STEPHEN  Bo  WEEKS 

CLASS  OF  1886;  PHD.  THE  JOHNS  HOPKINS  UNIVERSITY 


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SKETCHES, 


HISTORICAL  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL, 


OF  THE 


BROAD  RIVER  AND  KING'S  MOUNTAIN 


Baptist  A-Ssociations, 


FROM 


1800  to  1882. 


BY 


ode-a^goust  john  :r_  logan. 


TOGETHER    WITH 


&K  INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH  OF  THE  AUTHOR, 


BY 


R.  Ij.  Ryburn,  Esq. 


Shelby,  N.  C. 

Babington,  Roberts  &  Co. 

1887, 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1887  by 

L.  M.  Logan, 
In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  Washington,  D.  C. 


PREFACE.  iii 


PREFACE. 

It  has  long  been  the  desire  of  many  of  the  mem- 
bers both  of  the  Broad  River  and  King's  Mountain 
Associations  to  have  collated  in  a  small  volume  the 
principal  acts  or  records  of  the  two  bodies  from  the 
time  of  their  formation  up  to  the  present  period  ;  and 
heretofore,  both  have  had  published   synoptical   his-  i 

torical  accounts;  but  of  such  meagre  and  circumscrib- 

i 
ed  measure  as  to  prevent  the  attainment  of  the   very 

object  intended  in  the  undertaking.  It  was  certainly 
impossible  for  any  writer,  it  matters  not  how  great 
his  skill  in  condensation  or  brevity  of  style  to  force 
into  a  work  of  fifty  or  sixty  pages  the  bare  substance  of 
the  annual  doings  of  a  body  more  than  three-fourths 
of  a  century  in  age.  Nothing  in  the  way  of  detail 
could  be  given;  mere  mention  only  of  the  acts,  and  of 
the  principal  actors,  could  be  given;  who,  during  that 
long  period  of  time  were  conspicuously  connected  with 
the  business  matters  of  the  two  Associations.         ■ 

Having  now  before  us  an  unbroken  file  of  the 
Minutes  of  both  of  these  bodies;  and  with  them  the 
oft  repeated  encouragement  of  numbers  of  the  breth- 
ren of  both;  to  try  our  hand  on  a  work  of  this  char- 
acter; we  have  therefore,  after  due  reflection  upon  the 
subject,  and  invoking  the  guidance  of  Him  who  never 
errs,  concluded  to  submit  to  the  inspection  of  the 
public  the  following  pages,  and  while  we  entertain  no 
doubt  that  the  brethren  of  both  the  Associations  will 
eagerly  peruse  the  same,  we  however  ask  of  them 
while, 

To  our  motives  they  may  feel  ever  kind, 
Yet  to  our  errors  be  a  little  blind. 


iv  PREFACE. 

Many  of  the  abstruse  scriptural  difficulties  which 
formerly  agitated  the  minds  of  our  pioneer  brethren, 
and  sometimes  caused  divisions  and  distractions  in 
churches  will  appear  properly  solved,  while  many  of 
the  Circular  Letters  upon  very  important  subjects  of 
vital  interest  to  the  churches  then,  (and  in  many  in- 
stances of  equally  as  much  to  the  churches  now)  will 
appear  reproduced  and  be  placed  in  a  state  of  preser- 
vation, safe  from  the  threatening  gulf  of  oblivion. 
While,  too,  some  slight  knowledge  of  many  of  the 
pioneer  ministers  who  figured  in  the  early  days  of  the 
Broad  River  are  exhumed  and  preserved.  What  a 
pity  that  a  work  of  this  kind  had  not  been  sooner 
thought  of.  It  is  now  impossible  to  get  the  needed 
information  respecting  many  of  the  worthy  pioneer 
ministers  who  struggled  hard  with  theenemy  of  souls 
in  the  early  days  of  the  Association,  and  therefore, 
the  accounts  will  appear  but  scanty  indeed.  The  dates 
of  church  organization  has  been  very  loosely  pre- 
served in  the  Broad  River  and  King's  Monntain  Asso- 
ciation, so  much  so  that  it  has  been  a  deal  of  trouble 
to  the  writer  to  ascertain  and  set  forth  the  true  dates 
of  the  presbyteries,  and  of  whom  composed,  when 
churches  were  constituted.  Hoping  that  some  good 
will  be  realized  from  our  attempt  in  compiling  a  hand 
book  for  convenient  and  easy  reference  to  matters 
pertaining  mostly  to  -the  Baptist  family  residing  within 
the  bounds  of  Broad  River  and  King's  Mountain,  we 
therefore,  submit  it  for  what  it  may  be  worth,  praying 

the  blessing  of  God  upon  it. 

J.  R.  LOGAN. 
December  31,  1882. 


CONTENTS.  v 


CONTENTS. 


Introductory  Sketch  of  the  Author  by  R.  L.  Ryburn. 

.    .  CHAPTER  I 1-10 

Broad  River  Baptist  Association— Its  location— Origin  of  name- 
Resources — The  great  revival  from  1799  to  1803. 

CHAPTER  II 10-80 

Notices  of  the  Annual  sessions  to  1851  inclusive— No  published  Jour- 
nal of  the  organization.  (1800.) 

Session  of  1801. — Queries  sent  up  from  the  churches— Remarks — 
•System  of  the  Broad  River  Baptist  Association. 

Session  of  1802.— Coming  Ministers,  Jacob  Crocker,  Joshua  Richards 
and  Joroyal  Barnett. 

Session  of  1808.— Drury  Dobbins  and  Berryman  Hicks— Remarks- 
Queries. 

Session  of  1804.— Remarks— Queries  acted  on— Remarks  on  same. 

Session  of  1805.— Messengers— Remarks  on  Correspondence — Organ- 
ization— Queries  Answered. 

Session  of  1806.— Organization— Members  Dismissed— Remarks  Rel- 
ative to  Elder  Humphrey  Posey— Queries  Answered— Fast  Day 
— Remarks  on  the  Declension  of  Religion. 

Session  of  1807.— Formation  of  the  French  Broad  Association— Query 
answered— James  Biackwell  ex-communicated— Elder  Perniin- 
ter  Morgan. 

Seession  of  1808.— Remarks  on  the  declension  of  religion— Queries 
answered— RemarKs. 

Session  of  1809.— A  large  number  of  queries  answered— Elder  Daniel 
Hoyle. 

Session  of  1810.— Remarks  on  Drury  Dobbins  as  presiding  officer— 
Queries  answered— Union  meetings  to  arrange  the  sessions  es- 
tablished. 

Session  of  1811.— Queries— Remarks  on  the  Query  answered  in  the 
negative  by  the  Author.  Is  it  right  to  hold  members  in  fellow- 
ship who  belong  to  and  frequent  Masonic  Lodges?  also  remarks 
on  the  same  by  M.  C.  Barnett— Query  on  Matrimony  answered — 
Fast  day — Elder  David  Benedict,  the  historian. 

Session  of  1812. — Queries  reconsidered  and  answered— Two  impostors 
published,  Ledford  Paine  and  Samuel  T.  Council. 

Session  of  1813. — Remarks  on  the  revival  of  the  past  year  conducted 
by  Drury  Dobbins  and  Berryman  Hick — Queries  answered — 
Baptist  general  meeting,  Drury  Dobbins  and  Ambrose  Carlton 
appointed  delegates — Remarks  on  the  same — Seven  impostors 
published,  to-wit :  Samuel  Whitney,  W.  Davis,  Jesse  Hazael, 
John  McCreary,  W.  Thomas,  John  Williams  and  Dan'l  Brown. 
Remarks  on  the  same— Death  of  .Elder  Julius  Holland. 


vi  CONTENTS. 

Session  of  1814.— Held  at  Goucher  Creek— Introductory  sermon  by 
Ambrose  Carlton— Elder  Wm.  King. 

Session  of  1815. — Baptist  Board  for  missions — Remarks — Demise  of 
Elder  George  Brewton. 

Session  of  1816. — Elder  Luther  Rice,  agent  for  missions  — Ruhamah 
and  Zion  Churches  admitted — Queries  answered — Remarks  on 
Election — A  superanuuated  minister,  Ambrose  Carlton. 

Session  of  1817. — Query  on  alien  immersion  answered— The  conver- 
sion of  the  Heathen,  Elder  Luther  Rice— Elder  Hosea  Holcombe. 

Session  of  1818. — Queries  answered— Petition  to  district  the  Associa- 
tion— An  imposter  Mitchel  Austin— Elder  Wm.  King— Re- 
marks. 

Session  of  1819. —  Elder  Jacob  Crocker— Queries  answered — Mission- 
ary operations — Kehukee  Association. 

Session  of  1820. — Elder  Thomas  Bomar— New  Prospect.  Washing- 
ton, Cross  Roads  and  Macedonia  Churches  admitted— Queries 
answered — Remarks. 

Session  of  1821.— Elder  Samuel  Gibson — Baptist  Board  of  Missions — 
Corresponding  Messengers. 

Session  of  1822. — Camp's  Creek  church  admitted — Charleston  Asso- 
ciation— Baptist  Board  of  Foreign  Missions. 

Session  of  1823.— Queries  answered— Remarks  on  same — Elder  Jacob 
Crocker. 

Session  of  1824.— Elder  Fields  Bradshaw— State  Line  church  admit- 
ted— Query  from  Cedar  Springs  church  evasively  answered — 
South  Carolina  State  Convention— Demise  of  Deacons  Wm.  Lan- 
caster and  Wm.  Davidson. 

Session  of  1825.— Elder  Joel  Black  well— Ebenezer  church  admitted 
— Head  of  Euoree  and  Pacolet  churches  dismissed — An  impostor 
John  Roberts— Messengers,  to  wit :  Elders  Humphrey  Posey, 
Reuben  Coffee,  Nathan  Berry  and  Sam'l  Gibson. 

Session  of  182ft. — Mt.  Ararat  and  Bill's  Creek  churches  admitted- 
Bible  Societies— Messengers,  to- wit:  Elders  Thomas  Goodwin, 
Larkin  Stepp,  Stephen  Mangum,  Reuben  Coffee,  Elias  Mitchell, 
T.  S.  Green,  W.  Alexander  and  L.  Rector. 

Session  of  1827.— New  Bethany  aDd  Mt.  Zion  churches  admitted- 
Treating  Candidates  and  Drain-drinking — Catawba  River  Asso- 
ciation— Remarks  on  Prince  Alcohol. 

Session  of  1828.— North  Catawba,  Smyrna  and  Double  Springs  dis- 
missed— Query  answered — Impostors,  to-wit:  Wm.  King,  D. 
A.  Bulcom,  Doctor  Miller,  John  Smith,  Mark  Andrews,  Ran- 
dolph Mabry,  Leonard  Prather  and  Elisha  Revels— Remarks 
on  the  same. 

Session  of  1829— Query  answered— False  Teachers,  Jesse  Dinson 
and  Jeremiah  Canuon — Remarks. 

Session  of  183J.— Query  from  Macedonia  church— Elder  Jonathan 
Guthrie— Sabbath  Schools  and  Slaves— Demise  of  Elder  Thos. 
Bomar. 

Session  of  1831.— High  Shoals  Church  admitted— Queries  answered— 
Macedonia  committee  report— Remarks  on  Elder  Jonathan 
Guthrie. 

Session  of  1832.— Queries  answered— Pamphlet  entitled  Emancipa- 
tion of  Slaves  rejected— Remarks  on  the  same. 

Session  of  1833.— Queries  answered— Tyger  River  Association  Re- 
marks—Dr.  Saui'el  Wait— Fast  Day. 


CONTENTS.  vii 

Session  of  1S34.— Shiloh  church  admitted — James  M.  Webb's  first 
appearance— Demise  of  Elder  James  Lewis— East  days  and 
remarks  on  the  same. 

Session  of  1835. — Resolution  denouncing  the  circulation  of  certain 
incendiary  pamphlets  in  the  intent  of  the  Abolition  of  Slavery 
— Remarks  on  some  disorderly  preachers  viz.  Richard  Johnson, 
R.  Hendrine,  Samuel  Thompson  and  Jesse  Denson— Remarks 
on  the  same. 

Session  of  1836. — S.  G.  Hamilton— Personal  remarks  of  Author— Re' 
marks  and  extracts  from  circular  letter  prepared  by  Elder  Ber* 
ryman  Hicks  on  the  nature  of  Popery,  and  its  probable  tendency 
in  the  United  States  of  America. 

Session  of  1837, — The  demise  of  deacon  Wm.  Underwood. 

Session  of  1838. — The  demise  Elders  Joel  Blackwell  and  John  Padgett 

Session  of  1839. — Query  from  Green  River  church— Salem  Associati  on 

Session  of  1840.— Zion  Hill  church  admitted — Dr.  Felix  Littlejohn 
made  his  first  appearance — Participants  in  the  revival. 

Session  of  1841. — Elder  R.  P.  Logan  made  his  first  appearance— Re- 
marks relative  to  Elder  James  M.  Webb — A  petition  from  Cross 
Roads  church— Remarks  on  same. 

Session  of  1842.— Corinth,  Capernaum,  Bethlehem,  Sulphur  Springs 
and  Unity  churches  admitted— Elders  Jas.  D.  Crowder  and  M, 
C.  Barnett  made  their  first  appearance — Green  River  Association. 

Session  of  1843 —The  demise  of  Elder  Zechariah  Blackwell— Elder 
Wade  Hill  and  Thomas  Dixon  made  their  first  appearance. 

Session  of  1844. — Upper  Fair  Forest  and  Pacolet  churches  admitted 
—Query  from  Providence  church.  Tabled  remarks  on  the  same 
— Elder  Jno.  G.  Kendrick  made  his  first  appearance. 

Session  of  1845. — Double  Springs  church  admitted — Domestic  Mis- 
sion field  rejected— Elders  Drury  Scruggs  and  M.  C.  Barnett 
volunteers — Remarks  on  Temperance  and  Missions—  Cj,uery 
answered— E.  M.  Chaffin  published— Remarks  on  said  Chaffin— 
Demise  of  Elder  Jas.  D.  Crowder. 

Session  of  1846  — Gilead  chureh  admitted — Remarks  on  the  adoption 
of  circular  letter  prepared  by  W.  Hill  on  Domestic  missions,  also 
M.  C.  Barnetts'  account  of  same — Standing  delegates — Demise  of 
Elder  Joshua  Richards. 

Session  of  1847. — Shelby  and  Ephesus  churches  admitted — Queries 
answered — Catawba  Valley  mission — Fast  day — Memorial  ser- 
mon of  Drury  Dobbins  by  Elder  J.  M.  Webb— Remarks  by  the 
Author  and  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett— Obituary  notice  of  Drury 
Dobbins— The  Author's  and  M.  C.  Barnett's  account  of  a  con- 
troversy between  Drury  Dobbins  and  J.  M.  Webb  et.  al.  on  the 
question  of  the  Union  meetings  regulating  the  sessions  of  the 
Association. 

Session  of  1848.— Boiling  Springs  Mt.  Sinai  and  Bethel  churches  ad- 
mitted— A  revival  of  religion  —Queries  from  Philadelphia  and 
Cedar  spring's  churches  in  relation  to  representative  answered — 
Remarks  on  same  by  the  Author— A  disorderly  minister  J.  Q. 
Barber. 

Session  of  1849.— Salem  and  Mt.  Pleasant  churches  admitted— A 
petition  to  dissolve  Bethel  church  rejected — Missionary  report  of 
Elder  W.  Hill— Sabbath  Schools. 


trifi  CONTENTS. 

Session  of  1850. — Broad  River  church  admitteoS^Elders  T.  Dixon 
and  J.  Buttle  made  Licentiates — B.  E.  and  G.  W.  Rollins  made 
their  first  appearance  as  ministers. 

Session  of  1851. — Beaverdam  and  Pleasant  Hill  churches  admitted — 
Letters  of  dismission  granted  churches  to  form  the  King's  Mt. 
Association— Ignoring  the  wandering  Pilgrim — Remarks  or* 
same. 

CHAPTER    III 80-158. 

Notices  of  the  sessions  from  1851  to  1882. 

Session  of  1852. — Elder  W.  Hill  domestic  missionary  for  York  Dist.,. 
S.  C. — Wm.  Roberts  depository  for  missionary  fund — Long  Creek 
church  dismissed. 

Session  of  1853. — Enon  church  admitted — Broad  River  Missionary 
Society — Resolution  of  thanks  to  Thomas  Curtis,  D.  L\,  for  mis- 
sionary labors  at  Yorkville,  S.  C. — Resolution  against  distilling 
and  vending  ardent  spirits— Resolution  favoring  Sabbath  schools. 

Session  of  1854. — Union  church  admitted — Furman  University- 
Remarks  on  Sabbath  schools. 

Session  of  1855.—  Rutherfordton  church  admitted — Queries  from 
Cedar  Springs  answered — Resolution  on  Temperance — Resolu- 
tion of  thanks  to  the  Methodists  of  Shelby  N.  C. — Reports  on 
Sabbath  schools— Remarks  on  same. 

Session  of  1856. — Holly  Springs  church  admitted— Query  on  the 
annual  call  of  Pastor  answered — Dissolution  of  the  Broad  River 
Missionary  Society  and  the  Association  becomes  a  Missionary 
body— -Rutherfordton  church  assisted — Report  of  committee  on 
corresponding  minutes— Remarks  on  Sabbath  schools. 

Session  of  1857. — Mt.  Lebanon  church  admitted — Report  on  Sabbath 
schools — Remarks  on  same — Report  on  Finance— Report  of  Ex- 
ecutive Board  of  Missions — Remarks  and  resolution  on  same — 
Elder  L.  M.  Berry  agent  of  Domestic  and  Indian  Missions. 

Session  of  1858. — Executive  Board  of  Missions— Report  on  Finance 
— Report  of  Executive  Board— Sabbath  schools. 

Session  of  1859.— Mt.  Zion  church  admitted— Report  on  Sabbath 
schools-^Elder  Thos.  Curtis  D.  D.  perished  in  the  flames  of  the 
ill-fated  steamer  "North  Carolina" — Report  on  obituaries — Re- 
port of  the  Executive  Board  of  Missions — Remarks  on  same. 

Session  of  lb60. — Sardis  church  admitted — Distinguished  visitors,  E. 
A.  Crawly  D.  D.,  J.  O.  B.  Dargan  D.  D.,  W.  B.  Carson  and  J. 
E.  Rae — Query  from  Goucher  creek  answered — Synoptical  his- 
tory of  the  Association — Remarks  on  same — Report  on  Sabbath 
schools  by  Toliver  Davis — Distillers  of  ardent  spirits — Operations- 
of  the  Executive  Board. 

Session  of  1861.— Report  of  Treasurer  of  Executive  Board — Demise 
of  Elders  F.  W.  Littlejohu,  M.  Mullinax  and  J.  Suttle  and  Bro. 
J.  W.  Cooper— Resolution  endorsing  Secession — Remarks  on  the 
same. 

Session  of  18<i2.— Elders  W.  H.  Mcintosh  and  W.  D.  Rice— Report  of 
Executive  Board —Deceased  brethren  J.  G.  Mullinax,  E.  H. 
Smith  and  C.  P.  Petty — Resolution  requesting  prayer  for  the 
Confederate  Soldiers. 

Session  of  1863. — Shelby  church  admitted — Request  of  State  Line 
church  granted — Query  about  Confederate  deserters  answered 
— Operations  of  the  Missionary  Board — Remarks — Demise  of 
Deacons  James  Spears,    M.  S.  Kendrick  and  A.  Bonner. 


CONTENTS.  i  x 

Session  of  1864. — New  Prospect  and  Buffalo  churches  admited — 
Salem  church  dismissed — Report  of  committee  sent  to  State 
Line  church  in  regard  to  Drury  Scruggs — Action  of  the  Associa- 
tion in  reference  to  D.  Scruggs  and  the  State  Line  church — Re- 
marks on  same — Domestic  Missionary  Board — Demise  of  Deacons 
Win.  Ezell,  M.  T.  Pope,  Wm.  Spears"  and  Wm.  Moore. 

Session  of  18135. — Report  on  Sabbath  schools — Voluntary  Missionary 
labor  by  T.  R.  Gaines  and  T.  J.  Campbell— The  Board  of  Mis- 
sions dispensed  with  the  present  year — Demise  of  Deacons  Jos. 
Guytou  and  L.  Ferguson — Friendship,  the  oldest  church  in  the 
Association — Report  of  committee  on  Associational  correspond- 
ence. 

Session  of  1866. — York  ville  church  admitted — Distinguished  visitors — 
Change  in  the  action  of  State  Convention  and  remarks  on  same — 
Demise  of  Col.  James  Jeffries,  Toliver  Davis,  Philip  Watkins  and 
Wm.  Roberts — Report  of  committee  on  colored  people  and  re- 
marks on  same — Report  of  committee  on  correspondence. 

S  ession  of  1867. — Ordination  of  L.  C.  Ezell  and  remarks  on  the  same 
— History  of  the  Associatian — Report  of  Executive  Board. 

Session  of  186S. — J.  C.  Furman  D.  D.,  J.  C.  Landrum,  S.  Drummond 
and  T.  W.  Smith — Denominational  courtesy  extended  to  Revs. 
A.  A.  James  and  C.  S.  Baird — Associational  History — York  As- 
sociation— Report  of  Executive  Board  and  remarks  on  same — A 
standing  delegation — A  doubting  disciple— Mt.  Lebanon  church 
dismissed — Fast  day. 

Session  of  1869.— Visitors— T.  H.  Pope,  W.  T.  Walters  D.  D.,  W.  D. 
Elkin  and  T.  H.  Smith — Associational  History — Plead  Stone  for 
Z.  Blackwell  and  remarks  on  same— Sardis  "church — Standing 
delegation  again  and  remarks  on  same — Executive  Board. 

Session  of  1870— Visitors,  Elders  J.  K.  Mendenhall  D.  D.,  E.  A. 
Poe,  G.  W.  Rollins,  R.  P.  Logan,  N.  B.  Cobb,  B.  G.  Covington, 
and  J.  F.  Morall  D.  D. — Resolution  respecting  Furman  Univer- 
sity and  remarks  on  same— Sabbath  schools— Report  of  commit- 
tee on  Obituaries — Inquiry  respecting  Associational  History — 
Rutherfordton  church  dismissed— Report  of  Executive  Board  of 
Missions. 

Session  of  1871. — Pleasant  Grove  and  Brown's  Chapel  church  ad- 
mitted—Visitors, Elders  M.  V.  B.  Lank-ford,  T.  H.  Smith,  T.  R. 
Gaines  and  J.  L.  Vass — Elder  M.  C.  Barnett's  report  in  relation 
to  the  history  of  the  Association — Report  on  Temperance — De- 
mise of  Joseph  Mullinax — Gravestones  for  Z.  Blackwell  again — 
A  colored  Missionary  Baptist  Association — Shelby,  New  Prospect 
and  Capernaum  churches  dismissed — Report  of  committee  on 
Domestic  and  Indian  Missions — Report  of  Executive  Board  and 
remarks  on  same. 

Session  of  1872.  — Sandy  Springs  church  admitted— Palmetto  Orphan 
Home— Resolution  on  Systematic  Beneficence — Report  on  for- 
eign Missions — Executive  Board  of  Missions — Demise  of  Elder 
J.  G.  Kendriek  and  Deacon  E.  A.  Byers — Mt.  Zion  church  dis- 
missed. 

Session  of  1873.— Reportof  committee  on  Headstones  for  Z.  Blackwell 
— Report  of  Executive  Board  of  Missions— Demise  of  M.  C.  Bar- 
nett  and  Deacons  Thompson  Robbs  and  A.  Lovelace,  J.  M. 
Byars  and  Caroline  Moorehead,  Antioch  church  dismissed. 

Session  of  1874.— Visitors,  J.  B.  Patrick  and  Elders  G.  S.  Anderson 
and  Wm.  Williams  D.  D. — Report  of  committee  on  Tombstones 
for  Z.  BlackwTell— Report  of  Executive  Board— Demise  of  Elder 
Wm,  Curtis  L.  L.  D.  and  Deacon  James  Ezell — Resolution  in 
favor  of  J.  E.  Burgess. 


x  CONTENTS. 

Session  of  1S75. — Abington  creek  church  admitted — Report  of  Exec- 
utive Board  of  Missions — Retailing  Ardent  Spirits — Spartanburg 
Association — Demise  of  Deacon  John  Byars. 

Session  of  1876. — Messengers,  Elders  J.  G.  Landrum  and  J.  S.  Ezell 
— Report  of  Executive  Board  of  Missions  and  Remarks  on  same — 
Demise  of  Deacons  Edward  Lipscomb  and  L.  C.  Cements. 

Session  of  1877. — Mt.  Joy  church  admitted — Resolution  in  regard  to 
the  employment  of  an  Evangelist  and  Remarks  on  same — Demise 
of  Elder  A.  Padgett  and  Isaac  Peeler. 

Session  of  1878. — Cowpens  church  admitted — The  State  Board  repu- 
diBted — Report  of  Executive  Board  of  Missions — Demise  of  Dea- 
cons Absalom  Ward,  Jefferson  Mabry  and  A.  Aiken. 

Session  of  1879  —Grassy  Pond,  Cherokee  C'k,  New  Pleasant, Pleasant 
Grove  and  Bivingsville  churches  admitted — Elder  A.  W.  Lamar 
--Resolution  on  missionary  work — Demise  of  Elders  J.  Lee  and 
W.  Hill,  and  deacon  Williams  of  New  Prospect. 

Session  of  1880. — Beaverdam  church  admitted — Elder  W.  H.  Strick- 
land cor.  sec.  State  Mission  Board — Report  of  Executive  Board 
of  Missions  and  remarks  on  same — Demise  of  deacon  Woodward 
Allen,  James  K.  Finch  and  Robert  White. 

Session  of  1881. — Clifton  church  admitted — Messengers  Elders  W. 
L.  Brown,  J.  L.  Vass,  Charles  Manly,  D.  D.,  J.  G.  Landrum, 
Prof.  J.  B.  Patrick  and  R.  O.  Sams — Cooper  Limestone  Institute, 
Greenville  Military  Institute,  Furman  University,  Greenville 
Female  College,  Baptist  Courier  and  remarks  on  same — The  peo- 
ple suffering  greatly  from  drought — Prayer  for  the  President  of 
the  United  States — State  missions — Report  of  Executive  Board — 
The  last  address  by  Elder  J.  G.  Landrum  before  the  Broad  River 
Association — Demise  of  Eli  Bryant,  W.  L.  Brown  and  J.  F. 
Clary — Reflections  by  the  author. 

Session  of  1882. — Nazareth  church  admitted— Elders  Griffith,  Pitman , 
Foster  and  others — Remarks  on  the  session  by  the  author. 

CHAPTER  IV 158-244 

Organization  of  the  King's  Mountain  Baptist  Association — Boundary 
of  the  Association — Summary  of  proceedings — Corresponding- 
Letter. 

Session  of  1852. — High  Shoal  and  Mt.  Vernon  churches  admitted — 
Corresponding  bodies  represented  Broad  River,  Green  River  and 
Catawba — Fast  day  appointed. 

Session  of  1853. — Mt.  Paron,  Corinth  and  Big  Spring  Churches  ad- 
mitted— Temperance  resolution — Change  of  Constitution — Elders 
Dove  Pannell  and  Joseph  Suttle  were  appointed  Missionaries. 

Session  of  1854. — Sandy  Plains,  New  Prospect,  Bethlehem  and  Long 
Creek  churches  admitted — Bogus  delegates — Queries  answered — 
Preamble  and  Resolutions  in  regard  to  Ebenezer  church  and  Re- 
marks on  same — Report  of  Elders  Dove  Pannell  and  Joseph  Sut- 
tle Missionaries  to  Catawba  Valley. 

Session  of  1855. — Olivet,  St.  John's  and  Lebanon  churches  admitted 
— Missionary  Board,  J.  R.  Logan,  F.  S.  Ramsour  and  W.  K. 
Green — Free  will  offerings — Committee  of  inquiry  relative  to 
High  Shoal  church — Report  on  Sabbath  Schools. 

Session  of  1856.  -Shelby,  Concord  and  Thesalonica  churches  admit- 

.    ted — Report  of  R.  P.  Logan  and  remarks  on  same — Resolutions  on 

Temperance — Gaming  and  Dancing — Report  on  Sabbath  schools 

Report  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  visit  High  Shoal  church — 

Elder  R.  P.  Logan  again  employed  as  Missionary. 


CONTENTS.  xi 

Session  of  1S57. — Elder  L.  M.  Berry  agent  of  Domestic  and  Indian 
Mission  Board  of  Southern  Baptist  Convention — Resolution 
against  inviting  Pedo  Baptist  Ministers — Resolution  on  the  dis- 
mission of  members  and  Remarks  on  same. 

Session  of  1858. — Rejection  of  Shelby  church  and  Remarks  on  same — 
Resolution  of  sympathy  for  J  R.  Graves,  editor  of  the' 'Tennessee 
Baptist" — Funds  for  Missions. 

Session  of  1859. — Lincolnton  church  admitted — Elder  L.  M.  Berry 
made  his  first  appearance  as  a  delegate — Shelby  church  dis- 
missed— Report  on  Temperance  and  Resolution  and  Remarks  on 
same — Report  of  committee  on  state  of  religion — Revision  of  the 
Constitution  and  Remarks  on  same. 

Session  of  1860. — The  seceding  Session  on  the  subject  of  Temperance 
— Zion  Hill  church  admitted — Preamble  and  Resolutions  and  re- 
marks on  same — Revised  Constitution  of  the  King's  Mountain 
Baptist  Association. 

Session  of  1861 — Bethel  church  admitted— Another  preamble  and 
resolution  on  temperance — Report  of  com.  sent  to  Walls'  church 
— Letter  to  corresponding  bodies — Demise  of  Elder  Joseph  Sut' 
tie  and  deacon  Win.  Covington— Resolution  on  humiliation 
and  prayer. 

Session  of  1862. — Report  of  Elders  Lewis  McCurry  and  L.  M.  Berry 
as  Missionaries  to  the  Catawba  Valley — Intent  of  the  Temper- 
ance resolution — Preamble  and  resolution  against  specluators  and 
remarks  on  same — Objects  of  Associational  work — Buffalo,  New 
Prospect  and  St.  John's  churches  dismissed — Fast  days — Demise 
of  Solomon  Baker. 

Session  of  1863. — Sabbath  collection — Resolution  on  change  of  session 
— Notice  as  published  by  the  Broad  River  Association  of  Elder 
Drury  Scruggs  and  remarks  on  same 

Session  of  1864. — Elder  J.  K.  Howell  from  Central  Association — 
Elder  G.  M.  Webb  appointed  Sabbath  school  Missionary — Cor- 
responding letter. 

Session  of  1865.  — Queries  answered — Baptist  church  and  Sunday 
school  mesenger  and  remarks  on  same — G.  M.  Webb's  report  as 
S.  S.  agent — Reports  on  Domestic  Missions,  Temperance  and 
moral  aspects — State  of  the  country  and  remarks  on  same — Re- 
port of  committee  on  obituaries. 

Session  of  1866.  —Elder  D.  Pannell's  memorial  touching  matters  of 
grievance  from  brethren  composing  theso-called  "Constitutional 
King's  Mountain  Baptist  Association" — Preamble  and  resolution 
by  J.  H.  Yarboro — Committee  on  conference — Publication  of 
minutes  defered — Elder  John  S.  Ezell  appointed  to 
preach  introductory  sermon  to  the  proceedings  of  Convention — 
Query  from  Lincolnton  church  answered — Circular  letter  by  J. 
R.  Logan — Journal  of  the  convention  that  united  the  two  wings 
of  the  King's  Mountain  Association. 

Session  of  1867. — Re-districting  the  Association — Query  answered — 
Resolution  of  R.  Poston  requesting  the  churches  to  send  up  free 
will  offerings  for  Missions. 

Session  of  1868.— Visitors,  Elders  J.  S.  Ezell,  E.  Allison,  J.  J.  Jones 
and  brethren  WTm.  Walker,  Miles  T.  Walker  and  J.  H.  Mills- 
Oct.  29th  1868  set  apart  as  a  day  of  Humiliation  and  prayer — 
Objects  of  Associational  work. 

Session  of  1869.— The  payment  of  just  debts— Wake  Forest  benefi- 
ciaries— A  bequest  by  J.  J.  Hicks— Baptist  State  Convention — 
Demise  of  Deacon  Daniel  Hamrick. 

B 


xii  CONTESTS. 

Session  of  1870. — Report  of  committee  on  Missions — Brethren  J.  A. 
Roberts,  E.  J.  Lovelace  and  J.  C.  Lattiniore  appointed  a  Mis- 
sionary Board. 

Session  of  1871. — Capernaum,  Shelby  and  New  Prospect  churches 
admitted — Change  in  abstract  of"  principles — Report  of  the  com- 
mittee on  state  of  religion — Demise  of  Deacon  Samuel  Hart-ill. 

Session  of  1S72. — Mt.  Zion  church  admitted — Corinth  church  dis- 
missed—  Report  of  committee  on  Missions — Newton  J.  Long  and 
his  body  guard  of  United  States  cavalry  and  remarks  on  same — 
Report  on  Temperance — Report  of  committee  on  obituaries — 
Systematic  beneficence — Demise  of  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett. 

Session  of  187.S. — Antioch  church  admitted — Report  of  Missions  by 
J.  D.  Hufbam — Bethel  church  (Iredell)  dismissed — Fast  day — 
Committee  to  revise  constitution . 

Session  of  1874. — New  Hope  church  admitted — Report  of  committee 
on  revision  of  constitution  tabled  and  remarks  on  same— Report 
on  Education  by    R.  H.    Bridges — Demise  of  L.    R.     Rollins  a 
'      young  minister. 

Session  of  1875.— Buffalo  church  again  admitted — Objects  of  Assoei- 
ational  Work — Elder  J.  B.  Richardson — Lincolnton  church  dis- 
missed— Query  from  Double  Springs  answered. 

Session  of  1876. — (Queries  from  Zoar  church  answered — Sunday  ser- 
vices conducted  by  Elders  J.  B.  Richardson,  A.  L.  Stough  and 
G.  M.  Webb. 

Session  of  1877. — Gastonia  church  admitted — Distinguished  visitors 
—Report  on  missions  by  G.  M.  Webb — Report  on  Temperance  by 
A.  L.  Stough — Resolution  by  Bro.  R.  E.  Porter  endorsing  the 
King's  Mountain  Female  Seminary — Report  of  committee  on 
Female  College  and  Remarks  on  same — Olivet  church  dismissed. 

Session  of  1878. — Report  of  Board  of  Associational  Missions— Board 
of  Missions  discontinued  and  B.  H.  Bridges  made  Associational 
Treasurer— Queries  from  Wall's  and  Pleasant  Hill  churches 
answered — Remarks  on  query  from  Pleasant  Hill — Report  on 
Education  by  J.  A.  White— King's  Mountain  Female  College 
again  and  remarks  on  same — Demise  of  Deacon  Jno.  Kendrick. 

Session  of  1879. — Pleasant  Grove  and  State  Line  churches  admitted — 
Eiders  H.  Hatcher  and  T,  H.  Pritchard  D.  D.— Demise  of  Elder 
W.  Hill  and  brethren  James  Poston  (licentiate)  Deacons  A.  S, 
Elam,  Henderson  Roberts  and  W.  R.  Roberts. 

Session  of  1SS0. — Long  creek  and  Dallas  churches  admitted — Mes- 
engers,  Elders  J.  C.  Grayson,  Lewis  McCurry,  H.  Hatcher.  T. 
Harrison  and  J.  M.  Williams — Demise  of  Deacon   G.   Herndon. 

Session  of  1881. — Visitors,  Elders  J.  B.  Boone,  W.  L.  Brown  and 
Prof.  H.  W.  Reinhardt — Report  on  Education  by  H.  W.  Rein- 
hard  t— Report  on  Sabbath  schools  by  A.  A.  McSwain — Report 
on  Foreign  Missions  by  A.  L.  Stough — Report  on  State  Missions 
by  W.  A.  Nelson — Report  on  Home  and  Indian  Missions  by  P. 
R.  Elam — A.  L.  Stough  appointed  missionary- -Report  on  reli- 
gious Literature  by  B.  H.  Bridges — Resolution  of  T.  D.  Latti- 
more  and  remarks  on  same — Report  on  obituaries  by  J.  R.  Logan 

Session  of  1882. — Ross'  Grove,  Zion  Hill,  Loenard's  Fork,  Shady 
Grove  and  Fair  View  churches  admitted— Report  of  committee 
on  State  Missions — Report  of  A.  L.  Stough  as  missionary — De- 
mise of  Elder  R.  P.  Logan  and  Deacons  "Abraham  Hardin  and 
George  Ham  rick. 


■CONTENTS. 


xm 


CHAPTER  V 245  to  248 

Summary  of  the  Journalistic  part  of  the  work. 
CHAPTER  VI. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


Abernethv,  A- 249 

Allen,  W  (Deacon) 254 

Barnett,  J 255 

Barnett,  M  C 255 

Berry,  L  M 262 

Bonner,  B 287. 

Blackwell,  Z 268 

Blackwell,   J 269 

Boniar,   T 271 

Brewton,   G 273 

Blackwell,  Jno 273 

Brown,  W  L 274 

Burgess,  T 274 

Burgess,  J  E 275 

Bridges,  J  M 276 

Byers,  J 276 

Blythe,  S j 276 

Bankstone,  J 277 

Biadshaw,  F 277. 

Camp,  J 277 

Carlton,  A 278 

•Cantrell,    1 279 

Crocker,  J 279 

Causler,  A  J 282 

Campbell,  T  J 287 

Carlton,  T 288 

Carpenter,  D 288 

Carter,  J  G 289 

Cobb,  N  B 296 

Chaffin,  E  M : 297 

Curtis,  W  (L.  L.  D.) 29S 

Curtis,  T  (D.  D.) 304 

Crowder,  J  D 338 

Craig,  T... 339 

Crow,  A 339 

Cockerham ,  W 339 

Carroll,  H  W  (licentiate) 339 

Dalton,  J 340 

Davidson,  A  J ...3->0 

Dixon,  T 341 

Dixon,  AC 345 

Doyale,  D 346 

Dobbins,  D 346 

Durham,  J 369 

Durham,  C 370 

Elam,  P  R ..370 

Ezell,  J   S 371 

Ezell,  L  C 381 

Forest,  D 381 

Forest,  W  M .' 382 

Gaines,  TR 382 

Gibson,  S 386 

Gold,  P   D 389 

Grayson,  J  C 390 

Grogan,  T 395 

Guthrie,  J 396 


Hamilton,  S  G 396 

Hamrick,  GP 403 

Harrill,  W 404 

Harris,  J  L 404 

Harguess,  A. 


404 

Holland,  J 405 

Hannon,  W 405 

Henderson,  H 405 

Hicks,  B 406 

Hill,  W 418 

Hilderbrau,  A 427 

Holcombe,  H 427 

Huett.  J 428 

Hollvheld,  J ...42S 

Hovle,  J  A 429 

Hall,  J 429 

Irvin,  A  C 430 

Jackson,  N 431 

Jones,  J  J.... >. 431 

Justice,  T  B 432 

Kendrick,JG 433 

King,  W 436 

Kuykendall,    J 438 

Kirby,  B  T 439 

Landrum,  J  G 439 

Lankford,  \V 460 

Lemons,  I ; ....460 

Lewis,  J 461 

Lewis,  J  W 462 

Lee,  J 467 

Leatherman,  J  F 46S 

Lee,  J  K 468 

Littleiohn.  b"  VV 468 

Lindsey,  W 469 

Lyon.  J 469 

Lancaster,  W  D 470 

Logan,  R  P 470 

McDougald,  H 471 

McBee,"E 472 

Mallary,  RD 472 

McCraw,  J    M 472 

McSwain,  W 473 

Morgan.  P 473 

McKissiek,  1 474 

Martin,   W 474 

Moore,  H 474 

McSwain,  A  A 475 

Moorehead,  W  G 480 

McSwain,  S  H 4S0 

Morgan,  S 481 

Mullinax.  M 481 

Moss,  N  H ....481 

Mulinax,  T  H 482 

Muliiuo,  P  S 482 

Nelson,  W  A 483 

Owens,  M  C , 4S3 


XlV 


CONTENTS. 


Pannell,  M 484 

Padgett,  J 484 

Padgett,  A 485 

Padgett,  W  B 486 

Poston,  F  H 487 

I       Pannell,  D 487 

Phillips,  G 491 

Posey,  H 49a 

Poston,  R 493 

Pursley,  T  K 496 

Quinn,  H  (licentiate) 497 

Rainwaters,  J 500 

Ranisour.  P 500 

Rice,  T  S 504 

Richards,  J 504 

Rollins,  G  W 506 

Rollins,  B  E 510 

Ruppe,  J 511 

Shad  wick  L 513 

Stough,  A  L ..513 

Styers,  J  P 515 


Suttle,    J 515 

Tate,  W  T 524 

Taylor,  T  J 525 

Turner,  J 527 

Tollison,    J 527 

Underwood,  E  J 52S 

West,  J 528 

Weathers,    T 528 

Webb,  J  M . 528 

Webb,  A 540 

-  Whitten,  J  (licentiate) 541 

Webb,  G   M 542 

Wilkie,   G 547 

Williams,  J  M 548 

Wilkie,  W 549 

Wilkie,  J 550 

White,  W 550 

Williams,    M 550 

Wray,  D 551 

White,  J  A 551 

Yorboro,  J  H 552 


CHAPTER  VII. 

SKETCHES  OF  THE  CHURCHES  OF  THE  BROAD  RIVER  ASSOCIATION. 


Abingdon  Creek 556 

Arrowood 557 

Bethesda , 557 

Bivingsville 558 

Beaverdam 558 

Brown's  Chapel 558 

Buck  Creek 559 

Camp's  Creek 560 

Cedar  Springs 561 

Cherokee  Creek  .562 

Clifton 562 

Corinth 563 

Cowpens 563 

El  Bethel 564 

Friendship 565 


Gilead 566 

Goucher  Creek 566 

Grassy  Pond 567 

Macedonia 568 

Mt.  Ararat , 569 

Mt.  Joy 570 

New  Pleasant 570 

Pacolet 571 

Pacolet  No.  2 572 

Piedmont 572 

Providence 572 

Sandy  Springs 573 

State  Line 574 

Unity 575 

Zion  Hill 575 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

SKETCHES  OF  THE  CHURCHES  OF  THE  KINGS'S  MOUNTAIN  ASSOCIATION. 


Antioch 576 

Beaverdam 578 

Bethel 578 

Bethlehem 579 

Big  Springs 580 

Boiling  Spring 581 

Buffalo 582 

Capernaum 584 

Concord 585 

Dallas 585 

Double  Springs 586 

Fair  View 587 

Gaston  ia 587 

High  Shoals 588 

Leonard's  Fork 589 

Long  Creek 589 

Mt.  Harmony 590 


Mt.  Paron 591 

Mt.   Pleasant 591 

Mt.  Sinai 592 

Mt.  Vernon 593 

New  Bethel 593 

New   Hope 594 

New  Prospect 595 

Pleasant  Grove  596 

Pleasant  Hill 596 

Ross'  Grove 59d 

Sandy  Ruu 599 

Shadv  Grove 600 

Shelby 601 

State  Line 6U2 

Walls 602 

Zion 603 

Zoar 603 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE  AUTHOR  xv 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE  AUTHOR, 
JOHN  R.  LOGAN. 

'    "  Stillest  streams 
Oft  water  fairest  meadows,  and  the  bird 
That  flutters  least  is  lemgest on  the  wing.  " 

"Common  sense  in  an  uncommon  degree  is  what  the  world  calls 
wisdom.  " — Coleridge. 

'•  From  a  child  thou  hast  known  the  holy  scriptures,  which  are 
able  to  make  thee  wise  unto  salvation.  " — 2.  Tim.  i   15. 

"Grown  ripe  in  years  and  old  in  piety.  " — Prior. 
The  author  of  this  valuable  church  history,  John  Ran- 
dolph Logan,  was  born  on  April  10th,  1811,  in  the  county  of 
York,  South  Carolina.  Amid  very  humble  surroundings 
he  first  saw  the  light,  and  his  early  childhood  gave  little 
promise  of  that  long  career  of  usefulness  and  honor  which 
was  his.  Of  his  early  trials,  of  the  difficulties  with  which 
he  had  to  contend,  of  the  disadvantages  under  which  he 
labored,  and  of  the  manner  in  which  even  in  those  early  days 
he  rose  superior  to  all  obstacles  and  to  his  surroundings,  but 
little  is  known.  When  and  where,  and  under  whose  train- 
ing he  began  to  develope  those  sterling  traits  of  character 
which  made  him  a  conspicuous  figure  throughout  his  entire 
lifetime  cannot  now  be  ascertained.  We  find  him,  however, 
when  he  had  first  arrived  at  his  majority  filling  a  position  of 
trust  and  confidence  in  his  own  county  and  state,  and  from 
this  time  up  to  his  death  his  life  was  brimful  of  useful  service 
both  in  church  and  in  state. 

John  R.  Logan  as  soon  as  he  had  come  of  age  acquired 
a  knowledge  of  surveying,  and  for  more  than  fifty  years  he 
was  more  or  less  actively  engaged  in  this  business.  Perhaps 
there  is  no  incident  in  his  life  more  characteristic  of  the  man 
than  this  one  which  happened  in  his  early  manhood.  Abra- 
ham Hardin,  a  surveyor  of  the  old  time,  became  interested 
in  him  and  recognized  in  him  a  young  man  of  more  than 
average  abilitv.  He  saw  that  he  w7as  ambitious  to  learn,  full 
of  energy  and  dogged  perseverence,  and  willing  to  make  any 
sacrifice  to  secure  mental  improvement.  He  accordingly  de- 
cided to  teach  him  the  art  of  surveying,  and   he   found  him 


x-vi     BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE  AUTHOR 

from  the  very  first  an  apt  pupil.  After  Mr.  Hardin  had 
perfected  young  Logan's  training,  he  was  accosted  by  the-  ' 
latter  one  day  who  inquired  what  his  charges  for  the  services 
he  had  rendered  him  were.  Mr.  Hardin-  refused  to  accept 
anything,  saying  it  had  been  a  pleasure  to  him  to  instruct 
and  thus  to  assist  so  worthy  a  young  man.  But  young  Logan 
was  not  satisfied  with  this,  and  despite  all  Mr.  Hardin's  re- 
monstrances, he  secured  a  mattock,  joined  the  other  hands- 
in  the  newground,  and  did  for  Mr.  Hardin  as  many  days 
faithful  grubbing  as  he  had  spent  in  teaching  him.  What  a 
flood  of  light  this  incident  throws  upon  the  character  of  the- 
man  !  How  does  the  simple  recital  of  it  open  up  to  our 
vision  his  whole  inner  nature  !  Is  it  any  wonder  that  one 
in  whom  the  sense  of  gratitude  was  thus  embodied  should 
have  through  all  his  days  worn  uthe  white  flower  of  a  blame- 
less life"?" 

We  are  not  surprised  to  find  thai?  as  a  surveyor  John 
R.  Logan's  services  were  in  great  demand.  There  are  few 
homesteads  in  Cleveland  county  that  have  not  been  run  ofF 
by  him,  and  one  now  in  the  examination  of  titles  constantly 
meets  with  his  old  plats  and  surveys.  This  work  is  done 
with  great  neatness  and  cleverness.  The  drawings  evidence  a 
skilled  and  experienced  hand,  and  the  whole  mechanical  execu- 
tion of  his  plats  is  of  the  first  order.  Surveying  in  those  early 
days  in  which  John  R.  Logan  acquired  it  was  a  much  more 
lucrative  and  honorable  profession  than  now.  It  was  an  art 
that  the  common  people  could  hot  easily  comprehend,  and  a 
surveyor  was  regarded  with  a  kind  of  awe,  and  looked  up  to 
as  a  superior  both  mentally  and  socially.  Whatever  may 
have  induced  John  R.  Logan  to  adopt  this  calling,  it  is  cer- 
tain that  throughout  his  life  it  was  a  source  of  profit  as  well 
as  much  pleasure  to  him. 

But  to  speak  of  John  R.  Logan  as  a  surveyor  by  profes- 
sion is  perhaps  misleading.  He  engaged  in  many  kinds  of 
work,  always  doing  whatever  his  hands  found  to  do  and 
doing  it  well.  As  a  voung  man  he  taught  school  in  York 
county.  He  was  an  acting  Justice  of  the  Peace  there  also  for 
several  years,  but  when  he  moved  over  the  line  into  Cleve- 
land county,  (then  Rutherford)  which  he  did  in  the  year  1836, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE  AUTHOR.        xvii 

ho  located  on  a  farm.  And  during  the  whole  forty-eight 
years  in  which  he  lived  in  this  the  county  of  his  adaption, 
he  owned  and  suceesfully  operated  a  farm.  Surveying  may, 
therefore,  be  said  to  have  been  more  of  a  diversion,  while 
farming  was  the  serious  business  of  his  life.  lie  was  not 
afraid  of  toil,  but  worked  with  his  own  hands,  and  counted 
honest  labor  honorable.  Few  men  have  done  the  untiring- 
manual  labor  that  John  R.  Logan  did  without  dropping  into 
a  narrow  groove,  loosing  interest  in  public  affairs,  and  sadly 
neglecting  the  wants  of  their  higher  natures.  But  he,  while 
he  knew  not  what  idleness  was,  always  took  a  deep  interest 
in  public  affairs,  rendering  valuable  public  service  himself 
oftentimes,  and  more  he  never  allowed  his  mental  needs 
and  spiritual  wants  to  be  neglected,  but  was  all  through  lite 
a  close  student  and  an  active  church  worker. 

John  R.  Logan  filled  a  number  of  positions  of  public; 
trust  here,  and  he  always  filled_them  with  great  acceptability 
to  the  people.  Shortly  after  coming  into  North  Carolina  he 
was  appointed  deputy  sheriff  under  Charles  Blanton,  and  he 
held  this  position  for  some  time.  He  was  County  Superin  • 
tendent  of  Public  Instruction  during  the  entire  term  of  office 
of  that  great  father  of  common  school  education  in  North 
Carolina,  Calvin  II.  Wiley,  and  Cleveland  county  has  had 
no  more  active  and  energetic  educational  worker  than  he 
made  during  the  years  of  this  service.  Then  he  was  for  a 
number  of  years  county  surveyor.  Before  the  war  and  in  the 
days  when  the  good  old-fashioned  county  courts  were  in 
vogue,  John  R.  Logan  was  almost  constantly  a  member  of 
ours,  and  not  unfrequently  he  was  its  chairman.  He  was  in 
sympathy  with  the  nullification  movement  in  his  native  state 
and  was  a  staunch  advocate  of  states'  rights.  His  views  on 
these  were  never  changed.  And  after  the  war  he  was  for 
several  years  county  commissioner,  an  office  the  most  honor- 
able in  the  gift  of  the  county.  Besides  he  was  for  three  terms 
a  member  of  the  state  legislature.  In  the  years  1860-'61  his 
compeer  was  Abraham  G.  Walters^  in  1862-'63 David  Beam, 
and  in  1865-'66  Capt.  J.  "W.  Gidney.  As  a  legislator  he  was 
faithful  to  his  constituents'  everv  interest — a  hard-workino;, 
conscientious,  and  intelligent  representative.  There  were 
*C 


xviii       BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 

doubtless  other  positions  of  public  trust  held  by  him,  but 
these  will  suffice.  These  show  the  esteem  and  confidence  in 
which  he  was  held  by  his  people,  and  these  carry  with  them 
their  own  eulogy.  John  R.  Logan  was  a  self-made  man.  He 
had  no  early  educational  advantages,  and  yet  despite  this 
tact  he  won  honors  which  do  not  come  to  every  man.  Had 
he  l>een  broadened  and  developed  by  a  liberal  education,  he 
would  have  taken  high  rank.  As  it  was,  by  dint  of  his  own 
energy  and  by  setting  before  himself  only  high  ideals,  he 
added  honor  to  himself  and  left  a  gracious  memory  to  his 
children. 

But  while  John  R.  Logan  rendered  valuable  public 
service  in  his  day,  still  it  was  perhaps  in  church  that  he  did 
the  most  lasting  good.  He  was  baptized  into  the  fellowship 
of  the  Antioch  Baptist  church  of  York  county,  South  Caroli- 
na, August  4th,  1833.  Three  years  later  he  came  to  Cleve- 
land, and  he're  he  joined  the  Broad  River  Association  at 
Zion  church,  and  at  that  session  was  made  its  reading  clerk. 
For  a  number  of  years  he  was  clerk  of  this  body,  and  when 
the  King's  Mountain  Association  was  organized  he  was  con- 
tinued in  this  position  during  man}-  years.  When  Zoar Bap- 
tist church  was  dedicated  in  1838,  he  was  made  a  deacon,  and 
was  for  years  one  of  the  pillars  of  this  church.  He  was  ever 
zealous  in  church  work.  While  he  had  deep  denominational 
convictions,  he  was  in  no  wise  narrow  and  sectarian,  but 
when  his  own  church  duties  would  permit  was  often  times 
found  worshipping  with  congregations  ofa  different  religious 
faith  from  himself.  He  came  into  this  section  when  his 
church  as  an  organized  religious  body,  was  in  its  forma- 
tion period,  and  his  fine  executive  abilities  and  his  sturdy 
common  sense  were  invaluable  to  it.  It  is  regrettable  that 
some  older  hand — some  fellow-worker  in  those  important 
labors  could  not  have  performed  this  task,  and  done  him  that 
completer  justice  than  I  may  hope  to  do,  and  that  he  so  em- 
inently deserves.  But  need  much  be  said  about  the  religious 
side  of  his  life  ?  Is  not  this  work  itself  a  sufficient  commen- 
tary upon  it?  Who  but  a  devout  christian — who  but  an 
active  church  woiker— would  have  undertaken  and  completed 
so  laborious  a  task  ?     Its  every  page  breathes  of  his  religious 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE  AUTHOR.         xix 

fervor,  and  its  every  line  tells  the  story  of  his  christian  walk 
and  conversation.  Few  laymen  womd  have  been  found  with 
the  consecration  to  undertake  such  a  work.  But  it  has  been 
done  with  a  faithful  and  painstaking  hand.  To  a  peculiar 
fitness  for  the  task  by  reason  of  his  intimate  connection  with 
these  early  churches,  the  author  has  brought  an  appreciation 
■of  the  euhrch's  early  struggles,  and  a  love  for  its  cause  that 
are  most  rare.  And  to  him  the  church  owes  a  lasting  debt 
-of  gratitude. 

But  after  all  it  is  John  R.  Logan,  the  man,  that  is  most 
interesting.  Important  as  his  public  service  was,  invaluable 
■as  his  labors  for  the  church  were,  we  turn  aside  from  these 
to  admire  him  as  a  man.  In  person  he  was  not  a  striking 
figure,  and  yet  he  was  such  a  man  as  would  attract  attention 
in  any  crowd.  His  head  was  large  and  well  shaped  and  his 
prominent  forehead  indicated  great  intellectual  force.  He 
had  in  his  early  days  an  erect  carriage  and  was  withal  a 
handsome  figure.  But  it  is  his  character  more  than  his  per- 
son tb.at  attracts  us.  He  was  a  full-rounded  christian  gen- 
tleman. In  all  his  associations  he  was  characterized  by  a 
gentle  dignity,  an  unconscious  grace,  and  a  tender  sympathy 
for  his  fellows  that  marked  him  as  one  of  nature's  noblemen. 
He  was  twice  married.  In  the  year  1836  he  married  Sarah  P. 
Jackson,  daughter  of  David  Jackson,  of  York  county,  S.  C, 
and  from  this  union  there  were  six  sons  and  four  daughters 
born  to  him.  His  first  wife  having  died,  he  again  married, 
and  this  in  the  }Tear  1870  to  II.  E.  Allison,  daughter  of  Hugh 
Allison,  of  the  same  county  and  state  from  which  he  took 
his  first  wife.  The  children  of  this  marriage  were  two 
daughters  and  one  son.  It  will  be  seen  that  he  was  the 
father  of  a  large  family,  and  it  is  in  the  domestic  circle  that 
his  graces  of  character  are  best  studied.  As  a  father  he  was 
loving  and  affectionate,  but  never  demonstrative.  He  called 
forth  the  highest  respect  from  his  children.  They  regarded 
him  as  a  friend  as  well  as  a  father,  and  confided  in  him  to  a 
degree  that  children  rarelv  do.  He  endeavored  to  brino-  up 
his  children  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord,  and 
required  a  rigid  observance  of  the  Sabbath  from  them.  Two 
of  his  sons  died  as  brave  christian  soldiers  in  the  war,  and  of 


XX  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 

those  that  are  now  living  all  are  leading  useful  and  honors- 
ble  lives.  His  was  a  smooth,  even  disposition.  He  was 
never  meddlesome,  quarrelsome,  or  fractions,,  but  when 
aroused  had  all  the  determination  and  combativeness  one 
could  ask.  He  could  never  brook  imposition  whether  prac- 
ticed upon  himself  or  upon  others.  This  aroused  all  the 
wrath  of  his  nature  and  put  him  in  arms  at  once.  He  was 
a  kind  and  accommodating  neighbor,  always  a  friend  in  need,, 
and  a  strong  arm  of  sympathy  in  distress.  He  was  noted  for 
his  hospitality  and  the  fathers  of  the  church  always  made  his 
home  a  stopping  place,  for  they  always  found  the  latch 
strings  on  the  outside.  He  was  in  his  element  with  these. 
Nothing  was  more  pleasant  to  him  than  to  go  over  his  well 
stocked  library  and  with  them  to  discuss  books  and  religious 
tenents.     And  doubtless  it  was  a  mutual  pleasure., 

But  why  go  on  to  particularize  ?  Justinian  summed  up 
all  law  and  good  living  in  the  following  maxim :  "Live 
honestly,  do  no  harm,  and  render  to  each  man  his  own." 
John  R.  Logan  filled  up  to  the  full  measure  of  this  both  ir> 
the  letter  and  in  the  spirit.  When  it  is  said  he  was  a  chris- 
tian gentleman,  all  has  been  said  that  could  be  said.  His 
life  was  fall  of  fragrance  as  the  lives  of  good  men  always  are. 
His  was  a  character  that  must  havehadits  influence  for  good 
on  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  His  is  a  memory 
that  is  well  worth  preserving.  His  is  a  name  of  which 
his  children,  his  county,  and  his  church  may  well  be 
proud. 

On  April  14th,  1884,  while  at  work  on  his  farm  John 
R.  Logan  was  stricken  with  apoplexy  and  died.  "Grown 
ripe  in  years  and  old  in  piety,"  he  drifted  out  on  the  dark  and 
unknown  sea  that  rolls  around  all  the  world.  JSTo,  not  upon 
an  unknown  sea,  for  his  faith  was  sure  and  his  hope  was  un- 
wavering. Like  a  full  ripe  shock  of  grain  he  was  garnered, 
and  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  he  slept  the  sleep  of  the 
righteous,  lying  down  in  peace  and  in  honor.  May  this  brief 
glance  at  his  life  lead  the  reader  to  a  desire  for  that  fuller  and 
better  acquaintance  with  him,  which  will  come  from  a  caretu^ 
perusal  of  this  work. 


THE 

RIVER  BAPTIST 


IATION. 


-O — O- 


CHAPTER  I. 

ITS   LOCALITY— ORIGIN    OF    NAME-RESOURCES-THE    GREAT   REVIVAL 

FROM  1799  TO  1803. 

This  body  was  originally  composed  of  churches  situate 
mostly  on  the  waters  of  Main  Broad  River;  from  which  cir- 
cumstance it  derives  its  name.  The  Broad  River,  which  was 
no  doubt  so-called  by  the  aboriginal  inhabitants  of  the  sur- 
rounding country,  is  a  magnificent  stream,  having  its  source 
in  the  famous  Alleghany  Blue  Ridge,  which  separates  the 
waters  that  flow  through  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  from 
those  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky.  This  notable  river  has 
many  tributaries,  and  as  some  of  the  churches  composing 
the  Association  derive  their  names  from  them,  it  will  there- 
fore not  be  amiss  to  mention  some  of  the  most  prominent. 
We  first  notice  the  Green  River,  and  Mountain  Creek;  then 
the  Second  Broad,  with  its  tributaries,  Bill's  Creek,  Cane 
Creek,  Robison's  and  Cathey's;  then  as  tributaries  of  First 
Broad  River,  Sandy  Run,  Beaverdam  and  Brushy  Creek;  and 
after  crossing  the  First  Broad — Boren's  River,  Main  Buffalo, 
Muddy  Fork  of  Buffalo,  King's  Creek  and  Bullock's  Creek, 
which  all  empty  into  Main  Broad  from,  the  North  side.  On 
the  South  side  are  Ashworth's  Creek,  Camp's,  Sarratt's, 
Cherokee,  Thickety  and  Goucher's  Creeks.  The  Pacolets, 
(North  Prong  and  Lawson's  Fork)  Tiger,   Enoree   and   the 

Saluda,  with  their  tributaries  all  run  into  Main  Broad  River. 
1 


2  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

The  Fren  ch  Broad  with  its  branches,  the  Doe  and  Wau- 
tauga,  have  their  sources  in  the  same  dividing:  rid^e  of  the 
Alleghanies,  as  have  also  theJSTolachucky  and  Holston. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  Broad  River  Association  when  first  organized  in 
1800,  consisted  of  fourteen  churches,  dismissed  by  letter  from 
the  Bethel  Association,  to-wit:  Tiger  River,  Boiling  Spring, 
Green's  Creek,  Goucher  Creek,  Sandy  Run,  Buffalo,  Green 
River,  Cedar  Springs,  French  Broad,  Mountain  Creek,  Bill's 
Creek,  State  Line,  Buck  Creek  and  Long  Creek  to  which 
were  added  Silver  Creek  and  Caney  River,  new  constitutions, 
making  a  body  of  sixteen  in  all.  These  churches  were  sit- 
uated in  the  north-west  corner  of  South  Carolina,  and  in 
the  adjoining  parts  of  North  Carolina.  The  original  area 
extending  as  it  then  did  over  the  Blue  Ridge  to  the  French 
Broad,  must  have  exceeded  over  three  thousand  square 
miles.  A  large  portion  of  this  territory  is  fertile  and  partic- 
ularly on  the  water  courses  well  adapted  to  the  growth  of  the 
cereals;  while  the  uplands  or  ridge  portion  is  now  greatly  in 
demand  for  the  production  of  cotton  and  the  various  fruits 
indigenous  to  the  climate  or  country.  Everything  consid- 
ered, soil,  climate,  water  power,  society  and  many  other  ad- 
vantages generally  desired  but  too  tedious  to  enumerate, 
render  this  one  of  the  most  desirable  places  to  locate  in  that 
we  have  any  knowledge  of.  In  point  of  substantial  wealth 
as  a  community  it  has  few  superiors. 

CONTEMPLATED    TRANSPORTATION. 

Before  the  era  of  steam  or  rairoads  had  dawned  upon 
this  country,  an  enterprising  companj'  had  anticipated  the 
practicability  of  navigating  the  Broad  River  with  small  craft 
as  high  up  as  the  present  Ellis'  Ferry,  and  had  actually  with 
a  view  to  an  improvement  of  that  kind,  laid  off  and  disposed 
of  the  lots  preparatory  to  the  erection  of  a  town  on  the  East 
side  of  the  River,  opposite  said  ferry,  which  in  honor  of 
Aaron  Burr  they  named  Burrtown.  But  the  perfidy  ot  Burr, 
which  soon  after  developed  itself,  and  the' subsequent  agita- 
tion and  success  of  steam  power  in  the  shape  of  railroad  con- 
veniences arrested  the  progress  of  this  internal  improvement 
measure  and  it  was  abandoned;  and  at  the  present  time  when 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  3 

we  have  three  railroads  traversing  the  bounds  of  the  old 
Broad  River  Association  there  no  longer  exists  a  necessity 
for  such  an  enterprise.  Better  for  that  the  River  remain 
without  any  disturbing  restrictions  upon  the  manufacturing 
enterprises  that  seek  to  utilize  its  fine  propelling  power. 
We  now  have  the  Air  Line  running  through  the  Associa- 
tional  territory,  crossing  Broad  River  near  the  Cherokee 
Ford,  and  the  Carolina  Central  from  Wilmington  terminat- 
ing at  the  town  of  Shelby  which  as  located  is  running  nearly 
centrally  (as  far  as  it  goes)  through  the  Associational  territory; 
while  the  Chester  &  Lenoir  Harrow  Gau«;e,  is  diaro-ino-  its 
way  from  Yorkville  to  Hickory  via  Gastonia  and  Dallas, 
running  through  the  Eastern  part  of  our  Associational 
boundary.  So  that  our  transportation  facilities  if  not  the  very 
best  are  certainly  verv  ffood. 

BOUNDARY   OP    THE    ASSOCIATION. 

Our  Associational  boundary  includes  the  historic  peak 
of  King's  Mountain,  Wofford's  Iron  Works  on  Pacolet,  near  to 
where  Bivingsville  is  now  situated.  Cowpens  and  the  cele- 
brated Cedar  Spring:  at  all  of  which  noted  places  the  Scotch 
Irish  Whigs  of  the  Carolinas,  Virginia  and  Georgia  battlino- 
for  equal  rights  and  religious  privileges,  met  and  confronted 
the  British  foe  and  made  a  successful  oblation  of  their  blood 
for  the  independence  we  now  enjoy.  Of  this  we  shall  here- 
after have  more  to  say. 

AGE    OR    RANK. 

The  Broad  River  is  the  third  oldest  Association  in  the 
State  of  North  Carolina,  counting  from  the  Charleston,  which 
wis  formed  in  1751  of  four  churches  only.  The  Congaree, 
including  the  upper  portion  of  the  State,  had  been  formed 
in  1771,  but  by  reason  of  a  species  of  tampering  by  the  bodv 
with  the  internal  discipline  of  the  churches,  infrinsrino-  on 
their  independency,  in  a  few  years  it  was  entirely  broken  up 
and  disbanded.  The  Bethel,  then  grew  up  out  of  the  ruins 
of  the  Congaree,  and  the  same  churches  under  new  auspices 
increased  and  flourished,  sending  out  branches  in  different 
directions.  In  1789  several  of  those  which  had  formerly 
been  constituent  members  of  the  Congaree,  uniting  with 
others  that  had  been  raised  up  since  it  was  dissolved,  formed 


4  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

the  Bethel  Association,  the  mother  of  the  Broad  River  hody. 

Here  we  may  with  propriety  dwell  for  a  moment,  and 
ask,  in  the  language  of  the  historian,  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett, 
"If  all  the  ministers,  associations,  churches  and  membership 
of  which  this  Association  was  the  mother  had  been  made  to 
pass  before  their  eyes  in  the  next  hundred  years  after  their 
first  meeting,  would  it  not  have  been  a  great  tax  upon  their 
credulity  to  have  admitted  that  such  results  could  be  realized 
in  so  short  a  period  of  time — almost  within  the  life  time  of 
one  man  ? "  In  the  language  of  another,  "We  are  led  here 
to  view  the  ^reat  current  of  human  affairs  as  moving;  on 
without  our  consent,  and  without  our  control.  What  an 
idea  does  it  give  of  our  insignificance  and  entire  dependence 
upon  God  !  But  though  our  influence  in  counteracting  the 
events  of  time  be  very  small,  yet  their  influence  with  us  is 
great.  We  are  either  the  better  or  the  worse  for  the  times 
that  have  gone  over  us  and  may  be  so  to  eternity.  The 
vicissitudes  that  pass  over  us  during  a  single  human  life  and 
the  impressions  they  leave  behind  them  are  subjects  which  if 
realized,  would  overwhelm  the  mind." 

When  however,  by  the  vicissitudes  of  events  in  the  times 
that  are  passing  over  us,  the  results  are  more  favorable  than 
we  could  have  anticipated,  we  are  struck  with  a  joyful 
surprise. 

THE    RISE    OF    THE    BETHEL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  Bethel  Association  as  stated,  organized  in  1789; 
occupying  the  same  ground  that  the  Congaree  formerly  did, 
and  indeed  seems  to  have  been  the  same  people  under  a  dif- 
ferent name.  In  1803,  three  vears  after  the  formation  of 
the  Broad  Biver,  they  appear  to  have  enjoyed  a  great  revival 
of  religion.  According  to  the  statements  of  Elder  Benedict 
the  historian,  1,411  persons  were  baptized  in  the  several 
churches  of  which  it  was  then  composed,  making  a  total 
membership  of  3,518  at  that  time;  notwithstanding  the 
Broad  Biver  and  Saluda  Biver  bodies  had  been  cut  off  from 
it.  And  we  are  informed  by  the  same  historian,  that  in  the 
Spring  of  1802,  the  powerful  work  which  prevailed  at  that 
time  throughout  this  country,  began  to  be  experienced  by  the 
churches  in  our  own  (Broad  Biver)  Association,  and  contin- 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  5 

tied  more  or  less  for  three  successive  years,  in  which  the 
body  received  an  addition  by  baptism  of  1,296  members, 
which  increased  the  whole  membership  of  the  churches  in 
union  to  upwards  of  2,000,  which  compared  with  the  statis- 
tical reports  of  the  body  made  at  the  session  of  1801,  of  959 
members,  was  truly  a  handsome  increase  for  that  space  of 
time. 

THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

Between  the  years  1799  and  1803,  there  was  in  most 
parts  of  the  country,  particularly  in  the  West,  embracing 
especially  what  is  now  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  (with  the 
Carolines  in  a  more  limited  degree)  a  remarkable  outpour- 
ing of  the  Divine  Spirit  among  the  different  denominations. 
Great  multitudes  became  the  subjects  of  religious  concern 
and  were  hopefully  converted  to  God.  While  religious  frenzy 
or  wild  fanaticism,  the  out  croppings  of  satanical  influence 
and  self  delusion  was  alike  prevalent  among  the  masses  of 
the  people;  then  greatly  demoralized  by  the  war  of  the  Rev- 
olution. In  1776  the  declaration  of  Independence  had  been 
made  by  the  Colonies,  and  thereby  the  yoke  of  British  rule 
thrown  off.  The  struffffle  of  seven  lone;  years  for  the  mas- 
tery  had  been  prosecuted  with  violence  and  bloodshed;  the 
issue  proving  in  the  end  a  glorious  success.  JSTot  with  stand- 
ing this  our  liberty  and  independence  was  a  dear  achievement. 
Everything  excepting  honor  probably  had  been  sacrificed  on 
the  altar  of  freedom.  The  masses  who  had  borne  the  heat 
(yea  and  cold)  burthens  of  the  da}',  came  out  of  the  struggle 
in  great  destitution,  and  what  is  of  more  infinite  consequence, 
so  morally  wrecked  as  to  be  little  better  than  a  new  nation 
of  infidels — so  demoralizing  had  the  war  proven  itself  to  be 
to  the  soldiery.  Hence  the  great  necessity  for  those,  en- 
trusted with  the  publication  of  the  everlasting  gospel  of  peace 
and  salvation  to  at  once  set  about  the  work  of  evangelization. 
The  heralds  of  the  Cross  of  Christ  seems  to  have  taken  in 
the  situation,  and  went  every  where  in  the  highways  and 
hedges  preaching  the  word,  and  the  Lord  added  daily  to  the 
churches  such  as  should  be  saved.  So  strange  was  the  work- 
ing of  the  great  revival  of  that  day  and  time,  that  we,  at  the 
risk  of  being  prolix  and  tedious,  lay  before  our  readers  a  few 


6  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

extracts  from  the  historian  Benedict,  bearing  on  this  subject. 
After  speaking  particularly  of  the  beginning  of  it  in  Ken- 
tucky, the  historian  says: 

"It  spread  fast  in  different  directions,  and  in  a  short  time  almost 
every  part  of  the  State  was  affected  by  its  influence.  It  was  eon»- 
puted  that  about  ten  thousand  were  baptized  and  added  to  the  Bap- 
tist churches  in  the  course  of  two  or  three  years.  This  great  work 
progressed  among  the  Baptists  in  a  much  more  regular  manner  than 
people  abroad  have  generally  supposed.  They  were  indeed  zealously 
affected,  and  much  engaged.  Many  of  their  ministers  baptized  in  a 
number  of  neighboring  churches  from  two  to  four  hundred  each. 
And  two  of  them  baptized  about  five  hundred  each  in  the  course 
of  the  work.  But  throughout  the  whole  they  preserved  a  good  de- 
gree of  decorum  and  order.  Those  camp  meetings,  those  great  pa- 
rades, and  sacramental  seasons,  those  extraordinary  exercises  of 
falling  down,  rolling,  shouting,  jerking,  dancing,  barking,  &c.r 
were  but  little  known  among  the  Baptists,  nor  encouraged  by  them. 
But  generally  speaking  they  were  among  the  Presbyterians  and 
Methodists,  and  in  the  end  by  a  seceding  party  from  them  both, 
which  denominated  themselves  Christians,  but  which  were  gener- 
ally distinguished  by  their  opposers  by  the  name  of  New  Lights  and 
Schismatics.  These  strange  expressions  of  zeal,  which  have  made 
so  much  noise  abroad,  came  in  at  the  close  of  the  revival,  and  were 
in  the  judgment  of  many,  the  chaff  of  the  work.  There  was  a  pre- 
cious ingathering  of  souls  among  the  Presbyterians  and  Methodists, 
at  which  they  rejoiced;  but  when  the  work  arose  to  an  enthusiastic 
height,  many  different  opinions  were  expressed  respecting  it.  The 
Methodists  had  no  scruples  of  its  being  genuine;  but  among  the 
Presbyterians  some  doubted,  some  opposed,  but  a  considerable  num- 
ber overleaped  all  the  bounds  of  formality,  fanned  the  flame  as  fire 
from  heaven,  bid  up  camp  meetings,  and  sacramental  seasons,  and 
finally  ran  religious  frenzy  into  its  wildest  shapes.        *        *        * 

"In  these  meetings  there  assembled,  in  the  opinion  of  spectators, 
from  four  to  ten  or  twelve  thousand,  and  at  one  of  them  eight  hun- 
dred fell  down  under  religious  impressions.  The  falling  down  exer- 
cise needs  no  description,  as  it  is  presumed  every  reader  will 
understand  what  is  meant  by  it.  There  was  also  in  these  meetings, 
what  was  called  the  rolling  exercise,  which  consisted  in  a  person's 
being  cast  down  in  a  violent  manner,  turned  over  swiftly  .like  a  log, 
&c.  These  rolling  diciples  often  met  with  mud  in  their  way,  and 
got  up  from  their  devotions  in  a  sorrowful  plight.  Dancing  was  a 
very  common  practice;  many  pleaded  they  could  not  help  it,  and 
others  justified  themselves  from  David's  dancing  before  the  ark,  and 
other  passages  of  Scripture.  The  most  singular  exercise  of  all  was 
the  jerks.  'Nothing  in  nature  could  better  represent  this  strange 
and  unaccountable  operation,  than  for  one  to  goad  another,  alter- 
nately on  every  side,  with  a  piece  of  red-hot  iron.  The  exercise 
commonly  began  in  the  head,  which  would  fly  backward  and  for- 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  7 

ward,  and  from'  side  to  side,  with  a  quick  jolt,  which  the  person 
would  naturally  labor  to  suppress,  but  in  vain;  and  the  more  hestag- 
gered,  the  more  rapidly  his  twitches  increased.  He  must  necessarily 
go  as  he  was  stimulated,  whether  with  a  violent  dash  on  the  ground 
and  bounce  from  place  to  place  like  a  foot  ball,  or  hop  round  with 
head,  limbs  and  trunk,  twitching  and  jolting  in  every  direction,  as  if 
they  must  inevitably  fly  asunder.  And  how  such  could  escape 
without  injury,  was  no  small  wonder  to  spectators.  By  this  strange 
operation,  the  human  frame  was  commonly  so  transformed  and  dis- 
figured, as  to  lose  every  trace  of  its  natural  appearance.  Sometimes 
the  head  would  be  twitched  right  and  left,  to  a  half  round,  with 
.such  velocity  that  not  a  feature  could  be  discovered,  but  the  face  ap- 
peared as  much  behind  as  before,  and  in  the  quick  progressive  jerk, 
it  wold  seem  as  if  the  person  was  transmuted  into  some  other  species 
of  creature.  Head  dresses  were  of  but  little  account  among  the 
female  jerkers.  Even  handkerchiefs  bound  tight  round  the  head 
would  be  flirted  off  almost  with  the  first  twitch,  and  the  hair  put 
into  the  utmost  confusion,  &c.' 

THE  JERKS,    A  NERVOUS   AFFECTION. 

"There  was  something  altogether  unaccountable  in  this  jerking 
exercise.  At  first  it  was  experienced  only  by  those  under  religious 
concern,  but  in  the  end  it  became  a  nervous  affection,  which  was 
sympathetically  communicated  from  one  to  another.  A  Presbyterian 
minister  heard  that  a  congregation  of  his  brethren,  which  he  highly 
esteemed,  had  got  to  jerking.  He  went  to  persuade  them  out  of  the 
frantic  exercise,  but  in  conversing  with  them  he  got  the  jerks  him- 
self. On  his  return  home,  his  people  assembled  to  hear  the  result  of 
his  visit.  While  he  was  describing  how  people  appeared  with  the 
jerks,  he  was  suddenly  taken  with  them,  and  the  whole  assembly 
soon  caught  the  distemper. 

"Wicked  men  were  often  taken  with  these  strange  exercises, 
and  many  would  curse  the  jerks,  while  they  were  under  their  singu- 
lar operation.  Some  were  taken  at  the  tavern  with  a  glass  of  liquor 
in  their  hands,  which  they  would  suddenly  toss  over  their  heads,  or 
to  a  distant  part  of  the  room.  Others  were  taken  with  them  at  the 
card  table,  and  at  other  places  of  dissipation,  and  would,  by  a  violent 
and  unaffected  jerk,  throw  a  handful  of  cards  all  over  the  room. 

TRUTHFUL,   PERSONS   SUSTAIN    THESE   STATEMENTS. 

"These  accounts  were  taken  from  people  of  unquestionable  ve- 
racity, and  no  doubt  can  be  entertained  of  their  correctness.  These 
jerking  exercises  were  rather  a  curse  than  a  blessing.  None  were 
benefitted  by  them.  They  left  sinners  without  reformation,  and 
Christians  without  advantage.  Some  had  periodical  fits  of  them 
seven  or  eight  years  after  they  were  first  taken,  and  I  know  not  as 
they  have  got  over  jerking  yet. 

THE   BARKING   EXERCISE. 

"There  was  among  these  enthusiastic  people  one  more  exercise  of 
a  most  degrading  nature  called  the  barks,  which  frequently  accom- 
panied the  jerks.    Many  persons  of  considerable  distinction,  in  spite 


8  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

of  all  the  efforts  of  nature,  as  it  was  said,  were  forced  to  personate 
that  animal,  whose  name,  appropriated  to  a  human  creature,  is 
counted  the  most  vulgar  stigma.  These  people  would  take  the  posi- 
tion of  a  canine  beast,  move  about  on  all-fours,  growl,  snap  the  teeth, 
and  bark  in  so  personating  a  manner,  as  to  set  the  eyes  and  ears  of 
the  spectators  at  variance.  Some  might  be  forced  to  these  degrading 
exercises,  but  it  is  certain  that  many  turned  dogs  in  a  voluntary 
manner.  A  minister  in  the  lower  part  of  Kentucky  informed  me 
that  it  was  common  to  hear  people  barking  like  a  flock  of  Spaniels 
on  their  way  to  meeting.  There  they  would  start  up  suddenly  in  a 
fit  of  barking,  rush  out,  roam  around,  and  in  a  short  time  come 
barking  and  foaming  back.  Butenough  has  been  said  of  these  frantic 
scenes.  The  above  accounts  are  not  fabulous  tales,  but  they  are  real 
and  melancholy  facts.  In  the  upper  counties  of  Kentucky  where  the 
revival  was  the  greatest  among  the  Baptist  they  were  not  at  all 
affected  with  these  delirious  exercises.  In  the  Green  River 
country  and  in  E.ist Tennessee,  they  prevailed  considerably  amongst 
them.  With  the  Methodists  they  prevailed  generally.  The  Presby- 
terians were  divided  respecting  them.  Some  opposed  while  others 
encouraged  them.  Some  of  these  exercises  seemed  really  forced 
upon  the  subjects  of  them  by  some  invisible  power,  whether  good  or 
bad  the  reader  must  judge  for  himself;  but  dancing,  barking, 
rolling,  shouting,  and  soon,  were  undoubtedly,  for  the  most  part, 
works  of  choice  and  imitation,  which  were  hypocritically  played  off 
by  a  set  of  deluded,  mistaken  people.  Where  these  fantastic  exer- 
cises were  opposed,  they  were  the  least  prevalent.  Those  ministers 
who  encouraged  them,  had  enough  of  them  to  attend  to. 

THIS    FANATICISM   DID   NOT   PREVAIL. 

"In  West  Tennessee  the  Baptists  were  not  troubled  with  these 
works  of  delusion,  but  they  prevailed  here  among  the  Presbyterians 
and  Methodists,  and  some  who  came  from  other  parts  attempted  to 
introduce  them  in  the  Baptist  meetings.  A  Baptist  Minister  by  the 
name  of  Mr.  Connico,  was  once  preaching  where  one  of  the  jerkers 
began  his  motions.  The  preacher  made  a  pause,  and  with  a  loud 
and  solemn  tone,  said,  'In  the  name  of  the  Lord,  I  command  all  un- 
welcome spirits  to  leave  this  place.'  The jerker  immediately  became 
still,  and  the  report  was  spread  abroad  that  Mr.  Connico  cast  out 
devils. 

"On  the  whole  it  appears  there  was  in  1799,  and  for  two  or  three 
years  succeeding  that  period,  a  precious  work  of  grace.  Towards 
the  close  of  it  a  set  of  men  arose  who  attempted  to  carry  the  work 
further  than  the  Lord  had  done;  and  among  them  were  exhibited 
those  astonishing  scenes  of  fanaticism  we  have  described.  Some  of 
the  promoters  of  these  scenes  became  convinced  of  their  delusion 
and  returned  to  a  sober  course  of  piety;  but  many  went  off  into 
errors  of  different  kinds,  and  not  a  few  of  them  became  Shaking 
Quakers." 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  9 

RESULTS    OF    THE    PREVAILING    FANATICISM. 

We  notice  in  the  minutes  of  the  Association  that  from 
1803  to  1808  there  were  two  hundred  and  eie,nt\-five  mem- 
bers  excluded  from  the  churches,  owing  do  doubt  in  a 
measure  to  the  fanatical  state  of  feeling  which  pervaded  the 
whole  country  during  that  period.  The  circumstance,  how- 
ever, demonstrated  the  fact  that  the  churches  used  a  com- 
mendable and  praiseworthy  degree  of  diligence  in  separating 
the  chaff  from  the  wheat. 

INTEMPERANCE. 

About  the  time  the  Broad  River  Association  was  organ- 
ized  in  1800  the  demon  of  intemperance  is  said  to  have  held 
high  carnival  throughout  the  entire  bounds  of  the  body  and 
many  ot  the  members  of  churches  were  claimed,  by  him  as 
special  devotees,  and  it  is  only  too  true  when  we  say  they 
were  often  found  worshipping  at  his  filthy  shrines.  Our 
fathers  had  gallantly  succeeded  in  removing  from  their 
shoulders  the  shackles  of  British  tyranny;  but  now  alas  ! 
they  had  to  encounter  and  grapple  with  a  foe  more  vicious 
and  demoralizing.  The  Broad  River  Association  at  its  first 
session  in  1801  at  Green's  Creek,  commenced  a  defensive 
movement  by  requiring  their  venerable  presiding  officer 
Elder  Thomas  Burgess,  to  issue  an  address  or  Circular  Letter 
to  the  several  churches  in  union  in  the  name  of  the  Associa- 
tion warning  them  to  be  on  the  alert  and  to  beware  of  the 
seducing  and  dangerous  effects  of  this  now  popular  demon. 
In  that  address  the  Moderator  exhorts  the  brethren  to  ''keep 
their  bodies  in  subjection,  watch  against  unlawful  desires, 
and  oppose  within  themselves,  all  unlawful  appetites  and 
refrain  from  shameful  and  outbreaking  practices,  &c."  We 
conclude  this  chapter  now,  and  in  the  next  will  commence  a 
brief  notice  of  the  acts  and  doings  of  the  Association  from 
the  time  of  its  organization  to  the  formation  of  the  King's 
Mountain  body  in  1851. 

2 


10  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

CHAPTER  II. 

NOTICES  OF  THE  ANNUAL  SESSIONS  TO  1851  INCLUSIVE — NO  PUB- 
LISHED JOURNAL  OF  THE  CONVENTION. 

We  stated  in  our  first  chapter  that  the  Broad  River 
Baptist  Association  was  organized  in  1800.  We  got  that 
information  from  Elder  Benedict,  the  historian.  We  have 
failed  in  our  researches  to  find  an}-  record  of  the  proceedings 
had  at  the  convention  that  organized  the  Association,  and 
consequently,  we  have  to  avail  ourselves  of  tradition,  which  is 
ver}'  uncertain  and  unreliable  testimony.  Tradition,  how- 
ever, has  it,  that  the  convention  which  organized  the  Asso- 
ciation, was  held  at  Sandy  Run  Church,  in  what  is  now 
Cleveland  (formerly  Rutherford)  County,  North  Carolina. 
It  seems  to  be  admitted  by  all  of  the  oldest  people  with  whom 
we  have  conversed,  that  this  is  true. 

The  fourteen  churches  named  in  the  first  chapter  of 
this  work,  which  Elder  Benedict  savs  were  dismissed  from 
the  Bethel  Association  for  the  purpose  of  forming  the  Broad 
River  body,  were  doubtless  supplemented  by  two  others,  to 
wit :  Silver  Creek,  of  Burke  County,  and  Caney  River,  then 
of  Buncombe  County,  which  were  probably  new  churches, 
and  joined  in  the  Associational  organization;  because  at  the 
session  of  1801  at  Green's  Creek,  they  were  constituent  mem- 
bers of  the  body  as  the  minutes  show.  We  will  then  com- 
mence our  notices  with  sixteen,  instead  of  fourteen  churches 
in  the  body  at  its  first  meeting  in  ]801.  Having  now  a  full 
and  complete  file  of  the  minutes,  we  will  for  the  benefit  of 
the  future  historian,  and  the  gratification  of  a  large  Baptist 
posterity,  embrace  the  opportunity  now  offered  us  of  ferret- 
ing out  from  old  musty  records  now  before  us,  some  inci- 
dents connected  with  the  early  history  of  the  churches 
forming  the  Broad  River  and  King's  Mountain  Associations, 
which,  we  doubt  not,  will  be  interesting  and  profitable  to  the 
descendants  of  the  pioneer  fathers  who  guided  the  helm  of 
religious  affairs  in  the  times  that  have  passed  away.  There 
appears  to  have  been  at  this  period  of  the  Association  a  lack 
of  permanent  stability  on  the  part  of  the  membership  of  the 
several  churches. — Emigration  seems  to  have  been  the  order 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION  11 

of  the  day  and  great  numbers  were    removing    beyond   the 
mountains  into  the  Western  States  and  Territories. 

THE  ASSOCIATION  MET  IN  1801 

At  Green's  Creek  Church,  Rutherford  County,  North 
Carolina,    and    organized   for    business    bv    electing:  Elder 
Thomas  Burgess  Moderator,  and   Brother    Wm.    Lancaster, 
(a  layman)  Clerk.     Elder  Burgess  was  a  member  of  Boiling 
Springs    Church,    *  Spartanburg  County,  S.  C.     He,    with 
Elders  Joseph  Camp,  Ambrose  Carlton,  Perminter  Morgan, 
John  Blackwell,  Joel  Blaekwell,  Thomas  Justice,  Isaac  Can- 
trell,  David  Forest,  Abram  Hargness,   etc.,  appear  to  have 
been  the  most  prominent  ministers  of  that  time.     A  number 
of  others  during  this  period  and  soon  after,  were  raised  up; 
most  of  whom  continued  to  be  successful  laborers  in  the  Lord's 
vineyard,  to  the  end  of  their  lives.      While  a  corresponding 
number  of  impostors,  claiming  to  be  gospel   ministers,  were 
going  to  and  fro,  through  the  bounds  of  the  Association, 
deceiving  and  being  deceived,  until  through  the  vigilance  of 
the  brethren,  they  were  advertised,  exposed  and  put  down 
from   preaching.      We  intend  to  give  brief  notices  in  this 
work,  of  the  Lord's  ministers,  and  also  those  of  Satan.     Many 
of  the  good  and  meritorious,  who  had  no  motive,  other  than 
God's  glory,  and  the  good  of  souls,  will  be  noticed  somewhat 
in  detail,  as  we  may  be  able  to  collect  historical  materials. 
A  fitting  tribute  of  respect  is  due  to  those  who  stood  as  sen- 
tinels on  the  watch  tower  and  endured  affliction  while   doino- 
the  work  of  an  Evangelist,  and   who   otherwise   made   full 
proof  of  their  ministry  before  a  gainsaying  world.     All  such 
having  fought  the  good  fight  of  faith  and  finished  their  course 
with  joy  are  not  only  entitled  to  the  crown  of  righteousness 
which   the   righteous  Judge   will    certainly   give  them;  but 
having  proved  ensamples  to  the  flock  under  their  watchcare, 
are  also  entitled  to  the  plaudits  of  their  brethren   who   yet 
survive  them.      "A  good -name  is  better  than  precious  oint- 
ment, and  the  day  of  death  than  the  day  of  one's  birth."     A 
few  words  must  suffice  in  reference  to  the  old   pioneer  min- 
isters of  1800.      It  does  not  appear  from  any  record  that  we 

*  Afterwards  dissolved  and  revived  again  in  1S34. 


12  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

can  find  that  any  of  them  were  distinguished  for  literary  ac- 
quirements; they  however,  were  men  of  very  respectable 
talents,  who  were  remarkably  zealous  and  successful  in  the 
most  noble  and  benevolent  employment  on  earth:  the  winning 
of  souls  to  Christ.  It  may  well  be  said  that  these  pioneer 
and  uneducated  ministers  must  be  studied  and  their  striking 
modes  and  measures  of  success,  as  among  the  most  useful  of 
the  past;  their  industry  and  courage  in  the  work;  their  disin- 
terestedness and  fidelity;  their  patience  and  perseverance; 
their  hard  lives  that  resulted  in  furnishing  them  with  hard 
acquirements.  How  many  of  them  could  read  men  so  as  to 
shame  and  put  to  flight  half  the  readers  of  books,  when  they 
became  their  opponents!  How  many  attained  a  most  touch- 
ing pathos;  ah  irresistible  eloquence;  a  surprising  aptitude  of 
selecting  right  words,  that  fell  like  mill-stones,  as  some  one 
has  said,  true  practical  rhetoric.  How  many  were  good  ex- 
positors and  sound  divines  !  We  might  in  tins  connection 
mention  some  names  that  would  be  apppropriate,  but  with- 
hold them  now  in  this  place. 

There  were  enrolled  at  this  session  nineteen  churches 
with  an  aggregate  membership  of  nine  hundred  and  fifty- 
nine,  truly  this  was  "the  day  of  small  things." 

The  Association  convened  on  Saturday  and  had  the  in- 
troductory sermon  preached  on  Monday  thereafter.  This 
rule  appears  to  have  been  observed  through  a  series  of  twelve 
vears  or  more 

QUERIES  SENT  UP  FROM  THE  CHURCHES. 

The  follollowing  queries  engaged  the  attention  of  the 
body  at  this  session  : 

1.  Can  we  hold  a  member  in  fellowship  who  has  been 
convicted  by  the  civil  laws  ,and  received  corporal  punishment 
upon  his  denying  the  charge  ?     Answer  :  We  cannot. 

2.  Does  the  word  of  God  give  any  toleration  to  men  to 
put  away  their  wives  for  any  cause  and  marry  others? 
(This  query  was  postponed  until  the  next  session  of  the 
body.) 

REMARKS. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  foregoing  action  of  the  body,  that 
Associations  are   recognized   by   the    churches   as   Advising 


BROAD  RIVEB  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  13 

Councils,  which  can  only  reflect  the  light  or  assembled  w-is- 
doin  of  the  several  churches  brought  to  a  focus  or  advising 
point.  In  that  sense  they  are  supposed  to  be  more  capable 
of  solving  satisfactorily  the  many  mooted  or  complicated  ques- 
tions that  spring  up  in  the  separate  churches,  which  after 
being  investigated  by  them  first,  and  failing  to  arrive  at  satis- 
factory decisions,  may  be  laid  before  the  Association,  merely 
for  advice.  Under  our  system  of  church  government,  an 
Association  Avill  in  no  case  presume  to  arrogate  to  itself  the 
right  to  settle  church  difficulties,  onlv  by  <nvino-  advice  when 
called  on.  Nor  would  independent  Baptist  churches,  ever 
yield  submission  to  such  an  assumption  of  power  on  the  part 
of  an  Association,  if  they  should  at  any  time  Atempt  to  im- 
pose their  edicts  upon  the  churches  any  other  way  than  in 
the  shape  of  advice.  Great  respect,  however,  is  generally 
shown  to  Associations,  for  advice  given  when  solicited,  and 
difficulties  are  often  removed  through' the  solicited  agency  of 
the  Associations.  These  remarks  are  made  more  for  the 
benefit  of  those  who  are  not  of  our  order,  who  often  wish  to 
know  something  of  our  system  of  church  government,  than 
for  those  who  are  Baptists,  and  know  these  things  as  well  as 
we  do. 

Our  system  is  purely  democratic,  the  ministry  having  no 
more  voice  or  weight  in  the  government  of  the  church,  than 
the  laity.  So  far  as  the  vote  goes,  they  arc  at*  par — equal 
peers.  And  generally  we  think  our  svstem  works  well.  The 
laity  are  generally-  jealous  of  their  rights  and  liberties,  wheth- 
er  they  be  civil  or  religious,  and  therefore  adhere  rigidly  to 
this  system.  While  the  ministry  are  equally  regardful  of 
their  privileges,  and  very  seldom  ever  manifest  a  disposition 
"to  lord  it  over  the  churches."  It  is  therefore  satisfactory 
to  them  also. 

Subjoined  is  the  system  of  the  Broad  River  Association  : 

SYSTEM  OF  BROAD    RIVER  BAPTIST   ASSOCIATION. 

As  the  communion  of  saints,  so  the  communion  of  churches 
is  a  desirable  blessiug ;  to  obtain  and  promote  which,  ought 
to  be  the  study  and  endeavors  of  all  the  people  of  God.  Al- 
though churches  formed  on  the  gospel  plan  are  independent 
of  each  other  with  regard  to  power,  yet  not  so  strictly  speak- 


U  BEOAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

ino-  with  regard  to  communion.  For  as  saints  in  general 
have  an  indispensable  right  to  share  in  each  other's  gifts  and 
graces,  so  have  churches  in  this  joint  capacity.  It  is  a  gen- 
eral rule  "to  do  good  and  communicate,  forget  not."  Heb.  xiii. 
16,  which  is  applicable  in  a  practical  manner  to  churches  as 
such.  In  order  more  amply  to  obtain  this  blessing  of  com- 
munion, there  ought  to  be  a  coalescing  or  uniting  of  several 
churches  into  one  body,  so  far  as  their  local  situation  and 
other  circumstances  will  admit.  But  as  it  is  impracticable 
for  all  the  individual  members,  thus  to  associate  and  coalesce 
together,  the  churches  should  each,  respectively,  choose  and 
delegate  some  of  the  most  able,  pious  and  judicious  from 
among  themselves,  and  particularly  their  ministers,  to  con- 
vene at  such  times  and  places  as  may  be  thought  most  con- 
ducive to  the  great  end  proposed,  to  act  as  their  representa- 
tives in  the  general  assembly.  Their  expenses  ought  to  be 
defrayed  by  the  churches  who  send  them. 

These  delegates,  at  their  first  meeting  are,  in  a  formal 
manner,  to  enter  into  covenant  with  each  other  as  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  churches  for  the  promoting  of  Christ's  cause 
in  general,  and  the  interest  of  the  churches  they  represent  in 
particular.  They  should  then  form  their  plan  of  operations, 
and  fix  on  the  most  proper  place  and  time  for  meeting  in 
future. 

Although  such  a  conjunction  of  churches  is  not  expressly 
commanded  in  Scripture,  yet  it  receives  sufficient  counte- 
nance and  authority  from  the  light  of  nature  and  the  general 
laws  of  society,  but  more  especially  from  a  precedent  estab- 
lished by  the  Apostolical  authority,  recorded  Acts  xvthchap. 

An  association  thus  formed  is  a  reputable  body,  as  it  rep- 
resents not  a  city,  country  or  nation,  but  the  Churches  of  Jesus 
Christ.  It  is  by  no  means  to  be  deemed  a  superior  judicature, 
vested  with  coercive  power  or  authority  over  churches.  It 
presumes  not  to  impose  its  sentiments  on  its  constituents, 
under  pain  of  excommunication.  Nor  doth  it  anathematize 
those  who  do  not  implicitly  submit  to  its  determination, 
which  would  be  nothing  less  than  spiritual  tyranny,  and  bet- 
ter comport  with  the  arbitrary  spirit  of  Popish  councils  than 
with  that  meekness  which  distinguishes  the  true  disciples  and 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  15 

humble  followers  of  the  lowly,  yet  adored  Jesus.  The  apos- 
tles, elders,  and  brethren  who  composed  the  first  christian 
councils,  presumed  not  to  impose  their  conclusions  on  the 
church  in  such  a  lordly  manner,  but  preferred  their  determi- 
nations with  tl lis  modest  prologue.  It  seemed  good  to  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  to  us,  to  lay  upon  you  no  greater  burden 
than  these  necessary  things.     Acts  xv.  28. 

The  Baptist  Association  arrogates  no  higher  title  than 
that  of  an  Advisor)/  Council;  consistent  with  which  epithet 
it  ought  ever  to  act,  when  it  acts  at  all,  without  intruding  on 
the  rights  of  independent  congregational  churches,  or  usurp- 
ing authority  over  them.  Matt,  xxiii.  10,  12.  Nevertheless 
the  association  hath  a  natural  and  inalienable  right  to  judge 
for  itself  what  churches  shall  be  admitted  into  confederacy 
with  it,  and  to  withdraw  from  all  acts  of  communion  and 
fellowship  with  any  church  so  admitted,  provided  such  church 
obstinately  persists  in  holding  corrupt  principles,  or  indulg- 
ing vicious  practices,  notwithstanding  all  proper  endeavors 
have  been  used  to  reclaim  it.  (Eph.  v.  7;  Rev.  xviii.  4.)  An 
association  when  transacting  business  should  proceed  in  the 
following  manner: 

1st.  Always  begin  and  end  each  session  by  prayer. 

2d.  Admit  none  as  messengers,  but  such  as  come  re- 
commended by  letters,  well  authenticated  from  the  churches 
to  which  they  belong,  or  from  whence  they  came. 

3d.  When  a  church  petitions  by  letter  for  admission,  if 
approved  of,  the  moderator  is  to  inform  the  messengers  that 
their  request  is  granted,  and  desire  them  to  take  seats. 

4th.  All  who  have  anything  to  offer,  are  to  rise  and  ad- 
dress the  moderator. 

5th.  While  one  is  speaking  the  rest  are  to  be  silent,  yet 
all  have  an  equal  right  to  speak  in  turn. 

6th.  No  partiality  or  respect  of  persons  is  to  be  shown. 

7th.  Every  matter  should  be  canvassed  with  gravity, 
modesty,  and  a  sincere  aim  after  troth. 

8th.  When  all  are  not  agreed,  the  matter  may  be  put 
to  a  vote,  and  a  majority  determine. 

9th.  All  queries  regularly  sent  by  the  churches,  should 
be  answered  if  possible. 


13  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

10th.  Any  mutter  proposed  relative  to  the  general  good 
of  the  churches,  should  be  seriously  attended  to. 

11th.  Every  transaction  should  be  conformable  to  the 
revealed  will  of  God. 

12th.  A  Circular  Letter  should  be  written  and  se,nt  to 
all  the  churches  in  confederation,  containing  such  instruction, 
information  and  advice  as  may  be  thought  most  suit-able,  and 
with  which  should  be  sent  the  transactions  of  the  associa- 
tion. 

The  benefits  a  rising  from  an  association  and  communion 
of  churches  are  many;  in  general,  it  tends  to  the  maintaining 
of  the  truth,  order  and  discipline  of  the  Gospel. 

1st.  By  it  the  churches  may  have  such  doubts  as  arise 
among  them  cleared,  which  will  prevent  disputes. 

2d.  Thev  will  be  furnished  with  salutary  counsel.  Prov. 
xl.  14. 

3d.  The  churches  will  be  more  closely  united  in  promo- 
tins:  the  cause  and  interest  of  Christ. 

4th.  A  member  who  is  aggrieved  through  partiality,  or 
any  other  wrongs  received  from  the  church,  may  have  an 
opportunity  of  ap plying  for  redress. 

5th.  A  ijodlv  and  sound  ministry  will  be  encouraged, 
while  a  ministry  that  is  unsound  and  ungodly,  will  be  dis- 
countenanced. 

6th.  There  will  be  a  reciprocal  communication  of  their 
ofifts.     Phil.  iv.  15. 

7th.  Ministers  may  alternate^  be  sent  out  to  preach  the 
Gospel  to  them  that  are  destitute.     Gal.  ii.  9. 

8th.  A  large  party  may  draw  off  from  the  church  by 
means  of  an  intruding  minister  or  otherwise;  and  the  ag- 
grieved may  have  no  way  of  obtaining  redress  but  from  the 
association. 

9th.  A  church  may  become  heretical,  with  which  its 
godly  members. can  no  longer  communicate,  yet  cannot  ob- 
tain any  relief  but  by  the  association. 

10th.  Contentions  may  arise  between  sister  churches 
which  the  association  is  most  likely  to  remove. 

11th.  The  churches  may  have  candidates  for  the  minis- 
try properly  tried  by  the  association.     These  and  other  ad- 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  17 

vantages  arising  from  an  association  must  induce  every  godly 
church  to  desire  union  with  such  a  body.  But  should  any 
stand  off,  it  would  argue  much  self-sufficiency,  and  little  or 
no  desire  after  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  or  mutual  edification. 

ABSTRACT  OF   PRINCIPLES. 

1.  We  believe  in  one  only  true  and  living  God,  the  Father,  Son 
and  Holy  Ghost,  three  in  one. 

2.  We  believe  that  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments 
are  the  word  of  God,  and  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice. 

3.  We  believe  in  the  doctrine  of  original  sin. 

4.  We  believe  in  man's  im potency  to  recover  himself  from  the 
fallen  state  he  is  in  by  nature,  by  his  own  free  will  and  holiness. 

£.  We  believe  in  the  doctrine  of  Election  through  sanctification 
of  the  Spirit  and  belief  of  the  truth. 

6.  We  believe  that  sinners  are  justified  in  the  sight  of  God,  only 
by  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ. 

7.  We  believe  the  saints  shall  persevere  in  grace,  and  not  finally 
fall  away. 

8.  We  believe  that  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  are  ordi- 
nances of  Jesus  Christ,  and  that  true  believers  are  the  only  proper 
subjects,  and  conscientiously  do  believe  the  true  mode  is  immersion. 

9.  We  believe  in  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  and  general  judg- 
ment. 

10.  We  believe  that  the  joys  of  the  righteous  and  the  punishment 
of  the  wicked  will  be  eternal. 

11.  We  believe  that  no  minister  has  aright  to  the  administra- 
tion of  the  ordinances,  only  such  as  has  been  called  of  God,  as  was 
Aaron,  and  regularly  baptized  and  approved  of  by  the  Church,  and 
come  under  the  imposition  of  hands  by  the  Presbytery. 

12.  We  believe  that  none  but  believers  have  a  right  to  the  ordi 
nances  of  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper. 

The  session  of  1802  was  held  with  the  church  at  Goucher 
Creek,  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  Elder  Perminter  Morgan 
by  appointment  preached  the  introductory  sermon. 

New  Salem  Church  was  admitted  into  the  union,  making 
20  in  all.     Membership  1480. 

INCREASE   OF  MEMBERS. 

477  members  are  reported  by  the  several  churches  as 
having  been  baptized  since  the  last  session. 

REMARKS. 

Here  we  discover  some  of  the  fruits  of  the  great  revival 
mentioned  in  our  first  chapter,  which  is  always  pleasant  to 
notice,  but  we  find  another  item  calculated  to  mar  our  feel- 
ings, to-wit: 


18  BROAD  EIVEE  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

John  Williams,  a  disorderly  minister,  is  published  in  the 
minutes  of  this  session,  and  the  churches  cautioned  to  beware 
of  him.  Then  immediately  afterward  the  following  appears: 
"We  recommend  to  the  several  churches  in  our  union  to 
call  on  ministerial  helps'  hereafter  before  licensing  young 
preachers."  Doubtless  Williams  was  a  reckless,  fast  boy, 
and  palmed  himself  off  on  a  weak,  unsuspecting  church  which 
was  incapable  of  ascertaining  his  true  spiritual  status.  The 
advice  given  by  the  Association  then  may  be  considered  very 

proper  now,  and  should  be  appreciated  and  acted  out  by  the 
churches. 

COMING  MINISTERS. 

Elders  Jacob  Crocker,  Joshua  Richards  and  Jaroyal  Bur- 
nett, afterwards  conspicuous  ministers,  entered  their  first  ap- 
pearance in  the  Association  at  this  session.  They  will  be 
noticed  hereafter.  Elder  Joseph  Camp  was  chosen  Modera- 
tor and  Wm.  Lancaster  the  Clerk.  The  postponed  query  of 
last  session  was  again  postponed,  and  Elder  Joseph  Camp  was 
appointed  to  discuss  the  whole  matter  in'a  Circular  Letter  to 
the  churches. 

ON  THE  DUTIES    AND  OBLIGATIONS  OF  MATRIMONY. 

This  theme,  occupying  the  attention  of  the  body  so 
much,  and  the  apparent  difficulty  to  get  a  proper  solution  of 
the  matter  by  the  body,  induces  us  to  suppose  that  there  was 
at  that  time  great  laxity  in  reference  to  the  strict  observance 
of  matrimonial  relations.  We  have  learned  from  elderly 
persons  that  such  was  the  case,  and  that  society  at  that  day 
and  time  was  not  very  refined  in  many  things. 

The  session  of  1803  was  held  at  New  Salem  Church, 
Rutherford  county,  N".  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  de- 
livered before  the  body  by  Elder  Thomas  Burgess,  of  Boiling 
Springs. 

Seven  new  churches  were  admitted  at  this  session,  ma- 
king 27  in  the  union,  with  a  total  membership  of  2084.  There 
had  been  baptized  since  last  session  686  persons.  More  of 
the  proceeds  of  the  great  revival. 

Elder  Perminter  Morgan  was  elected  Moderator,  andBro. 
Wm.  Lancaster  Clerk. 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  19 

TWO    PROMINENT    MINISTERS. 

Elder  Drury  Dobbins,  afterwards  a  very  conspicuous 
member  of  this  body,  made  his  first  appearance  in  the  Asso- 
ciation as  an  ordained  minister  and  delegate  from  Sandy 
Run  Church.  Berryman  Hicks,  as  a  lay  delegate  from  State 
Line  Church,  was  in  this  session. 

REMARKS. 

We  suppose  the  present  session  of  the  Association,  is 
the  first  one  ever  attended  officially  by  Elder  Drury  Dobbins, 
as  the  minutes  of  the  two  previous  sessions  make  no  men- 
tion of  him.  Tradition  has  it  that  he  was  in  the  organization 
of  the  Association,  and  his  biographer,  D.  Scruggs,  states  as 
much,  but  if  he  was  a  member  of  the  body  that  organized 
the  Association,  it  is  certainly  strange  he  did  not  attend  the 
next  two  sessions  at  Green  Creek  and  Buck  Creek.  It  is 
true  he  might  have  failed  through  indisposition  or  some  other 
cause  unknown  to  us.  But  we  incline  to  date  his  Associa- 
tional  career  from  this  session. 

queries  . 
The  time  of  this  session  was  partly  taken    up  with   the 
discussion  of  and  answering  of  the  following  queries  : 

1.  "What  shall  be  done  with  a  member  who  refuses  to 
fellowship  his  church  for  holding  in  fellowship  a  sister 
church  for  acting  discretionally ',  contrary  to  his  views  in  re- 
ceiving members  ?" 

Answer — "We  advise  the  church  to  use  her  vested 
rights  aoreeablv  to  our  constitution."' 

2.  "Does  the  word  of  God  tolerate  a  brother  to  marry 
his  wife's  sister's  daughter  after  the  decease  of  his  wife  ?  " 

Answer — "The  word  of  God  does  not  forbid  it,  but 
churches  are  advised  for  prudential  reasons  not  to  encourage 
the  practice." 

We  suppose  the  solutions  of  the  foregoing  queries  were 
satisfactory  to  all  the  parties  concerned,  and  amicably  (?) 
received. 

The  circular  letter  addressed  to  the  churches  this  year,  on 
the  doctrines  of  grace  was  written  by  Elder  Perminter 
Morgan,  of  French  Broad. 


20  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

REMARKS. 

A  brief  but  very  comprehensive  letter,  breathing  strong 
anti-arminian  sentiments. 

The  session  of  1884  convened  with  Sandy  Run  Church, 
Rutherford  (now  Cleveland)  county,  North  Carolina. 

Elder  Ambrose  Carlton  delivered  the  sermon  introduc- 
tory to  the  business  of  the  session. 

Elder  Perminter  Morgan  was  re-elected  Moderator  and 
Bro.  Wm.  Lancaster,  Clerk. 

Two  more  churches  were  admitted  into  the  body  making 
twenty-nine  in  all.  Baptized  since  last  session  133.  Total 
membership,  2000. 

REMARKS. 

It  appears  from  the  Church  letters  that  224  members 
had  been  dismissed  since  the  last  meeting  of  the  Association. 
This  was  of  course  by  reason  of  the  tide  of  emigration  that 
was  then  carrying  so  many  to  the  Western  States. 

At  this  meeting  there  was  little  business  transacted  be- 
yond the  usual  routine  of  Associational  work.  The  follow- 
ing emeries  were  acted  on,  viz  : 

1.  "Will  the  Scriptures  tolerate  us  to  hold  a  member  in  fellow- 
ship who  communes  with  Pe-clobaptists  ?  "     "Answer.    No." 

2.  "Is  it  consistent  with  good  order  for  a  church  to  refuse  dismis- 
sion to  a  member  (minister)  who  lives  within  the  bounds  of  another 
church  of  the  same  faith  and  order  ?  "  Answer.  "We  do  not  think 
it  is." 

REMARKS. 

About  this  period  there  was  doubtless  a  good  deal  of 
trouble  in  keeping  matters  straight  in  the  churches,  and  in 
order  to  assist  in  an  object  so  desirable,  Elder  Joseph  Camp 
had  been  appointed  to  prepare  a  Circular  Letter  on  Church 
Discipline,,  which  was  read  and  adopted  by  the  body  at  this 
meeting. 

The  session  of  1805  was  held  at  French  Broad  Church, 
in  Buncombe  countv,  N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
delivered  by  Elder  Jacob  Crocker. 

According  to  the  returns  there  were  29  churches  in 
union,  as  reported  last  year.  Baptisms  6  ;  dismissions  124. 
Total  membership  1794, — showing  a  decrease  in  membership 
of  207  since  last  session. 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION  21 

MESSENGERS. 

At  the  last  session  correspondence  was  opened  with  the 
Bethel,  Saluda  River  and  Mountain  Associations,  which  was 
reciprocated  by  an  interchange  of  messengers  at  this  session 
from  those  bodies, 

REMARKS. 

We  would  here  remark  that  associational  correspond- 
ence in  the  way  of  interchange  is  very  different  now-a-days 
from  what  it  was  then.  It  was  no  unusual  thing  for  three 
or  four  messengers,  with  a  package  of  their  minutes,  to  be 
received  from  the  different  Associations  with  whom  we  cor- 
responded, at  every  annual  meeting.  And  truly  such  asso- 
ciational comity  and  friendly  interchange  should  at  all  times 
be  highly  appreciated.  It  enables  us  to  know  the  religious 
.status  of  our  brethren  abroad,  and*  through  such  brotherly 
interchange  we  obtained  a  knowledge  of  matters  of  ffreat 
importance  and  abiding  interest  to  ourselves  as  christians. 
The  times  have  changed  greatly.  We  now  scarcely  ever  re- 
alize our  expectations  and  desires  in  regard  to  these  things. 
We  sometimes  receive  a  messenger  or  two,  but  scarcely  ever 
anything  in  the  shape  of  documents,  whereby  we  can  learn 
anything  of  the  progress  of  those  we  love. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Elder  Ambrose  Carlton,  of  Smyrna,  was  elected  Mode- 
rator and  Bro.  Wm.  Lancaster  Clerk.  The  body  being  thus 
organized,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Newton,  of  the  Presbyterian  order, 
being  present,  was  invited  to  a  seat  within  the  pale  of  the 
body,  who  politely  and  kindly  accepted. 

QUERIES. 

The  following  queries  which  had  been  sent  up  by  the 
churches  were  then  taken  up,  discussed,  and  answered,  viz  : 

1.  "What  are  the  official  duties  of  a  deacon  in  their  fullest  ex- 
tent?" Answer — "We  think  a  deacon's  official  duties  apply  to  every 
thing  in  the  shape  of  discipline  in  the  house  of  God,  except  the  ad- 
ministration of  ordinances." 

2.  "What  measures  should  be  taken  with  a  member  who  has 
been  ordained  a  deacon,  and  afterwards  appears  unfit  to  fill  the  place 
according  to  the  Scriptural  requirements?"  Answer — "We  think  a 
deacon  may  forfeit  his  office  to  serve  in  the  house  of  God  by  a  disor- 
derly walk." 

3.  "Does  the  Association  hold  with  polygamy?"  Answer— 
"No." 


22  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION". 

Remarks. — (Joe  Smith's  party  had  not  then  been  organized.) 
4.  ''If  a  minister  has    been   guilty  of  heinous  and  scandalous 
crimes  and  been  expelled  from  the  church,  is  it  right  to  restore  such 
an  one  to  the  ministry  without  the  approbation  of  the  sister  churches 
in  the  Association  ?"     Answer — "No," 

The  annual  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  in  union 
was  prepared  by  Elder  Ambrose  Carlton,  the  Moderator  of 
the  body,  on  The  Advocacy  of  the  Son  of  God, — a  document 
worthy  of  preservation. 

The  session  of  1806  was  held  at  Cedar  Spring  Church, 
Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
preached  by  Elder  Perminter  Morgan,  of  French  Broad. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  body  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  Per- 
minter Morgan,  Moderator,  and  Bro.  Wm.  Lancaster,  Clerk. 

MEMBERS  DISMISSED. 

The  reports  from  the  churches  show  that  131  members 
were  dismissed  since  the  last  meeting  of  the  body.  One  new 
church  admitted. making  30  in  all.  Total  membership  1666. 
A  decrease  of  128  since  last  session. 

REMARKS. 

This  year  is  to  be  remembered  in  our  history  for  giving 
to  us  first  as  an  Association,  and  afterwards  to  the  churches 
of  this  State,  and  our  neighboring  State  of  Georgia  the  min- 
isterial labors  of  that  excellent  and  successful  preacher  of  the 
Gospel,  Elder  Humphrey  Posey,  of  whom  with  others  we 
shall  speak  in  another  place  in  this  work. 

QUERIES. 

The  following  queries  occupied  the  attention  of  the  body 

at  this  session : 

1.  "Is  it  expedient  to  retain  in  fellowship  persons  of  color,  though 
free,  who  shall  intermarry  with  the  whites?"     Answer — "No." 

2.  "What  are  the  ordinances  of  a  Gospel  church  that  deacons  are 
prohibited  from  acting  in  ?"  The  query  was  not  answered  by  the 
body,  but  was  adopted  as  a  subject  for  the  next  year's  Circular  Letter 
to  the  churches. 

The  Circular  Letter  prepared  by  Elder  Perminter  Mor- 
gan, on  the  Constitution  of  a  Gospel  Church  and  the  door  of  ad- 
mission thereto,  was  read  and  adopted  by  the  body. 

FAST  DAY. 

On  motion,  the  Association  agreed  to  set  apart  the  first 
day  of  January  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  for  a  revival 
of  religion. 


BROAD  BIVEB  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  23 

REMARKS. 

It  seems  as  if  there  was  a  great  declension  about  this  time 
in  matters  of  religion.     The  love  of  many  had  waxed  cold. 

The  session  of  1807  met  at  Green's  Creek  Church,  Ruth- 
erford county,  N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  deliv- 
ered by  Elder  Drury  Dobbins,  of  Sandy  Run. 

FORMATION  OF  FRENCH  BROAD  ASSOCIATION. 

Three  churches  were  dismissed  to  unite  with  others  in 
forming  the  French  Broad  Association. 

The  body  organized  this  year  by  electing  Elder  Jacob 
Crocker  as  Moderator  and  Bro.  Wm.  Lancaster  as  Clerk. 

From  the  reports  of  the  churches  there  were  27  churches 
in  union  with  a  membership  of  1645,  after  the  dismissal  of 
the  churches  first  named. 

QUERY. 

The  following  query  came  up  for  consideration,  viz : 
"Shall  a  church,  aggrieved  with  a  sister  church,  take  her  under 
dealing  and  be  justified  by  the  Word  of  God?"  Answer— "We  be- 
lieve that  if  one  church  grieves  another,  that  the  aggrieved  might 
very  properly  labor  with  the  aggressor,  agreeably  to  the  18th  chapter 
of  Matthew." 

MINISTER  EXCOMMUNICATED. 

"We  notice  that  James  Blaekwell,  licensed  to  preach  by 
this  body,  became  disorderly  and  was  excommunicated  by 
the  church  and  published  in  the  minutes  of  this  session. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches,  prepared  by  Elder 
Ambrose  Carlton,  on  the  duties  of  deacons,  was  read  and 
adopted  by  the  body,  and  is  an  able  and  judicious  production. 

The  formation  of  the  French  Broad  Association  took 
from  the  Broad  River  the  venerable  Perminter  Morgan,  who 
became  a  member  of  the  new  body,  and  probably  never 
crossed  the  mountains  again  to  attend  another  session  of  his 
mother  association.  We  have  met  him  since  at  Antioch,  in 
the  person  of  his  son,  Stephen  Morgan,  of  "Big  Ivy,"  who 
too,  since  1829,  has  also  finished  his  course  and  passed  away. 

The  session  of  1808  was  again  at  Sandy  Run  Church, 
Rutherford  county,  K  C.  Elder  Moses  Holland,  of  the  Sa- 
luda River  body,  preached  the  introductory  sermon.  Churches 
in  union,  27;  membership  of  the  churches,  1311.  A  sad 
decrease  of  334  members ! 


24  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION 

REMARKS. 

It  is  obvious  from  reading  the  Minutes  that  the  Broad 
River  Association  for  a  few  years  past  was  experiencing  a 
sad  state  of  declension — from  what  particular  cause  we  are 
unable  to  say.  It  is  hardly  supposed  that  emigration  was 
the  cause  of  all  of  it.  We  are  rather  inclined  to  think  the 
body  had  not  been  properly  at  work  in  the  cause  of  the  Mas- 
ter. We  can  discover  among  the  constituency  of  the  body 
nothing  of  a  practical  or  religious  nature,  beyond  a  doting 
over  questions,  which  engender  little  else  than  strife  or  vain 
glory.  And  here  at  this  session  we  find  more  of  the  same 
sort. 

QUERIES. 

It  is  now  wanted  to  know,  1st.  "If  a  church  has  a  right  to  deal 
with  a  sister  church,  agreeably  to  18th  Matthew,— in  taking  the  third 
step,  who  must  she  tell  it  to?"  The  Association  answers,  by  direct- 
ing them  to  tell  it  to  the  Association.  We  suppose  that  answer  suf- 
ficed at  least  for  a  while. 

2.  ,-How  shall  we  receive  members  into  our  churches  agreeably 
to  order  from  a  church  that  has  been  dissolved  or  become  extinct?" 
Answer— "By  convening  a  presbytery  from  other  churches,  who 
may  grant  to  such  members  letters  of  dismission." 

3.  "What  shall  be  done  with  members  who  move  out  of  the 
bounds  of  a  church  without  obtaining  letters  of  dismission  from  the 
same?"  Answer— "We  think  that  members  who  absent  themselves 
willingly  by  removal  or  otherwise,  should  be  excommunicated." 

4.  "How  far  is  an  agreement  in  religious  sentiments  essential  to 
christian  union  and  communion?"  Answer— "We  agree  to  make 
this  a  subject  for  the  next  Circular  Letter." 

We  notice  that  Elder  Ambrose  Carlton  was  elected 
Moderator,  and  Bro.  Wm.  Lancaster,  Clerk  at  this  session. 

REMARKS. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Elder  William  King,  of  head  of  Enoree,  on  the  Union  and 
Utility  of  an  Association.  A  brief  but  very  explanatory  and 
practical  document.  In  the  notice  of  Elder  King  the  letter 
is  given  in  full  in  this  work. 

The  session  of  1809  was  held  at  Buffalo  Church,  York 
county,  S.  C.  We  find  from  Minutes  27  churches  in  the 
union,  with  a  membership  of  1275, — a  decrease  of  36  since 
last  year. 

The  body  was  organized  by  electing  Elder  Jacob  Crocker 
Moderator,  and  Bro.  Wm.  Lancaster,  Clerk. 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION  25 

QUERIES. 

At  this  session  there  were  more   queries   sent   up   than 
usual,  which  seems  to  have  occupied  the   principal   time   of 

the  Association. 

1.  "What  shall  be  required  of  a  member  or  members  who  have 
been  excommunicated   from  a  church  which  has  become  extinct  ?  " 

Answer.  "Make application  to  the  nearest  church  for  restoration." 

2.  "Is  it  agreeable  to  Scripture  that  there  should  be  any  more 
Elders  in  a  Church  besides  the  pastor  or  minister  and  deacon?" 

This  query  was  postponed  until  the  next  session  of  the  Associa- 
tion and  thechurches  advised  to  give  the  matter  the  strictest  attention 
in  order  that  a  Scriptural  answer  may   be  arrived  at. 

3.  "Is  it  agreeable  to  Scripture  that  marriages  should  be  solemn- 
ized on  the  Sabbath  day  ?" 

Answer— "We  do  not  find  that  it  is  directly  forbidden  in  the 
word  of  God,  yet  we  think  the  practice  should  not  be  encouraged, 
inasmuch  as  it  is  sometimes  attended  with  bad  consequences." 

4.  "What  is  proper  to  be  done  when  a  woman  relates  an  experi- 
ence of  grace  satisfactory  to  the  church,  and  wishes  to  comply  with 
her  baptismal  duties,  but  her  husband  refuses  his  assent?" 

Answer.  "We  recommend  that  such  person  wait  patiently,  ho- 
ping that  God  in  His  providence  may  make  a  way  for  her  to  come 
into  the  church  by  the  husband's  consent." 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  prepared  by  Elder  - 
David  Iloyle,  of  New  Salem,  which  was  adopted  as  an  answer 
to  the  postponed  query  of  last   session.     We  will  give  this 
letter  complete  in  the  sketch   of  Elder  David  Hoyle   in  an- 
other part  of  this  work,  to  which  the  reader  is  referred. 

The  session  of  1810  was  held  at  Head  of  Tyger  River 
Church,  Greenville  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  delivered  by  Elder  George  Brewton,  of  Friendship. 

Two  new  churches  were  admitted  into  the  Confederacy, 
making  9  in  all.  Membership  1259.  Decrease  16.  The 
body  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  Drury  Dobbins, 
of  Sandy  Run,  as  Moderator,  and  Bro.  William  Lancaster  as 
Clerk. 

REMARKS. 

Elder  Drury  Dobbins  at  this  session  was  a  little  over 
thirty-four  years  of  age,  had  been  preaching  as  an  ordained 
minister  near  ten  }-ears,  and  was  in  the  bloom  and  vigor  of 
manhood.  We  can  fig-lire  in  our  imagination  the  dignified 
appearance  of  the  then  presiding  officer,  his  sparkling, 
black,  penetrating  eyes,  and  bland,  pleasant  face,  and  exte- 
4 


26  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

rior  generally  of  a  prepossessing  nature — contributing  doubt- 
less more  to  the  government  of  the  body  than  did  his  knowl- 
edge of  parliamentary  tactics,  although  his  rulings  and 
decisions  may  have  been  faultless  for  aught  we  know,  and 
we  doubt  not  they  were.  His  general  outline  or  physique 
was  a  sufficient  assurance  to  a  close  observer  that  he  was  no 
ordinary  man,  and  his  presence  was  felt  and  respected  by  all 
with  whom  he  was  associated. 

QUERIES. 

The  postponed  query  from  last  session  to  this : 

1.  "Is  it  agreeable  to  Scripture  that  there  should  be  any  more 
Elders  in  a  church  besides  the  pastor  or  minister  and  deacons?^ 

Answer.  "That  there  are  but  two  officers — ministers  or  elders 
and  deacons." 

2.  "Is  the  laying  on  of  hands  onlay  members  an  ordinance  of 
the  Gospel  ?  Secondly,  if  it  is,  who  are  the  proper  administrators 
of  the  ordinance?" 

Answer.  "To  the  first  part 'yes  ;'  to  the  second,  the  minister  of 
the  Gospel  only." 

Union  meetings  were  first  introduced  at  this  session,  to 
arrange  the  sessions  of  the  bodv. 

The  session  of  1811  was  held  at  Concord  Church,  in 
Rutherford  County,  N".  C.  The  number  of  churches  repre- 
sented at  this  session  was  26.  Some  had  become  extinct, 
and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  dismiss  or  letter  the  mem- 
bers to  other  churches.  Total  membership  1802;  a  decrease 
since  last  session  of  77  members. 

The  body  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Jeroj-al  Bar- 
nett  as  Moderator,  and  Bro.  Win.  Lancaster  as  Clerk. 

QUERIES. 

The  churches  sent  up  the  following  queries,  which  occu- 
pied nearly  all  the  time  of  the  session,  viz  : 

1.  "By  what  authority  do  Christian  cburches,  without  a  Gospel 
minister,  sit  in  council  to  determine  or  judge  of  the  fitness  of  subjects 
for  baptism  ;  or  to  whom  does  that  prerogative  properly  belong?" 

Tins  query  was  postponed  until  the  next  session. 

2.  "Is  it  agreeable  to  Gospel  order  for  ministers  of  the  Gospel  to 
accej>t  of  secular  offices,  such  as  justices  of  the  peace,  etc?" 

Answer.  "We  do  not  find  any  precedent  in  the  Scriptures  to  jus- 
tify it.  We  therefore  recommend  that  ministers  decline  the  exercise 
of  such  appointments." 

3.  "What  shall  members  do  who  petition  a  church  for  member- 
ship, when  the  church  to  which  they  formerly  belonged  has  been 
disbanded  or  become  extinct?" 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  27 

Answer.  "Such  members  should  first  apply  to  a  presbytery  for 
letters  of  dismission,  before  asking-  for  admission  into  any  other 
church." 

4.  'Is  it  right  to  hold  members  in  fellowship  who  belong  to  and 
frequent  Masonic  Lodges?" 

Answer.  "No." 

REMARKS. 

We  are  not  aware  of  the  extent  and  nature  of  the  dis- 
cussion had  on  this  last  mentioned  query,  as  there  was  no 
report  made  of  it,  but  we  suppose  the  debate  took  a  pretty 
wide  range,  and  for  aught  we  know  was  a  little  tinctured 
with  acrimony.  Bro.  William  Lancaster,  of  Cedar  Springs 
Church,  was  a  Free  Mason,  and  had  been  the  Clerk  of  the 
Association  from  the  time  of  its  organization  up  to  the  pres- 
ent session,  and,  withal,  was  a  very  good  and  useful  man, 
both  to  the  Church  and  the  State.  A  JSexo  England  preju- 
dice probably  had  been  .introduced  into  the  South  by  minis- 
ters and  newspapers  from  that  section  of  the  country  against 
the  time-honored  institution  of  Masonry,  which  prejudice 
had  already  been  developing  its  mischievous  consequences 
on  a  goodly  number  of  Pedo-Baptist  churches,  and  a  few 
Baptist  churches  were  also  disturbed  thereby.  We  are  nat- 
urally led  to  inquire,  if  the  Broad  River  brethren  had  just 
made  the  discovery  that  Bro.  Lancaster  was  a  Free  Mason? 
He  had  been  their  clerk  for  eleven  vears,  and  not  a  word 
was  said  about  the  matter  until  now  this  query,  as  a  fire- 
brand is  brought  before  the  bodv  to  evolve  a  vote  of  censure 
against  him,  which,  of  course,  was  so  considered  by  hirn 
(Lancaster;)  for  notwithstanding  he  continued  fully  in  the 
confidence  of  his  church,  and  was  for  many  years  thereafter 
(until  the  session  of  1823)  a  representative  of  Cedar  Springs 
Church,  yet  he  never  served  again  as  clerk  of  the  body. 

Elder  M.  C.  Barnett,  who  wrote  a  synoptical  history  of 
the  Broad  River  Association,  speaking  of  this  matter,  says  : 
"This  was  one  of  those  officious  meddlings  of  Associations  with 
subjects  that  do  not  belong  to  them,  and  which,  let  the  decision  be 
any  way  it  will,  is  impracticable  to  be  carried  out.  For  example, 
William  Lancaster,  who  had  been  the  clerk  of  the  Association  for 
ten  years  at  least,  successively,  was  a  member  of  the  fraternity  of 
Free  Masons  ;  and  I  have  it  from  tradition  (in  the  absence  of  Min- 
utes) that  he  was  continued  clerk  of  the  Association  for  several  years 
after  this.     [In  this  Elder  Barnett  was  misinformed.]     He  was  an 


28  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

active  deacon  in  the  Cedar  Springs  Church  to  the  day  of  his  death 
which  occurred  in  1824.     That  church  would  have  been  ashamed  to' 
have  thought  of  excluding  the  best  deacon  it  had  only  because  he 
was  a  Free  Mason,  and  to  carry  out  the  advice  of  the  Association." 

We  concur  fully  with  Elder  Barnett's  remarks  as  to  the 
policy  of  the  matter,  but  he  was  certainly  mistaken  in  saying 
that  Bro.  Lancaster  served  as  clerk  any  more  after  the  action 
taken  on  the  query.  The  Minutes  show  that  he  served  from 
the  session  of  1801  (and  probably  from  the  organization  of 
the  Association  in  1800,  for  there  was  no  record  kept)  until 
this  very  year  1811,  when  the  query  was  discussed  and  an- 
swered. He  never  was  clerk  of  the  body  afterwards.  The 
Minutes  show  that  Elder  Berryman  Hicks  succeeded  him  in 
the  clerkship  in  1812. 

QUERY. 

"Is  it  right  for  any  member  of  our  .union  of  churches  to  solemn- 
ize the  rites  of  matrimony  between  parties  when  either  of  them  have 
a  living  husband  or  wife?" 

Answer.   "No." 

FAST   DAY. 

The  body  agrees  to  set  apart  Easter  Sunday  next  as  a 
day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  to  implore  the  mercy  and  blessings 
of  the  Lord  on  our  nation,  and  for  the  visitation  of  His  gra- 
cious Spirit  among  the  several  churches  of  our  union. 

BAPTIST   HISTORY. 

An  item  approbatory  of  the  undertaking  of  Elder  David 
Benedict,  of  Rhode  Island,  to  write  and  publish  a  History  of 
the  Baptists  of  America,  was  adopted  at  this  session. 

The  session  of  1812  was  held  at  Friendship  Church,  in 
Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
delivered  by  Elder  Zachariah  Blaekwell,  of  State  Line. 
There  were  25  churches  iu  union;  total  membership  1272. 
An  increase  since  the  last  session  of  150  members. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  body  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  George 
Brewton  as  Moderator,  and  Elder Berrvman  Hicks  as  Clerk. 

PETITION  TO  RECONSIDER. 

A  petition  was  sent  up  asking  for  a  reconsideration  ot 
the  queries  of  1807-'08,  and  also  of  the  answer,  "agreeable 
to  the  18th  Matthew,"  and  compare  them  with  the  articles 
or  rules  of  the  Association  where  it  reads:  "We  claim  no 


BROAD  RIVEB  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  29 

higher  power  than  an  advisory  council."  The  body  decided 
by  a  vote  that  the  former  answer  shall  stand,  and  that  the 
Association  meant  nothing  more  than  to  withdraw  from  a 
disorderly  church. 

QUERIES. 

The  following  queries  were  sent  up  from  the  churches 
and  answered  by  the  body,  as  follows : 

1.  '-What  is  a  Church?" 

Answer.  "We  believe  a  Gospel  church  consists  of  an  indefinite 
number  of  saints  joined  together  by  consent,  yet  we  think  not  com- 
plete without  a  minister." 

2.  "How  shall  a  minister  be  silenced  in  his  ministerial  office  by 
the  church  ?" 

Answer.  "By  laying  him  under  the  censure  of  the  church,  and 
then  call  in  ministerial  helps  to  aid  in  deposing  him." 

3.  "Is  it  right,  according  to  the  Word  of  God,  to  constitute 
churches  where  there  is  no  minister  belonging  to  the  members  pro* 
posed  to  be  constituted  ?" 

Answer.  "Yes." 

WOLVES  IN  SHEEP'S  CLOTHING. 

Two  imposters  by  the  names  of  Ledford  Paine  and 
Samuel  T.  Council,  claiming  to  be  Baptist  preachers  in  order, 
appear  advertised  in  the  Minutes  of  this  session  as  being  in 
disorder. 

The  session  of  1813  was  held  at  Smyrna  church,  Burke 
countv,  N".  C.  Elder  Drurv  Dobbins  preached  the  introduce 
tory  sermon.  There  were  in  union  25  churches ;  total  mem- 
bership 1624. 

REMARKS. 

The  churches  during  the  past  year  had  enjoyed  a  pre- 
cious revival,  and  219  members  were  added  by  baptism, 
which  revival  was  confined  mostly  to  the  churches  of  Buffalo, 
Sandy  Run  and  Providence.  Elder  Drury  Dobbins  and  Ber- 
ryman  Hicks  (who  labored  together  a  great  deal)  held  a  series 
of  meetings  at  these  churches,  aided  by  other  ministers  who 
preached  the  gospel  faithfully  to  the  large  congregations  that 
attended,  and  the  result  was  an  extraordinary  outpouring  of 
God's  Spirit  and  the  ingathering,  as  above  mentioned. 

Elder  Berryman  Hicks  was  at  that  time  the  eloquent 
"Apollos"  of  the  Broad  River  Association.  His  manner  of 
preaching  was  generally  of  an  exhortatory  character  especially 
in  the  peroration  of  his  sermons,  and  he  did  not  often  fail  to 


30  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

make  a  good  impression  on  his  hearers.  Elder  Drury  Dob- 
bins' manner  was  doctrinal  and  expository ;  apparently  he 
was  specially  called  to  feed  the  flock  of  Christ.  While  en- 
gaged in  this  his  true  line  of  service,  no  one  was  ever  more 
faithful  to  his  duties. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  Association  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder 
Drury  Dobbins  as  Moderator  and  Elder  Berryman  Hicks  as 
Clerk,  when  the  following 

QUERIES, 

which  had  been  sent  up  for  solution  from  the  churches,  were 
taken  up,  viz : 

1.  "Do  the  Scriptures  mention  the  gifts  of  doctrine  and  exhorta- 
tion as  separate?" 

Answer.  "Yes." 

2.  "When  God,  in  His  wisdom,  has  thought  proper  to  bestow 
these  gifts  separately,  ought  they  not  to  be  separately  used  in.  the 
Church?" 

Answer.    "Yes." 

8.  "Are  those  who  profess  the  gift  of  exhortation  only,  qualified 
to  exercise  the  ministerial  function  fully?" 

Answer.  "No." 

4.  "Is  it  good  order  for  a  church  to  call  a  minister,  or  supply  from 
another  church,  when  they  have  an  ordained  minister  in  said 
church  ?" 

Answer.  "It  may  be  order,  but  great  caution  ought  to  be  used  in 
the  matter." 

BAPTIST    GENERAL    MEETING. 

At  this  session  it  is  recorded  that  Elder  Drury  Dobbins 
and  Ambrose  Carlton  were  appointed  messengers  to  bear 
dispatches  from  this  body  to  the  "Baptist  General  Meeting  of 
correspondence  in  North  Carolina." 

P.EMAKKS. 

We  are  not  informed  fully  as  to  the  nature  of  that 
'-General  Meeting."  It  may  have  been  a  temporary  organi- 
zation, similar  in  all  respects  to  that  mentioned  by  Elder 
Benedict,  styled  the  "General  Committee."  Which,  how- 
ever, seems  to  have  been  disannulled,  this  institution  was 
established  in  1784  and  continued  only  to  1799.  He  says  it 
was  composed  of  delegates  from  all  the  Associations  which 
could  with  convenience,  or  was  disposed  to  send  messengers 
to  it.     But  many  of  the   Virginia  Baptists   were   suspicious 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  31 

that   this   body   would   in  time  grow  into  something  like  a 

Synod  or  Dictating  Council  and  for  that  reason  stood  aloof 

from  it  for  a  time,  and,  indeed  those    who   sanctioned  it  and 

assisted  in  promoting  its  measures,  were  so  much  afraid  of 

horns,  that  they  gave  it  scarcely  any  head  or  power.    But  with 

all  its  restrictions,   most  of  which  were  probably   necessary 

in  order  to  secure  the  independency  of  the  numerous  churches 

over  whose  affairs  it  presided;  it  was  a  very  useful  body,  and 

was  instrumental  in  tearing  off,  one  after  another,  the    civil 

and  ecclesiastical  shackles,  by  which  the  Baptist  and  other 

dissenters  from  the  Episcopal  establishment  in  Virginia  had 

been  sorely  galled,  until  an  entire  and  equal  freedom  was  by 

law  established. 

We  do  not  learn    from  the  minutes,  (which  are  in  soma 

particulars    very    vague)    anything    more  about  the  matter. 

The  messengers   either   failed   to    attend    or    neglected    the 

making  of  a  report  to  the  next  session  of  the  body. 

MORE    WOLVES    IN    SHEEP'S    CLOTHING. 

A  committee  was  appointed  on  Corresponding  Minutes  : 
who  reported  "Samuel  Whitney,  W.  Davis,  Jesse  Hazael, 
John  McCreary,  W.  Thomas,  John  Williams  and  Daniel 
Brown  professing  to  be  Baptist  preachers,  who  were  vile  im- 
postors." 

REMARKS. 

Here  we  find  a  list  of  seven  vile  impostors  in  the  char- 
acter of  ministers  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ — false  teachers, 
wolves  in  sheep's  clothing  who,  by  deceitful  words,  were  en- 
deavorino;  to  inoratiate  themselves  into  the  favor  and  good 
graces  of  the  unsuspecting  and  simple-minded  people  where 
they  operated,  for  the  nefarious  purposes  of  gratifying  their 
devilish  ambition  and  wicked  lusts,  under  the  hallowed  cloak 

of  religion. 

The  following  record  appears  on   the   Minutes  of  this 

session.  Elder  Julius  Holland,  of  Long  Creek  Church,  died 
since  the  last  session  of  this  body.  "He  was  a  pious  minis- 
ter of  the  Gospel,  an  ornament  to  society  and  a  friend  to  the 
poor,"  savs  the  record.  The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year 
was  prepared  by  Elder  George  Brewton,  on  The  Baneful  Ef- 
fects of  Cooetousness,  which  we  doubt  not  was  very  rife  among 
the  churches  and  people  generally  about  that  time. 


32  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

The  session  of  1814  met  this  year  at  Goucher  Creek 
Church,  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  ser- 
mon was  delivered  bv  Elder  Ambrose  Carlton,  of  Smyrna. 

By  reason  of  the  loss  of  a  portion  of  the  Minutes  of  this- 
year,  we  are  unable  to  give  the  church  statistics. 

The  body  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  Drury 
Dobbins  as  Moderator  and  Elder  Wm.  King  as  Clerk. 

Elder  Wm.  King,  under  an  appointment  of  last  session, 
prepared  the  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches,  on  The  Gifts 
and  Qualifications  of  a  Gospel  minister.  We  are  unable  to  give 
anything  more  of  the  doings  of  the  session  because  of  the 
mutilation  of  our  copy  of  the  Minutes. 

The  session  of  1815  was  held  at  Buffalo  Church,  York 
County,  S.  C.  Elder  Nathaniel  Jackson,  of  head  of  Tyger 
River  Church,  delivered  the  introductory  sermon.  Antioch 
and  Union,  new  churches,  were  admitted  at  this  session. 
The  body  then  consisted  of  26  churches,  with  a  total  mem- 
bership of  1519. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  Ambrose  Carlton 
as  Moderator  and  Elder  Berry  man  Hicks  as  Clerk. 

\     BAPTIST    BOARD    OF    FOREIGN    MISSIONS. 

A  committee  of  five,  consisting  of  Ambrose  Carlton, 
Wm.  King,  Drury  Dobbins,  Wm.  Lancaster,  and  Berryman 
Hicks  was  appointed  to  examine  the  first  annual  report  of 
the  Baptist  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  sitting  at  Philadel- 
phia, who  rported:  "We  recommend  your  charitable  aide 
to  the  Missionary  Society  for  the  laudable  purpose  of  pro- 
mulgating the  gospel  among  the  poor  heathens." 

In  order  more  properly  to  co-operate  with  the  Board  in 
missionary  operations,  Brother  Wm.  Lancaster  was  appointed 
Associational  Secretary. 

REMARKS. 

A  strong  opposition  or  prejudice  was    directly   hatched 

up  against  missionary  operations,  within   the   bounds  of  the 

Association    and   consequently    very    little  was  ever  accom- 
plished through  this  instrumentality. 

QUERY. 

The  following  query  was  sent  up  for  solution,  viz : 
"Is  it  agreeable  to  j-ood  order  for  a  deacon  to  be  dismissed   from 
office  at  bis  own  request  ?  and  if  so,  by  wbat  authority  ?  " 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  33 

Answer.  We  think  a  church  should  be  exceedingly  cautious 
how  she  dismisses  a  deacon  from  office,  for  we  do  not  think  it  good 
order  to  dismiss  one  at  his  own  request,  unless  the  church  shall  think 
lie  does  not  fill  the  office  properly,  and  in  case  of  such  dismission, 
the  church  acting  in  the  case  is  the  proper  authority." 

ELDER    GEORGE    BREWT0N. 

The  demise  of  Elder  George  Brewton  of  Friendship 
church  is  noticed  in  the  minutes  ot  this  session.  (See  bio- 
graphical notice  in  this  work.) 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  Avas  prepared  by 
Elder  Ambrose  Carlton  on  "  The  Scriptural  reasons  why  the 
Baptists  do  not  commune  with  other  denominations  of  Christians." 
A  most  excellent  letter.  > 

The  session  of  1816  was  held  at  Sandy  Run  Church, 
Rutherford  County,  N.  C,  Elder  Hosea  Holcombe,  of  Union 
church,  had  been  appointed  to  preach  the  introductory  ser- 
mon, but  gave  way  to  Elder  Luther  Rice,  agent  of  the  For- 
eign Mission  Board,  who  being  present  preached  a  missionary 
sermon  on  the  occasion,  which  gave  general  satisfaction,  and 
a  public  collection  was  taken  up  forthe  objects  of  the  Board. 

CHURCHES    ADMITED. 

Two  churches  Ruhamah  and  Zion  were  admitted  into 
the  confederacy  of  churches  at  this  session,  making  28  in  all, 
with  a  total  membership  of  1503  in  fellowship. 

The  following  queries  had  been  sent  up  from  the  churches, 

viz: 

1.  "Is  it  good  order  for  a  church  to  dissolve  herself,  when  said 
church  has  a  pastor  with  her?  If  not  how  shall  she  proceed  agreea- 
bly to  Scripture?  " 

Answer.  "Although  we  cannot  cite  such  to  any  Scripture,  we 
advise  them  to  apply  to  the  churches  for  helps  and  thereby  form  a 
presbytery,  to  dismiss  in  order,  both  minister  and  members." 

2.  "Would  it  be  good  order  to  commune  with  a  person  after  re- 
ceiving such  into  our  union  upon  a  profession  of  our  faith  previous 
to  their  being  baptized  ?  " 

Anser.     "  No.  " 

3.  "Is  it  agreeable  to  the  gospel  for  Baptists  to  call  themselves 
'  Calvinists,1  and  the  doctrines  of  grace  '  Calvinism?'  " 

Answer.  "We  believe  John  Calvin  preached  more  sound  doc- 
trine than  any  other  noted  reformer,  yet  we  think   it  is  contrary  to 

the  gospel,  for  Baptists  to  call  themselves  and  the  doctrines  of  grace 
by  such  titles." 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  session  was  written  by  Elder 

Drury  Dobbins  on  The  Union  Betwixt  Christ  and  his  Church. 


84  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

And  is  a  very    concise    and  appropriate   document  which 
should  be  reproduced. 

Elders  Drury  Dobbins  presided  as  Moderator  and  Berry- 
man  Hicks  as  Clerk  of  this  session. 

REMARKS. 

We  are  informed  that  about  this  time  the  doctrines  of 
particular  election,  and  the  saints  final  perseverance  in  grace, 
on  the  part  of  Baptists:  while  general  redemption  and  possi- 
ble apostasy  on  the  part  of  our  Methodist  friends,-  were  the 
great  themes  of  religious  discussion.  Many  sermons  and  es- 
says on  these  novel  points  found  their  way  into  printed 
pamphlets  and  other  works.  And  the  two  parties  still  cheer- 
ish  their  peculiar  tenets  as  though  nothing  had  been  said 
or  written. 

"He  that  complains  against  his  will, 
Is  of  his  own  opinion  still.  " 

"What  a  great  pity  it  is,  that  so  many  sects  or  parties, 
sprang  up  out  of  the  reformation  of  popery  !  Some  people 
consider  this  a  great  blessing  because,  as  they  allege  it  will 
tend  greatly  to  the  evangelization  of  the  world:  it  being  im- 
possible for  all  to  see  alike  and  entertain  the  same  views  in 
reference  to  religious  matters.  That  some  can  be  followers  of 
Paul,  others  of  Apollosand  Cephas, etc.,  andthereby  a  greater 
number  be  gathered  into  the  general  church  of  the  Redeemer. 

Our  doctrine  is,  that  we  should  all  be  followers  of  Christ, 
that  Paul,  Apollos  and  Cephas — Calvin,  Luther  and  Me- 
lancthon,  etc.,  are  only  ministers  of  His  and  consequently  we 
should  ignore  the  names  of  Calvinists,  Lutheran,  Presby- 
terian, Methodist,  etc.,  and  cleave  only  to  that  of  Christian 
just  as  the  disciples  was  first  called  at  Antioch,  by  which, 
however  we  do  not  mean  the  followers  of  Alexander  Camp- 
bell, or  any  other  would  be  leaders  of  party  sects.  If  it  is 
best  to  be  organized  into  petty  factions,  one  calling  himself  a 
follower  of  Paul  and  another  of  Apollos,  why  did  Christ  pray 
to  his  Father  that  we  all  might  be  one:  "as  thou  Father  art 
in  me  and  I  in  thee  ?  " 

A  SUPERANNUATED  MINISTER. 

We  notice  that  Elder  Ambrose  Carlton  (an  aged  minis- 
ter) took  a  final  leave  of  the  Association,  to  meet  the  body 
no   more  in  time.     How  sad  it  makes  us  feel !  and  yet  how 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  35 

pleasant  to  think  and  ponder  over  the  aproaching  period  of 
our  departure  from  a  world  of  toil  and  trouble  to  that  rich 
inheritance  at  God's  right  hand  laid  up  for  the  finally  faith- 
ful. We  made  the  acquaintance  several  years  ago  with  the 
aged  son  of  this  good  man,  Thomas  Carlton,  (also  a  minister 
and  worthy  member  of  the  Catawba  River  Association)  of 
the  old  pioneer  of  the  Broad  River  Association  who  so  af- 
fectionately bade  his  brethren  a  final  farewelNn  time. 

The  session  of  1817  was  held  at  Friendship  church, 
Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
delivered  by  Elder  Drury  Dobbins.  There  was  27  churches 
in  union  with  a  membership  of  1442.  Elders  Drury  Dobbins 
was  chosen  Moderator,  and  Berryman  Hicks  Clerk. 

QUERY. 

The  church  at  Union  "wishes  to  know  whether  the  Association 
approbates  their  conduct  in  receiving  members  from  a  society  of 
Methodists  who  have  been  baptized  by  immersion  and  account  the 
same  valid  ?  " 

Answer.  "We  think  that  to  receive  members  from  other  socie- 
ties as  therein  described  does  not  comport  with  the  simplicity  of  the 
gospel." 

"But  as  the  subject  is  delicate  and  needs  considerable  investiga- 
tion, we  agree  to  make  it  the  subject  of  our  next  Circular  Letter." 

*  THE   CONVERSION   OF   THE   HEATHEN. 

The  following  record  is  gleaned  from  the  Minutes  of 

this  session,  viz  : 

"While  reflecting  on  the  pleasing  and  important  theme — the 
salvation  of  the  heathen,  with  the  increase  of  missionaries  and  the 
translation  of  the  Scriptures  into  different  languages— we  heartily 
recommend  our  churches  to  be  more  liberal  in  supporting  this  laud- 
able undertaking,  remembering,  "he  that  giveth  to  the  poor,  lends 
to  the  Lord,  and  He  will  repay  him." 

After  the  adoption  of  the  foregoing  item,  a  good  collec- 
tion was  taken  up  for  missionary  purposes. 

REMARKS. 

We  mention  this  merely  to   show  that  the  efforts  made 

in  the  Broad  River  Association  by  Elder  Luther  Rice,  the 

pioneer  agent   of  Foreign  Missions,   was  not  altogether  in 

vain. 

The   Circular   Letter  of  this   year,  prepared   by  Elder 

Hosea  Holcombe,  of  Union  church,  on  the  Declension  of  Re- 
ligion and  the  Causes  thereof,  is  a  document  that  should  be  put 
into  the  hands  of  every  member  of  Christ's  Church. 


36  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

The  session  of  1818  was  held  at  Provident e  Church,  in 
Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
preached  by  Elder  Berryman  Hicks,  of  State  Line. 

There  appears  enrolled  28  churches,  with  a  total  mem- 
bership of  1563.  The  body  organized  with  Elders  Drury 
Dobbins  as  Moderator  and  Berryman  Hicks  as  Clerk. 

QUERIES. 

The  following  queries  came  up  for  discussion  and  to  be 
answered  : 

1.  "What  shall  a  church  do  with  a  member  that  has  been  excom- 
municated for  the  sin  of  adultery,  said  person  taking  a  woman  into 
the  house  with  him  and  continuing  in  that  sinful  way,  as  the  church 
has  reasons  for  believing,  for  perhaps  twenty  years,  until  the  death 
of  his  wife  :  he  then  comes  forward  to  the  church  in  a  few  months 
afterward  and  states  he  has  married  the  woman  and  repented  of  his 
sin,  and  desires  again  to  unite  himself  with  the  church  ?" 

Answer.  "If  the  church  can  believe  such  a  person  a  christian, 
and  he  has  made  such  acknowledgments  as  the  Scriptures  require, 
then  receive  him  ;  if  not,  reject  him." 

2.  "A  number  of  persons,  say  sixteen,  were  dismissed  twelve 
years  past  to  form  a  new  church,  and  have  not  yet  been  constituted, 
and  nearly  all  who  were  first  dismissed  are  removed  away — Is  it 
right  for  any  adjacent  church  to  dismiss  members  to  join  thein  for 
any  purpose?"     Answer — "No." 

PETITION   TO    DISTRICT   THE   ASSOCIATION. 

Green  River  and  Head  of  Tva;er  River  churches  sent 
petitions  to  the  Association,  praying  a  division  of  the  body 
into  four  sections  for  the  purpose  of  regulating  the  sections, 
— each  section  alternately  to  have  the  session  whenever  the 
time  arrived,  and  the  churches  within  each  section  to  decide 
among  themselves  which  particular  church  should  have  the 
session. 

REMARKS. 

The  petition  was  granted,  and  the  rule  as  then  agreed 
on  has  been  continued,  we  believe,  ever  since. 

AN   IMPOSTOR. 

Michael  Austin,  an  impostor,  professing  to  be  a  Baptist 
preacher,  is  advertised  in  the  Minutes  of  this  session. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  for  this  year  was 
prepared  by  Elder  Win.  King,  of  Head  of  Enoree  church, 
on  the  subject  of  a  Baptist  Church  receiving  members  who  irere 
baptized  by  Immersion  in  the  Methodist  Society. 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  3? 

REMARKS. 

The  writer  takes  the  ground  that,  as  certain  Priests  an- 
ciently failed  to  show  their  genealogy  among  the  lawful 
Priests  and  were  rejected,  in  like  manner  should  all  admin- 
istrators of  the  ordinance  of  baptism  be  rejected,  who  fail  to 
show  their  own  baptism  according  to  the  Gospel  by  a  minis- 
ter who  has  himself  been  baptized  in  a  regular  line  from  the 
Apostles  down  to  the  present  time. 

The  session  of  1819  was  held  at  Head  of  Tyger  River 
church,  Spartanburg  county,  S,  C.  The  introductory  ser- 
mon was  delivered  by  Elder  Jacob  Crocker,  of  Pacolet 
church.  There  appear  thirty  churches  enrolled.  Baptized 
since  last  session,  2-34.     Total    number  of  members  in  the 

body,  1716. 

The  Association  was  organized  bv  the  election  of  Elders 
Jacob  Crocker  as  Moderator  and  Berryman  Hicks  as  Clerk. 

QUERIES. 

The  following  queries  were  sent  from  the  churches  to  be 
answered ; 

1.  "Is  it  agreeable  to  Scripture  for  churches  to  ordain  their  own 
deacons?" 

Answer.  -'We  think  it  is,  provided  they  have  two  or  more  or- 
dained ministers." 

2.  "Is  it  consistent  with  the  Gospel  for  deacons   to  assist  in  the 
ordinatiou  of  deacons?" 

Answer.  "We  think  it  is  not  inconsistent  that  they  should  assist 
the  ministers  in  that  work." 

MISSIONARY  OPERATIONS. 

At  this  sessiou  there  was  a  public  collection  taken  up 
for  missionary  purposes,  and  Elder  Drury  Dobbins  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  body  to  preach  a  missionary  sermon  before 
the  body  at  its  next  meeting,  for  the  furtherance  of  mission- 
ary objects.  The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  borrowed 
from  the  old  Kehukee  Association,  of  North  Carolina,  on 
the  subject  of  Good  Works. 

The  session  of  1820  convened  at  Mountain  Creek 
church,  Rutherford  county,  N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  delivered  by  Elder  Thos.  Bomar,  of  Bethlehem  church. 

CHURCHES   ADMITTED. 

Four  new  churches,  viz  ;  New  Prospect,  Washington, 
Cross  Roads  and  Macedonia  were  admitted  into  the  Confed- 
eracy. 


28  BKOAD  EIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

There  were  then  35  churches  enrolled.  Baptized  since 
the  last  meetings  371, — making  a  total  membership  of  2165, 

ORGANIZATION. 

Elders  Thomas  Bomar  was  chosen  Moderator  and  Ber- 
ryman Hicks  as  Clerk. 

QUERIES. 

The  following  queries  were  taken  up  for  consideration  ; 

1.  "How  shall  a  church  proceed  with  a  member  in  slavery  whose 
companion  was  taken  away  out  of  the  country  and  sold,  and  the 
member  left  has  married  another?" 

Answer.  "Agreeably  to  the  Scriptures,  the  church  could  not  hold 
such  an  one  in  fellowship." 

2.  "Is  it  agreeable  to  Scripture  to  receive  a  woman  into  fellow- 
ship that  was  married  to  an  emigrant  from  Europe  who,  after  a  few 
months,  separated  from  her  and  embarked  for  his  native  country, 
she  remaining  for  several  years  destitute,  married  to  another  man  ?" 

Answer.  "No."  j 

Elder  Thomas  Bomar  was  appointed  to  preach  the  mis- 
sionary sermon  next  year,  after  which  the  practice  was  drop- 
ped, so  far  as  we  can  see. 

REMARKS. 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  prepared  by  Elder 
Berryman  Hicks,  on  the  Foundation  on  which  christians  can  be 
Agreed.  The  letter  is  considered  a  good  one,  and  is  repub- 
lished in  this  work,  with  the  biographical  notice  of  Elder 
Hicks. 

The  session  of  1821  was  held  at  Zion  church,  Ruther- 
ford (now  Cleveland)  county,  ~N.  C.  The  introductory  ser- 
mon was  delivered  by  Elder  Sam'l  Gibson,  of  Head  of  Eno.ree 
church,  Greenville  county,  S.  C.  There  were  two  new 
churches  (Bcthesda  and  Head  of  Enoree)  admitted  at  this 
session,  making  37  in  all,  with  a  membership  of  2211, — a 
handsome  increase.  Elders  Drury  Bobbins  was  elected 
as  Moderator  and  Berryman  Hicks  as  Clerk. 

BAPTIST   BOARD   OF    FOREIGN  MISSION'S. 

At  tliis  meeting  of  the  body,  Bro.  William  Lancaster, 
the  Corresponding  Secretary,  was  called  on  for  a  report  from 
the  Baptist  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  wrho  presented  a  let- 
ter which  was  at  first  distressing  to  us.  but  in  the  latter  part 
of  it  a  hope  was  cherished  that  God  will  yet  bless  the  poor 
heathen  with  saving  grace.  A  small  collection  was  taken 
up,  but  we  do  not  find  that  the  Association  ever  co-operated 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION".  3ft 

with  the  board  any  longer.  The  Minutes  are  so  meagre  and 
vague  that  we  are  unable  to  know  from  them  as  to  what  was 
the  matter.  The  lack  of  more  thorough  organization,  and 
probably  the  heavy  expense  of  agencies  connected  with 
close-fistedness  on  the  part  of  the  church  membership,  doubt- 
less served  greatly  to  give  a  quietus  to  the  matter  at  that 
time.     x 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  written  by  Elder 
Drury  Dobbins,  on  the  Important  Necessity  of  the  Operation  of 
the  Spirit  of  God  upon  the  SouL 

CORRESPONDING    MESSENGERS. 

We  notice  at  this  session,  as  at  nearly  all  of  the  meet- 
ings of  the  Broad  River  Association,  a  pleasant  and  profita- 
ble interchange  o±  associational  correspondence.  We  find 
from  the  Bethel,  L.  C.  Thurber;  from  French  Broad,  William 
Ivimsey,  &c.  How  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  togeth- 
er in  unity,  and  never  forsake  the  very  commendable  prac- 
tice of  visiting  each  other,  to  jointly  labor  in  building  up  the 
waste  places  of  Zion. 

The  session  of  1822  was  held  at  Mount  Zion  church, 
Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  Elder  Drury  Dobbins  preached 
the  introductory  sermon  from  Chronicles,  vi.  8-9. 

Camp's  Creek  church  was  addmitted  into  the  union, 
making  38  in  all.  Total  number  of  members  in  the  several 
churches  2139. 

Elders  Drury  Dobbins  and  Berryman  Hicks  were  re* 
elected  to  their  places  as  Moderator  and  Clerk. 

QUERY. 
The  following  query  came  before  the  Association  from  Green 
River  church  :     "Would  it  not  be  most  agreeable  with  gospel  order 
to  communeor  take  the  Lord's  supper  at  the  Associational  meetings?" 

Answer.    "We  think  it  best  not  to  adopt  such  a  rule  at  this  time." 
The  body  opened  correspondence  with    the    Charleston 
Association  and  dropped  the  correspondence    with   the  Bap- 
tist Board  of  Foreign  Missions. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Elder  Samuel  Gibson,  onthe  grand  utility  of  faith  to  the  believing 
mind.  In  the  biographical  notice  of  Elder  Gibson  we  give 
this  letter  entire. 

The  session  of  1823,  the  Association  met  at  Reedy  River 


40  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

church,  Greenville  county,  S.  C.  Elder  Thomas  Bomar 
preached  the  introductory  sermon  agreeably  to  appointment. 

There  were  37  churches  in  union  with  a  membership  of 
2093.  The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  Drury  Dobbins 
Moderator  and  Brother  James  Whitten,  of  Cross  Roads,, 
Clerk, 

Queries. — The  following  queries  came  up  for  discussion  ; 

1.  "What  shallToe  done  with  a  minister  who  has  been  excom- 
municated from  the  privileges  of  the  church,  and  refuses  to  give  up 
his  credentials*  to  a  member  of  that  church  when  required  in  the 
name  and  by  the  authority  of  said  church  to  do  so  9" 

Answer.  "After  the  excommunication  ofa  minister  from  a  church 
that  church  has  no  power  over  him,  and  therefore  has  no  authority 
whatever  to  demand  his  credentials.  But  if  the  excommunicated 
minister  should  under  the  sanction  of  his  papers,  impose  upon  the 
community,  he  should  be  reported  to  the  Association,  which  body 
would  of  course  make  proper  mention  ot  him  in  its  minutes." 

2.  "Ought  a  church  of  Christ  to  hold  a  member  in  fellowship 
who  believes  in  what  is  generally  called  witch  craft,  or  practices  any 
so-called  charm,  or  other  idle  means  to  remove  what  they  call  witch 
craft?"     Answer.     "No." 

Remarks. — It  seems  to  have  been  a  very  common  prac- 
tice of  our  ancient  brethren  of  the  different  churches  compos- 
ing the  Broad  River  Association,  to  test  the  ability  and  skill  of 
the  body,  then  considered  the  assembled  wisdom  of  the 
churches,  and  acting  for  them  as  an  Advisory  Council.  They 
would  therefore,  at  nearly  every  session,  have  a  series  of 
queries  involving  points  of  discipline,  and  sometimes  other 
matters  ofa  different  or  doubtful  nature  before  the  body  for 
discussion  and  adjudication.  And  we  doubt  not  that  some 
of  our  most  level  headed  old  brethren  have  been  taken  on 
surprise,  and  for  the  want  of  time  to  fully  investigate,  have 
very  willingly  seconded  a  motion  to  postpone  the  questions  at 
issue  until  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  Association.  We 
find  at  any  rate,  that  course  was  considerably  practiced,  and 
indeed  it  was  necessary  often  to  do  so,  in  order  to  get  a 
proper  solution  of  .the  queries.  We  are  sometimes  amused 
at  the  simple  nature  of  some  of  the  queries  brought  up,  but 
when  we  take  into  consideration  the  fact,  that  many  of  our 
old  brethren  were  not  much  conversant  with  Encyclopedias 
or  Bible  Dictionaries,  or  such  works  on  discipline  as  we  now 
have  for  perusal  we  should  not.     We    cannot  do   otherwise 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION".  41 

than  commend  their  vigilance  and  great  watchfulness  over 
heretical  points  of  doctrine  and  mooted  questions  of  discip- 
line in  which  it  seems  they  were  ever  faithful  to  their  trusts. 
And  the  discussions  they  were  instrumental  in  getting  up 
before  the  Associations,  were  not  only  interesting  and  profit- 
able to  them  as  members  of  churches,  but  were  of  untold 
worth  to  the  rising  ministry,  and  to  the  denomination  gen- 
erally. We  take  pleasure  therefore  in  collating  all  the  va-, 
rious  queries,  although  quaint  and  unvarnished  in  diction, 
that  we  can  find  recorded  in  the  minutes,  and  give  them  a 
welcome  place  in  our  work. 

The  Circular  Letter  was  prepared  by  Elder  Jacob 
Crocker  on  the  manner  in  which  the  church  of  Christ  should  pro- 
ceed in  calling  a  pastor. 

The  session  of  1824  met  at  Head  of  First  Broad  River 
church,  Rutherford  county,  1ST.  C.  The  introductory  ser- 
mon was  delivered  by  Elder  Fields  Bradshaw,  of  Mount  Ru- 
hamah.  State  Line  church  was  admitted,  making  a  union 
of  38  churches.     Total  membership  of  the  churches,  2236. 

Elders  Drury  Dobbins  was  chosen  Moderator  and  Ber- 
ryman  Hicks,  Clerk. 

Query. — A  query  from  Cedar  Springs  was  taken  up, 
viz  : 

"Is  it  consistent  with  the  Gospel  to  preach  missionary  sermons 
at  the  Association  on  Sunday,  for  the  purpose  ot  taking  up  collec- 
tions of  money  ?" 

Answer. — (This  body  evasively  answers.)  "The  Association  has 
ceased  to  be  a  Missionary  Society.  We  will  therefore  no  longer  take 
up  public  collections  for  that  object  on  Sundays." 

SOUTH   CAROLINA   STATE   CONVENTION". 

This  body  having  been  solicited  to  join  the  South  Car- 
olina State  Convention,  postponed  the  matter  for  considera- 
tion until  the  present  session,  and  now  by  a  vote  of  the  body 
refuses  to  do. 

Remarks. — There  seems  to  have  been  some  anti-mis- 
sionary leaven  at  work  among  the  churches  of  this  Associa- 
tion about  this  period  of  its  history. 

FAST  DAY. 

•    After  transacting  the  usual  routine  of  business,  the  body 
set  apart  the  2d  Wednesday  of  November  as  a  day  of  humil- 
iation, fasting  and  prayer  for  God's  blessings  on  the  churches, 
6 


42  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

and  the  success  of  His  Gospel  amongst  the  unconverted. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Elder  Thomas  Bomar,  of  Bethlehem,  on  Christian  Liberty, 
and  is  given  in  full  in  this  work  in  the  notice  of  Elder  Bomar. 

DEMISE   OF    DEACONS. 

Deacons  Wra.  Lancaster,  of  Cedar  Springs  church,  and 
William  Davidson,  of  Buffalo  church,  are  noticed  in  the 
Minutes  as  having  died  within  the  past  associational  year. 
It  is  said,  "they  were  worthy,  pious  brethren,  gone  to  join 
the  general  assembly  or  association  of  glorified  souls,  where 
congregations    ne'er  break  up  and  Sabbaths  have  no  end." 

Remarks. — Bro.  William  Lancaster,  the  Free  Mason, 
although  he  ceased  to  act  as  Clerk  of  the  Association  in  1811, 
was  continued  as  a  delegate  from  the  Cedar  Springs  church 
up  to  the  session  of  1823,  and  died  some  time  between  that 
and  the  present  session  of  1824.  He  died  no  doubt  as  he 
had  lived — in  the  fear  and  favor  of  his  Maker,  and  in  the 
esteem  of  his  fellow-men. 

The  session  of  1825  convened  at  Buffalo  church,  York 
county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  by 
Elder  Joel  Blackwell,  of  Green  River  Church. 

Ebenezer  church  was  admitted  into  the  confederacy, 
making  39  in  all,  the  membership  of  which  is  2248. 

Elders  Drury  Dobbins  chosen  Moderater,  Berryman 
Hicks,  Clerk. 

Head  of  Enoree  and  Pacolet  churches  were  dismissed  to 
join  other  bodies. 

Caution. — An  impostor  by  the  name  of  John  Roberts, 
calling  himself  a  Baptist  preacheris  advertised  in  the  minutes 
of  this  session. 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  prepared  by  Elder 
Berryman  Hicks,  and  is  an  elaborate  essay  on  the  signification 
of  Bajjtism  and  what  it  seals  to  its  proper  subjects. 

Messengers. — The  French  Broad  sent  Elder  Humphrey 
Posey,  the  Mountain  sent  Elder  Reuben  Coffee,  the  Saluda 
sent  Elder  ISTathan  Berry  and  the  Charleston  sent  Elder 
Sam'l  Gibson  as  corresponding  Messengers  to  the  Broad 
River  at  its  present  session. 

Remarks. — This  session  of  the  Association  is  yet  in  the 
recollection  of  several  of  our  oldest  people. 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  43 

The  session  of  1826  met  at  Macedonia  church,  Spartan* 
burg  county,  S.  C.  Introductory  sermon  by  Elder  Drury 
Dobbins. 

The  Mount  Ararat  and  Bill's  Creek  churches  were  ad- 
mitted, making  a  union  of  41  churches.  Total  membership 
2090.  Elders  Drury  Dobbins  and  Berry  Hicks  were  elected 
Moderator  and  Clerk  as  at  previous  sessions. 

Courtesy. — An  invitation  was  then  given  by  the  Mod- 
erator in  behalf  of  the  Association  to  ministers  of  our  own 
and  other  christian  denominations,  in  good  order  in  their 
churches,  to  take  seats  within  the  bar  of  the  body,  and  aid 
in  the  deliberations;  when  the  Rev.  Mr.  Porter,  a  Presbyte- 
rian minister  and  Rev.  Sam'l  Gibson  of  our  own  order  ac- 
cepted the  invitation  and  took  part  in  the  proceedings.  The 
subject  for  discussion  being  the  utility  of  Bible  Societies. 
Pending  this  discussion  a  motion  was  made  that  the  Associ- 
tion  advise  the  churches  in  our  union  to  encourage  Bible 
Societies  which  was  adopted. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  written  by 
Bro.  Hugh  Quin,  of  Buffalo  church,  on  Law  and  Grace, 
which  is  republished  in  this  work  in  connection  with  the 
biographical  notice  of  Elder  Quin. 

MESSENGERS. 

The  following  ministers  attended  this  session  as  messen- 
gers from  other  bodies,  viz :  Thos.  Goodwin,  Larkin  Stepp 
from  Reedy  River,  Stephen  Mangum  from  French  Broad, 
Reuben  Coffee  from  Mountain,  Elias  Mitchell,  T.  S.  Greer, 
W.  Alexander  from  Bethel,  and  L.  Rector  from  the  Saluda 
River. 

Remarks. — As  a  matter  of  course  such  a  ministerial  at- 
tendance as  correspondents  would  impart  great  interest  to 
associational  work,  and  is  always  desirable. 

The  session  of  1827  convened  at  New  Prospect  church, 
Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  Elders  Berryman  Hicks  and 
Gabriel  Phillips  failing  to  put  in  an  appearance  at  the 
appointed  time,  Elder  Samuel  Gibson  delivered  the  introduc- 
tory discourse.  New  Bethany  and  Mount  Zion  were  admit- 
ted at  this  session,  making  a  union  of  41  churches.  Mem- 
bership 1908. 


44  BEOAD  EIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Elder  Gabriel  Phillips,  of  Bethlehem,  was  elected 
Moderator,  and  Bro.  Hugh  Quin,   Clerk. 

TREATING  CANDIDATES    AND  DRAM-DRINKING. 

The  Association  adopted  a  resolution  to  withhold  their 
support  from  any  candidate  for  office  who  may  be  found  in 
the  habit  of  treating  with  spirituous  liquors  to  obtain  votes. 
And  they  further  advise  all  the  members  of  the  body  to  ab- 
stain from  the  habitual  use  of  ardent  spirits  as  a  beverage. 

CATAWBA    RIVER    ASSOCIATION. 

Mount  Ruhamah,  Bill's  Creek,  Ebenezer,  Head  of  First 
Broad  River,  Big  Spring,  New  Bethany,  Silver  Creek  and 
Mountain  Creek  churches  were  dismissed  by  letter  to  form 
a  new  association,  which  was  the  Catawba  River  body. 

The  circular  of  this  year  was  written  by  Elder  Gabriel 
Phillips,  the  Moderator,  on  Intemperance. 

Remarks. — We  are  inclined  to  think,  judging  from  the 
maneuvering  of  the  brethren  of  this  session,  that  Prince 
Alcohol  was  holding  high  carnival  in  a  considerable  portion 
of  the  territory  of  which  the  Broad  River  Association  is 
composed,  and  to  some  extent  disturbing  the  peace  of  some 
of  the  churches,  and  hence  this  forward  movement  against 
him. 

The  session  of  1828  was  held  at  Concord  church,  Ruth- 
erford county,  IN.  C.  The  introductory  discourse  was  deliv- 
ered by  Elder  Thomas  Bomar,  of  Bethlehem  church.  There 
were  33  churches  left  in  the  union,  with  a  membership  of 
1588.  Elders  Drury  Dobbins  was  chosen  Moderator  and 
Phillip  Ramsour,    Clerk. 

North  Catawba,  Smyrna,  and  Double  Springs  were  dis- 
missed to  join  the  Catawba  River  Association. 

Query. — The  following  query  was  acted  on,  viz: 

"What  method  shall  be  taken  to  receive  a  member  again  into 
fellowship  in  a  sister  church  who  withdrew  himself  from  the  church 
to  which  he  belouged,  by  reason  of  a  charge  being  brought  against 
him  by  individuals  who  were  not  of  the  same  faith  and  order,  which 
church  has  since  been  dissolved  by  the  Association,  and  he  now 
wishes  to  join  the  nearest  church  to  him  ?" 

Answer.  "If  said  member  come  before  the  church  and  make 
suitable  acknowledgments  for  his  former  conduct,  he  can  be  received 
again  into  fellowship  according  to  Gospel  order." 

Impostors. — The  committee  appointed  to  examine  the 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  45 

Minutes  of  corresponding  associations,  reported  the  names 
of  Wm.  King,  D.  A.  Balconi  of  New  Jersey,  Doctor  Miller, 
John  Smith  of  Hudson  River,  Mark  Andrews,  Randolph 
Mabry,  Leonard  Prather,  and  Elisha  Revels  of  Sandy  Creek 
Associations  as  ministers  in  disorder. 

Remarks. — Now  here  is  a  list  of  eight  false  teachers — 
wolves  in  sheep's  clothing — who,  in  addition  to  those  already 
noticed,  are  traversing  the  country  over,  their  throats  doubt- 
less being  as  open  sepulchres,  their  tongues  full  of  deceitful 
lying,  having  the  poison  of  asps  concealed  under  them,  and 
their  lips  full  of  malicious  mischief  for  the  purpose  of  beguil- 
ing the  unwary  or  unsuspecting.  We  should  not,  however, 
be  surprised  at  this,  for  we  read  in  the  book  of  Job  : 

"Now  there  was  a  clay  when  the  sons  of  God  came  to  present 
(themselves  to  the  Lord,  and  Satan  came  also  among  them.  And  the 
Lord  said  unto  Satan,  'Whence  comest  thou  ?'  Then  Satan  answer- 
ed the  Lord  and  said,  'From  going  to  and  fro  in  the  earth,  and  from 
walking  up  and  down  in  it.'  " 

The  several  false  teachers  advertised  at  this  session,  to- 
gether with  the  others  heretofore  noticed  and  subsequently 
to  be  noticed,  will  be  considered  very  fit  representatives  of 
their  old  father — the  Devil — who  distinguished  himselt  in 
Job's  day  and  time.  But  as  God,  our  great  leader,  is  at  all 
times  much  stronger  than  the  devil,  we  may,  with  great  con- 
fidence, expect  that  his  strategy  and  great  cunning  will  in 
the  end  prove  a  failure,  and  he  will  be  compelled  to  succumb 
at  last  and  submit  to  the  humiliating  terms  of  being  only 
second  best,  in  the  great  struggle  in  which  he  is  engaged  to 
destroy  the  souls  of  men. 

The  Gircular  Letter  for  this  year  is  the  production  of 
Elder  George  Wilkie,  of  Antioch  church.  Subject,  Where- 
fore thou  art  no  more  a  Servant,  but  a  Son  ;  and  if  a  Son,  then 
an  heir  of  God  through  Christ. 

Remarks. — Elder  M.  C.  Barnett,  associational  historian, 
in  noticing  this  letter,  says  its  method  is  as  follows  : 

1.  In  what  sense  are  believers  the  sons  of  God?  2.  In  what  re- 
spect are  they  called  heirs  ?  3.  What  is  the  heritage  they  are  enti- 
tled to  ?  4.  How  they  attain  to  this  privilege  ?  And  5.  The  wonder- 
ful free  grace  of  God  in  granting  them  this  privilege  ? 

Negatively,  Not  the  sons  of  God  only  by  creation,  for  so  are  all 
men.  Not  only  by  Providence,  not  by  external  profession,  but  pos- 
itively by  electing  grace  ;  by  regeneration,  by  adoption,  by  sanctin- 


46  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

cation.  He  allows  them  te»  share  in  His  fatherly  love ;  to  participate 
in  the  inheritance  of  their  elder  brother.  The  Holy  Ghost  is  their 
comforter,  and  so  on— high-strung  predestinarianism  from  begin- 
ning to  end.  In  the  end  he  draws  a  strong  conclusion  from  the  sov- 
ereignty of  grace  to  humility  and  good  works."  Alas!  George 
Wilkie  became  heterodox  in  the  faith,  and  disorderly,  and  was 
expelled  from  the  church.  He  baptized  us  in  the  fellowship  of  the 
Antioch  church,  York  county,  S.  O. 

The  session  of  1829  was  held  at  Antioch  Church,  York 
county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  by 
Elder  James  Eainwaters,  of  Philadelphia  church. 

The  union  consists  of  31  churches,  baptized  102;  mem- 
bership 1653.  Elders  Drury  Dobbins  was  chosen  Mode- 
rator and  Phillip  Ramsour,  Clerk. 

Query. — Is  it  consistent  with  the  Gospel  for  a  Baptist  church 
to  receive  a  person  into  fellowship  wTho  has  been  immersed  by  an 
administrator  of  a  different  denomination,  and  recognize  such  as 
valid  baptism  ?    Answer. — No. 

FALSE    TEACHERS. 

The  committee  on  corresponding  minutes  reported  the 
names  of  Jesse  Dinson  of  the  Bethel,  and  Jeremiah  Cannon 
of  the  Charleston  Associations,  to  be  Baptist  preachers  in 
disorder. 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  prepared  by  Elder 
Drury  Dobbins,  of  Sandy  Run  church,  on  the  Divinity  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

Remarks. — This  session  of  the  Association  is  recollected 
by  the  writer  of  these  notes  as  being  the  first  he  ever  attend- 
ed, then  in  his  18th  year.  He  recollects  well  of  seeingElder 
Drury  Dobbins  lor  the  first  time,  his  locks  then  being  as 
black  as  the  wings  of  a  raven,  and  voice  smooth  and  eloquent. 
lie  preached  during  the  session  and  was  much  admired  by 
the  audience.  He  also  recollects  well  the  discourses  of  Elder 
Samuel  MeCreary,  a  corresponding  messenger  from  the 
Bethel  Association. 

We  joined  the  church  at  Antioch  in  1831.  Fiftv-three 
years  have  passed  away  since  that  memorable  session  of  the 
Broad  River  Association.  What  new  scenes  and  changes 
have  we  past  since  then  ! 

"Oh  !  to  grace,  how  great  a  debtor,  daily  we're  constrained  to  be  ; 
Let  Thy  grace,    Lord,   like  a  fetter,  bind  our  wandering  hearts  to 

Thee!" 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  4? 

The  session  of  1830  was  held  at  Cedar  Springs  church-, 
Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
delivered  by  Elder  Drury  Dobbins.  There  were  31  churohes 
in  the  union,  with  a  membership  of  1634.  Elders  Dobbins 
and  Ramsour  were  re-elected  Moderator  and  Clerk. 

Query. — The  following  query  came  from  Macedonia 
church,  where  they  are  beginning  to  have  trouble  with  Elder 
Jonathan  Guthrie  ; 

"When  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  withdraws  from  a  Baptist 
church  in  consequence  of  the  principles  held  by  it,  has  said  church 
a  right  to  demand  his  credentials?"    Answer.  "Yes." 

SABBATH-SCHOOLS  AND  SLAVES. 

A  resolution  recommending  the  establishment  of  Sab- 
bath  Schools  and  the  Scriptural  instruction  of  slaves,  was 
adopted  by  the  body. 

Thomas  Bomar. — The  demise  of  Elder  Thomas  Bomar, 
of  Bethlehem  church,  was  noticed  in  the  Minutes  of  this 
session.  (See  biographical  sketch  of  Elder  Bomar.)  The 
Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  written  by  Elder  Berry- 
man  Hicks,  on  the  Qualifications  and  office-work  of  a  Deacon. 

The  session  of  1831  was  convened  at  Buck  Creek,  Spar- 
tanburg county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  discourse  was  de- 
livered by  Elder  Berryman  Hicks,  of  Buffalo  church.  High 
Shoals  church  was  admitted  into  the  confederacy,  making  32 
in  all,  with  a  membership  of  1537. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  Berryman  Hicks 
Moderator  and  Elder  Phillip  Ramsour,  Clerk. 

Queries.— The  following  queries  came  up  from  Phila- 
delphia and  Cedar  Springs  :        » 

1.  Does  the  Word  of  God  forbid  a  church  to  ordain  a  brother  to 
the  office  of  deacon  whose  wife  is  not  a  member  of  the  church  ?" 

Answer.  "No ;  provided  the  wife  profess  (abstractly,)  and  has 
the  prudence  and  faithfulness  of  a  good  wife." 

2.  "What  shall  a  church  do  with  members  who  have  been  con- 
tending about  a  matter,  and  agree  to  drop  it  and  live  together  in  the 
church,  but  will  not  commune  together?" 

Answer.  "They  should  be  dealt  with  as  disorderly  members,— 
first  by  admonition,  and  if  that  should  prove  ineffectual,  then  by 
excommunication." 

MACEDONIA   COMMITTEE. 

A  committee  appointed  at  last  session  to  attend  at  Mac- 
edonia  church  and  look   into  her  standing,    reported  the 


48  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION, 

church  as  being  in  order,  and  their  former  pastor,  Jonathan 
Guthrie,  in  disorder;  whereupon  the  Association  advised 
the  churches  composing  the  Broad  River  Association  to  close 
their  houses  of  public  worship  against  the  said  Guthrie ; 
and  they  further  advise  the  members  of  the  several  churches- 
to  close  the  doors  of  their  dwellings  against  him  as  a  preacher. 

Remarks. — The  writer  of  this  work  recollects  Johnathan 
Guthrie,  who  ran  very  well  for  a  time.  He  was  talented  and 
popular  as  a  preacher,  and  bade  fair  to  be  a  shining  light  in 
the  Association.  Pie  first  appeared  a  lay  delegate  from  Mac- 
edonia in  1820  and  was  licensed  to  preach  soon  after,  and  in 
1821  represented  Macedonia  again  as  a  licensed  preacher.  He 
was  in  a  short  time  after  this  ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry; 
and  continued  to  represent  Macedonia  church  until  the  ses- 
sion of  1829,  at  Antioch  church,  where  he  preached  accepta- 
bly and  was  a  prominent  and  rather  conspicuous  leader  in 
the  business  of  the  Association.  But  soon  after,  alas!  he  fell 
into  disorder  and  shame.  Intemperance  and  lascivousness 
were  first  charged,  then  heterodoxy  in  the  faith.  After  preach- 
ing a  while  at  such  places  as  would  receive  him  and  to  such 
con o- relations  as  would  attend  to  hear  him,  he  finallv  sank 
out  of  notice  in  the  religious  world.  Like  the  sow  that  was 
washed,  he  returned  to  his  wallowing  again  in  the  mire,  and 
like  the  dog  he  returned  to  take  up  his  filthy  vomit.  Alas  ! 
for  poor  depraved  human  nature  when  destitute  of  the  cleans- 
ing virtue  of  God's  grace! 

The  session  of  1832  was  held  at  Sandy  Bun  church, 
Cleveland  county,  N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  de- 
livered by  Elder  John  G.  Landrum,  then  of  Mount  Zion 
church. 

The  union  consists  of  32  churches,  with  a  membership 
of  2111.  There  were  during  the  past  year  574  baptisms. 
The  fruits  of  a  glorious  revival  of  religion  among  the 
churches. 

Elders  Berrvman  Plicks  was  elected  Moderator  and 
John  W.  Lewis,  Clerk. 

Queries. — The  following  queries  were  taken  up  and 
elicited  considerable  discussion,  viz  : 

"Have  we  any  command  in  the  word  ot  God,  for  the   laj'ingon 
of  hands  on  those  whom  we  baptize  ?  "     Answer.     "No." 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  49 

2.  "How  should  a  church  act  under  these  circumstances:  A 
man  marries  a  woman,  twenty  years  since,  and  from  peculiar  reasons 
lives  with  her  but  a  very  short  time;  he  then  removes  to  another 
State,  leaves  his  first  wife  behind  and  marries  within  a  short  time 
another  woman,  with  this  second  wife  he  lives  about  eighteen 
years  and  has  a  considerable  family  of  children  :  about  this  time 
himself  and  second  wife  profess  to  obtain  religion,  and  one  of  them 
applies  for  admittance  into  the  membership  of  the  church  :  at  the 
same  time  it  is  reported  and  believed  that  his  first  wife  is  dead, — can 
they  be  received  as  members  ?" 

Postponed  until  next  year  for  consideration. 
EMANCIPATION    OF    SLAVES. 

At  this  session  a  package  of  pamphlets  was  handed  in 
from  the  Colonization  Society,  which  was  promptly  rejected. 

Remarks. — The  abolition  of  slavery  was  then  being* 
greatly  agitated  throughout  the  whole  northern  portion  of 
the  country,  consequently  Southern  slave-owners  would  look 
upon  a  package  of  that  kind  as  comparable  to  a  fire-brand 
or  bomb-shell  thrown  in  among  them  by  an  enemy,  not  only 
to  destroy  the  institution  of  slavery,  but  to  destroy  the  peace 
and  quietude  of  a  large  portion  of  the  Southern  churches 
and  people.  It  might  well  be  expected  by  the  Northern  agi- 
tators that  the  Southern  people  would  resist  even  unto  death 
so  gross  an  interference  with  their  chartered  constitutional 
rights.  But,  says  the  anti-slavery  party,  the  members  of  the 
colonization  society  did  not  contemplate  the  abolition  ot 
slavery  by  any  legal  enactment,  or  by  any  change  in  the 
fundamenta!  law  of  the  countrv — thev  only  intended  the 
gradual  emancipation  of  the  slaves  by  the  consent  of  their 
owners,  and  in  that  way  relieve  the  Southern  people  of  what 
thev  considered  a  growing  evil  to  them.  While  the  nation 
would  thereby  be  relieved  of  the  damning  sin  of  slavery, 
which  acted  as  a  blot  as  they  alleged  upon  our  professions  ot 
republican  freedom  and  the  equal  rights  of  mankind.  Our 
brethren,  however,  were  sensitive  as  to  their  vested  rights, 
and  were  fully  aware  of  the  approaching  crusade  against 
them.  The  abolition  or  destruction  of  the  institution  or 
slavery  had  been  unmistakably  decreed,  "peaceably  if  wre 
can,  or  forcibly  if  we  must/'  and  therefore  if  a  scheme  of 
apparent  mildness  was  first  put  forward  for  the  purpose  and 
proved  insufficient,  it  only  paved  the  way  or  served  as  an 
entering  wedge  for  something  more  efficient,  which  the  agi- 
7 


<e 


50  BEOAD  KIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

tators  would  never  fail  to  bring  forward,  bearing1  direction 
on  the  mooted  question  at  issue. 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  written  by  Dr.  J. 
W.  Lewis,  of  Mount  Zion  church,  on  the  proper  method  for 
a  church  to  'pursue  in  calling  a  pastor  or  supply,  and  the  duties 
incumbent  on  them  to  each  other.  We  publish  this  letter  in  full 
in  our  notice  of  Dr.  J.  W.  Lewis.  Dr.  Lewis  was  the  patron 
and  friend  of  Elder  John  G.  Landrum  in  his  early  ministe- 
rial life.  Elder  Drurv  Scrubs  as  a  licentiate  Avas  in  this 
session. 

The  session  of  1833  convened  at  Long  Creek  church, 
Gaston  county,  1ST.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preach- 
ed by  Elder  Drury  Dobbins,  of  Sandy  Run.  The  union  con- 
sisted of  31  churches.  314  members,  as  the  fruit  of  the 
religious  revival  of  this  period,  were  baptized  during  the  past 
year.     Total  membership,  2503. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elders  Drury  Dobbins 
Moderator,  and  John  W.  Lewis,  Clerk. 

Queries. — The  following  queries  were  taken  up  and 
disposed  of,  viz  : 

1.  "Shall  an  able-bodied  male  member  of  a  church  be  retained 
in  fellowship  who  never  contributes  anything  to  the  support  of  the 
church  to  which  he  belongs,  without  giving  satisfactory  reasons  for 
it?'(     Answer.  "No." 

2.  The  query  of  last  session  (See  notice  of  hist  year's  record)  was 
answered  as  follows,  viz  :  "'As  we  are  unacquainted  with  the  pecu- 
liar circumstances  mentioned  in  the  query,  we  feel  unprepared  to 
give  a  definite  answer,  but  in  general  terms  we  would  say  that  we 
know  of  but  two  circumstances  under  which  a  man  is  justifiable  in 
putting  away  his  wife,  or  the  wife  her  husband,  and  these  are  for 
the  cause  of  fornication,  and  in  case  of  an  invalid  marriage, — in  both 
of  which  cases  when  either  are  proven  beyond  doubt,  we  conceive 
the  innocent  party  to  be  justifiable  in  a  second  marriage,  and  entitled 
to  church  privileges." 

TYGER    RIVER    ASSOCIATION. 

Mount  Zion,  Holly  Springs,  Bethlehem,  Washington, 
and  Head  of  Tyger  River  churches  were  dismissed,  at  their 
request,  fof  the  purpose  of  uniting  with  other  churches  to 
form  the  Tyger  River  Association. 

Remarks. — This  body  was  formed  soon  afterwards. 
Elders  John  G.  Landrum  and  John  W.  Lewis  were  both 
delegated  from  Mount  Zion  church,  and  were  in  the  session 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  51 

of  the  Broad  River  that  we  are  now  noticing,  Dr.  Lewis  act- 
ing clerk  of  the  body.  We  very  well  recollect  the  youthful 
and  slender  appearance  of  Landrum,  while  exhibiting  the 
Gospel  in  his  earnest  and  pathetic  way  to  the  large  congre- 
gations which  attended  that  session  of  the  Association.  He 
was  a  great  revivalist,  and  spoke  cheering  words  of  a  good 
work  of  grace  then  going  on  in  the  region  of  country  he  rep- 
resented, embracing  portions  of  Spartanburg  and  Greenville 
counties,  in  South  Carolina,  which  seemed  to  pervade  the 
country  where  he  and  Dr.  Lewis  had  been  laboring.  Lewis 
was  a  man  of  considerable  bulk,  a  little  over  the  medium 
size,  heavy  build,  with  large  chest,  and  stentorian  voice,  and 
a  good  preacher — although  not  as  acceptable  as  Landrum. 

Dr.  Wait. — The  venerable  Dr.  Samuel  Wait  attended 
this  session  of  the  Association — a  man  who  did  more,  it  is 
said,  for  the  development  of  the  educational  interests  of 
!N"o#th  Carolina  than  any  other  man  living  at  any  time  in  the 
State.  Whether  this  be  true  or  not,  it  is  certain  that  his  in- 
fluence upon  the  Baptists  was  very  great,  and  he  was  the 
man  to  whom  more  than  to  any  other  the  denomination  is 
indebted  for  the  Baptist  State  Convention,  being  the  first 
and  most  efficient  agent  of  that  body ;  and  as  the  founder  ot 
Wake  Forest  College  he  has  laid  our  people  under  the  most 
sacred  obligations  to  cherish  his  memory  with  grateful  affec- 
tion. Dr.  Wait  was  born  in  Washington  count}7,  New  York, 
Dec.  19th,  1780,  says  the  Baptist  Encyclopedia,  and  was  con- 
sequently 53  years  of  age  at  this  session  of  the  Association 
but  looked  as  though  he  was  more  than  three-score  and  ten. 
It  is  strange  there  is  no  mention  of  Dr.  Wait  in  the  Minutes 
of  the  session.  So  strange  was  the  state  of  feeling  existing 
at  that  time  between  the  North  and  South  on  the  slavery 
question,  that  even  christian  courtesies  were  withheld.  It  is 
possible  that  angels  may  sometimes  be  entertained  unawares. 
We  know  of  our  own  personal  knowledge  that  Dr.  Wait  at- 
tended this  meeting  of  the  Association,  and  preached  several 
good  sermons  under  the  requests  of  the  people,  sent  up  to 
the  body  through  the  committee  on  religious  exercises. 

The  Circular  Letter  was  prepared  by  Elder  Phillip  Ram- 
sour,  on  the  method  to  be  'pursued  to  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit 
in  the  bonds  of  peace. 


52  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Fast  Day. — The  body  requested  the  churches  to  observe 
Christmas  day  and  the  fourth  of  July  as  days  of  religious 
worship  every  year.  And  the  first  day  of  January  next  as  a 
day  of  fasting  and  prayer. 

The  session  of  1834  was  held  at  Goucher  Creek  church, 
Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
delivered  by  Elder  Berryman  Hicks,  from  1  Tim.  iv.  16. 

The  union  consisted  of  26  churches.  Baptized,  109. 
Total  number  of  members  in  the  several  churches,  1748. 

The  body  elected  Elders  Drury  Dobbins  Moderator  and 
Phillip  Ramsour,  Clerk.     Shiloh  church  was  admitted. 

Bro.  James  M.  Webb  was  a  delegated  licentiate  from 
the  Hi°;h  Shoal  church  this  session,  beino-  the  first  he  ever 
attended  as  a  deles-ate. 

Query. — The  following  query  was  taken  up  for  discus- 
sion, viz  : 

"Is  it  consistent  with  the  Gospel  to  receive  into  the  fellowship 
of  the  church  persons  who  have  been'  baptized  by  a  minister  in  dis- 
order, without  re  baptizing  them?"     Answer.  "No." 

Correspondence  was  opened  with  the  Tyger  River  Asso- 
ciation, recently  formed  of  part  of  the  churches  of  this  body. 

JAMES  LEWIS,  OF  GASTON  COUNTY,  N.  C. 

The  demise  of  Elder  Jas.  Lewis,  of  Long  Creek  church, 
is  noticed  in  the  Minutes  of  this  session,  viz: 

"It  becomes  our  painful  duty  to  record  the  death  of  our  beloved 
brother,  James  Lewis,  under  which  dispensation  we  desire  to  feel 
deeply  humbled  under  God,  and  sympathize  with  t he  bereaved 
widow  and  fatherless  children  ;  but  we  would  'not  sorrow  as  those 
who  have  no  hope.'  What  is  our  present  loss  is  his  everlasting 
gain." 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  written  by  Elder 
Berryman  Hicks,  on  the  design  of  circumcision,  and  the  differ- 
ence between  that  and  baptism. 

Fast  Days. — The  body  again  urged  the  churches  to  ob- 
serve Christmas  day  and  Ihe  fourth  of  July  as  days  of  relig- 
ious worship  every  year. 

Remarks. — The  writer  recollects  well  that  it  was  cus- 
tomary about  this  period  ot  the  world's  history,  to  celebrate 
these  memorable  anniversaries  in  a  very  loose,  licentious  and 
wicked  manner,  by  reveling  and  excessive  debauchery, 
amounting  generally  to  a  complete  desecration  instqgid  of 
grateful   recollection  of  the  festival   days  meant  to  be  cele- 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  53 

forated.  Unfortunately  the  heathenish  practice,  although  in 
a  degree  checked,  is  not  yet  wholly  abated. 

The  session  of  1835  met  at  Wolf's  Creek  church,  Spar- 
tanburg county,  S.  C,  The  introductory  sermon  was  deliv- 
ered by  Elder  James  M.  Webb,  of  High  Shoals  church. 

There  were  26  churches  in  the  union, and  a  membership 
of  1751.  The  body  organized  with  Elders  Drury  Dobbins 
Moderator,  and  Phillip  Ramsour,  Clerk. 

ABOLITION"   OF  SLAVERY. 

After  the  usual  routine  of  associational  business  was 
transacted,  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were  in- 
troduced and  discussed  at  some  length  and  unanimously 
adopted  by  the  body,  viz: 

"Whereas,  the  Abolitionists  in  the  Northern  States  have  cir- 
culated certain  incendiary  pa?n]3hlets,  prejudicial  to  the  interests  of 
the  South,  and  the  same  are  calculated  to  create  much  disturbance 
in  our  christian  community,  inasmuch  as  such  productions  have 
been  sent  to  ministers  and  private  members  of  churches,  contrary  to 
their  wishes  and  without  their  consent;  and  whereas,  ministers  of 
t he  Gospel  are  liable,  in  this  way,  to  have  their  usefulness  much 
■diminished  in  a  community  whose  feelings  are  hostile  to  such  senti- 
ments.    Therefore 

Resolved,  That  this  Association  disclaim  all  communion  with 
those  engaged  in  sending  abroad  productions  so  corrupt  and  poison- 
ous, and  that  we  will  in  future  look  with  indignation  and  contempt 
upon  any  such  efforts  as  are  calculated  to  disturb  the  best  interests 
and  peace  of  our  country,  and  we  recommend  the  same  course  to  our 
churches  and  sister  associations." 

Remarks. — The  abolition  troubles  were  being:  a'radu- 
ally  and  insidiously  pushed  along  by  designing  abolition 
politicians,  and  also  by  those  in  many  instances  professing 
to  be  the  ministers  of  peace  and  reconciliation  through  the 
cross  of  Christ.  The  leaven  was  steadily  at  work  which 
eventually  brought  about  the  emancipation  of  negro  slavery 
and  one  of  the  bloodiest  of  wars  recorded  any  where  in  the 
annals  of  the  country, — a  weighty  responsibility  which 
rests  somewhere,  and  in  the  great  day  of  accounts  the  guilty 
parties  will  have  but  a  poor  opportunity  to  dodge  it. 

DISORDERLY    PREACHERS. 

The  committee  to  examine  the  Minutes  of  correspond- 
ing bodies,  reported  the  names  of  Richard  Johnson,  K.  Hen- 
drine,  Samuel  Thompson  and  Jesse  Denson  as  preachers  in 
disorder  in  the, bounds  of  the  Tyger  River  Association. 


54  BKOAD  EIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Remarks. — There  was  scarcely  ever  a  good  bank  char- 
tered that  did  not  receive  some  annoyance  from  counterfeit- 
ers; the  laws,  however,  are  generally  made  severe  on  such, 
and  should  be  rigidly  enforced  to  deter  others  from  pursuing 
a  course  so  vile  and  deceitful. 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  prepared  by  Elder 
Drury  Dobbins,  on  the  duty  of  a  church  in  the  choice  of  a  Deacon. 

The  session  of  1836  was  held  at  Zion  church,  Cleveland 
county,  N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  by 
Elder  Jas.  Rainwaters,  of  Philadelphia  church.  The  union 
consists  of  26  churches,  with  a  membership  of  1749. 

Organization. — Elders  Berryman  Hicks  was  elected 
Moderator  and  Phillip  Ramsour,  Clerk. 

Bro.  S.  G.  Hamilton,  of  Green  Riverr  was  a  delegated 
licentiate. 

Personal. — The  compiler  of  this  associational  history 
was  a  delegate  to  the  Association  from  Antioch  church  at 
this  session  (then  in  his  26th  year,)  accompanied  by  his  young 
wife,  having  married  a  short  time  previous  to  the  meeting. 
He  acted  as  reading  clerk,  and  has  been  in  nearly  all  the 
sessions  of  the  body  since,  up  to  the  time  of  the  formation  of 
the  King's  Mountain  Association  in  1851,  and  can  truthfully 
sav  that  he  has  greatlv  enioyed  the  many  annual  reunions  of 
the  brethren  that  have  been  held  subsequent  to  his  first  ap- 
pearance in  •this  very  pleasant  session  at  Zion.  He  hopes 
that  in  the  Providence  of  God  he  will  be  permitted  to  enjoy 
yet  the  pleasant  annual  sessions  of  the  bod}T;  and  although 
doubtless  he  will  ere  long  cross  over  the  river,  and  not  be 
permitted  to  witness  the  centennial  session  in  1900,  vet  he 
as  an  humble  christian  looks  forward,  with  a  more  lively 
interest,  to  the  inheritance  laid  up  in  store  for  the  finally 
faithful. 

The  Circular  Letter  was  prepared  by  Elder  Berryman 
Hicks,  on  the  nature  of  Pojoery,  and  its  probable  tendency  in  the 
United  States  of  America. 

Remarks. — This  is  quite  an  elaborate  essay,  and  we 
really  wish   we  could   republish  it   entire.     A  few  extracts, 

however,  must  suffice  : 

"Juduizing  teachers  were  the  first  to  corrupt  Christianity.    See 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  55 

the  Epistle  to  the  Galatians.  Bowing  to  the  east,  the  celebration  of 
Easter,  the  use  of  the  sign  of  the  Cross,  and  of  sponsors,  with  some 
other  inventions,  were  established  in  the  second  century.  Councils 
which  were  frequently  held  in  the  third  century  greatly  increased 
the  power  of  the  priesthood,  and  gave  the  right  of  their  authority  to 
pernicious  innovations.  The  number  of  church  officers  were  enlarged, 
ii  regular  hierarchy  was  fast  forming,  and  idle  ceremonies  were  in- 
vented in  abundance.  Anno  Domini  306,  Constantine,  the  Great, 
ascended  the  throne,  and  very  soon  remodeled  Christianity  as  to  its 
external  forms  and  made  it  a  State  engine.  Wealth  and  power  flowed 
in  a  pace,  magnificent  buildings,  splendid  decorations  and  rites — 
often  borrowed  from  paganism — were  thought  to  be  the  religion  of 
Him  who  was  meek  and  lowly  of  heart,  and  the  graduation  of  rank 
in  the  church  was  assimilated  as  much  as  possible  to  that  adopted  in 
the  State. 

"Anno  Domini  325,  the  council  of  Nice.  Here  christians  first 
learned  to  persecute  those  who  differed  from  them,  and  the  lesson  is 
scarcely  yet  forgotten.  The  fourth  and  fifth  centuries  were  distin- 
guished by  the  increasing  prevalence  of  superstition, — such  as  pil- 
grimages to  supposed  holy  places,  relic  hunting,  monasticisms,  nu- 
merous fasts  and  feasts,  auricular  confessions,  prayers  to  the  saints, 
■&o.  Anno  Domini  606,  the  Bishop  of  Rome  assumed  '  the  title  of 
Universal  Bishop.  A.  D.  754  the  Pope  became  a  temporal  Prince,  by 
acquiring  (he  exarchate  of  Ravenna.  A  D.  787,  image  worship, 
sanctioned  by  the  seventh  general  council  held  at  Nice.  Transub- 
stantiation  was  first  taught  by  Paschasius  Radbuitus,  in  the  ninth 
century.  In  the  eleventh  century,  Gregory,  the  seventh,  assumed 
supremacy  over  princes  as  well  as  prelates,  and  arrogated  to  himself 
the  right  of  disposing  crowns.  He  also  interdicted  the  use  of  litur- 
gies in  any  other  language  than  the  Latin.  The  traffic  in  indulgen- 
ces began  in  the  twelfth  century.  A.  D.  1215,  communion  in  one 
kind  established.  A.  D.  1229,  the  inquisition  formed,  and  the  use  of 
the  Scriptures  in  the  vernacular  language  prohibited.  A.  D.  1414, 
the  council  of  Constantine,  at  which  it  was  agreed  that  faith  is  not 
to  be  kept  with  heretics.  A.  D.  1517,  the  Reformation  commenced 
in  January.  A.  D.  1540,  the  order  of  Jesuits  instituted.  A.  D.  1546, 
the  council  of  Trent  opened  its  deliberations,  which  terminated  in 
J563.  By  this  council  the  errors  and  absurdities  of  the  Papal  system 
were  solemnly  authorized. 

''A  scrutiny  of  ecclesiastical  history  will  lead  to  the  conclusion 
that  almost  every  corruption  in  Christianity  may  be  traced  to  the 
lusts  of  power  and  the  pride  of  false  philosophy.  Thevulgate  is  a 
very  ancient  translation  of  the  Bible,  and  the  only  one  acknowl- 
edged by  the  Church  of  Rome  to  be  authentic.  A  very  heavy  charge 
lies  against  it,  with  the  additions  of  Pope  Clement  VIII.,  viz:  that 
they  have  new  texts  added,  and  many  old  ones  altered,  to  counte- 
nance and  confirm  the  Roman  Catholic  doctrine. 

"No  country  perhaps  has  ever  produced  more  martyrs  than 
France.    There  was  a  violent  persecution  against  the  Protestants  in 


56  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION, 

the  year  1562,  in  the  reign  of  Charles  IX.  Many  of  the  principal 
Protestants  were  invited  to  Paris,  upon  a  solemn  oath  of  safety  upon 
the  occasion  of  the  marriage  of  the  King  of  Navarre,  with  the  French 
King's  sister.  The  Queendowager  of  Navarre,  a  zealous  Protestant, 
however,  was  poisoned  by  a  pair  of  gloves.,  before  the  marriage  was 
solemnized.  Coliguy,  Admiral  of  France,  was  basely  murdered  in 
his  own  house,  to  gratify  the  malice  of  the  Duke  of  Guisci,  and  after 
a  thousand  indignities  offered  to  his  body  it  was  hung  by  the  feet  to 
a  gibbet.  After  this,  the  murderers  ravaged  the  whole  city  of  Paris, 
and  butchered  within  three  days  above  ten  thousand  lords,  gentle- 
men, presidents,  and  people  of  all  ranks.  A  horrible  scene  of  things, 
says  Thuanus,  existed  when  the  very  streets  and  passages  resounded 
with  the  noise  of  those  who  were  dying,  and  the  shrieks  of  those  who 
were  going  to  be  butchered  were  everywhere  heard. 

"In  conclusion,  we  say  how  are  we  to  avert  the  storm  that  seems 
to  be  hanging  over  us?  Is  persecution  the  proper  remedy?  No. 
Is  a  troublous  mob,  excited  to  destroy  their  property  and  temples  ? 
By  no  means.  Toleration  is  our  peculiar  boast.  Let  it  be  fully  and 
sincerely  manifested  to  all  men,  but  with  a  becoming  zeal  toward 
God,  earnestly  contending  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints. 
And  there  followed  another  angel,  saying:  'Babylon  is  fallen,  that 
great  city,  because  she  made  all  nations  to  drink  of  the  wine  of  the 
wrath  of  her  fornication." 

The  writer  of  this  letter  very  plainly  points  bow  the 
"mother  church"  (as  some  are  pleased  to  call  the  Roman 
Catholic  church)  became  a  corrupt  hierarchy,  and  indeed  a 
'mother  of  harlots.'  There  were,  at  the  time  that  letter  was 
written,  about  400  organizations  in  the  United  States  called 
Catholic  churches.  How  is  it  now ?  So  exeat  has  been  the 
anxiety  of  the  Sea  of  R  >me  to  captivate  an  1  capture  the 
un.wary  citizens  and  people  of  free  America,  that  he  has  in 
a  measure  metamorphosed  the  churches  of  his  faith  and  order, 
by  manipulating  their  litany,  and  so  accommodating  their 
ritual  of  worship  to  the  mode  of  other  denominations.  Ro- 
man Catholicism  in  the  United  States  is  very  different  now 
from  what  it  once  was  in  the  old  world.  Their  fine  cathe- 
drals, gorgeous  pews  and  enchanting  music,  with  modified 
liturgy,  are  designed  to  attract  the  aristocratic,  vain  and  irre- 
ligious portions  of  mankind,  and  through  instrumentalities 
of  this  nature,  congregations  or  followers  are  easily  obtained. 
The  next  thing  is  the  establishment  of  schools  and  semina- 
ries of  learning,  equipped  properly  with  the  highest  grades 
of  scholarship.     And   before  the   unsuspecting,  patronizing 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  57 

parent  is  aware  of  his  mistake,  the  minds  of  his  children 
are  so  moulded  at  these  Catholic  schools  as  to  cause  them  to 
imbibe  the  principles  of  their  tutors,  and  the  so-called  church 
is  thereby  strengthened  and  built  up. 

It  is  our  impression  that  the  Catholic  Church  has  so  far 
departed  from  the  truth  and  so  grievously  perverted  it  as  to 
forfeit  all  claim  to  the  title  of  a  church  of  Christ.  The  ex- 
ternal organization  of  it  is  obviously  not  that  taught  by  Christ 
and  His  Apostles.  As  to  this  matter,  everything  in  the  Bi- 
ble is  simple.  The  Kingdom  of  Christ  is  not  of  outward 
observation  :  its  seat  is  in  the  hearts  and  affections  of  men 
— its  elements  are  righteousness,  and  peace,  and  joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost.  The  great  object  of  the  Apostles  and  first 
preachers  of  the  doctrines  of  Christ,  was  to  win  men  to  the 
belief  and  to  the  practice  of  the  Truth.  When  men  believed 
the  truth  they  were  baptized,  and  were  thus  introduced  into 
the  communion  of  the  saints;  and  not  a  word  is  said  about 
popes,  patriarchs,  cardinals,  metropolitans,  prelates,  or  of 
the  duty  of  implicit  obedience  to  their  authority.  There  is 
a  government  enjoined,  but  it  is  as  free  and  as  simple  as  one 
can  well  conceive,  whilst  that  of  the  Catholic  church  is  as 
despotic  and  as  absurdly  pompous  as  one  can  well  imagine. 
As  this  external  obligation  is  certainly  not  taught  in  the 
Bible,  the  question  arises,  where  did  it  come  from  ? 

The  answer  to  this  question  is  to  us  very  plain.  As  the  ' 
early  church  advanced  in  numbers,  influence  and  wealth,  it 
gradually  lost  the  martyr  spirit  of  its  founders.  Its  minis- 
ters became  corrupt,  secular  and  ambitious.  By  degrees, 
bishops  from  an  office  became  an  order.  As  Rome  was  the 
metropolis  of  the  world  (and  it  is  there  that  the  greatest 
number  of  martyrs  had  shed  their  blood,)  the  bishop  of  the 
metropolitan  city  soon  became  pre-eminent  among  the  breth- 
ren. jSTow  the  State  souo-ht  the  influence  of  the  church  to 
assist  in  maintaining  its  authority,  and  the  church  sought 
the  influence  of  the  State  to  assist  in  building  up  its  ghostly 

dominion.  Each  yielded  to  the  request  of  the  other.  The 
church  rapidly  extended,  and  the  ambition  of  priests  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  o-overnino-  it  after  the  model  of  the  State. 
Rome  must  be  the  center  of  ecclesiastical  as  of  civil  power. 
The  State  had  its  Caesar,  the  Church  must  have  its  Pope ; 
8 

\ 


58  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Caesar  had  his  governors  of  provinces,  the  Pope  must  have 
his  patriarchs.  The  governors  had  their  subordinates,  and 
these  again  theirs — down  to  the  very  lowest  office — so  that 
the  patriarchs  had  their  archbishops,  these  theirbishops,  and 
these  their  priests,  and  so  down  to  the  very  lowest  office  in 
the  church.  As  in  the  State,  all  civil  authority  emanated 
from  Caesar,  and  all  disputes  were  finally  referable  to  him  ; 
so  in  the  church  all  ecclesiastical  authority  emanated  from 
the  Pope,  and  he  was  made  the  final  judge  of  all  disputes. 

The  foregoing  is  the  outline  of  Roman  Catholicism  as  it 
originated  and  progressed  through  a  long   series   of  years 
after  the  days  of  the  Apostles.     It  was  during  this  period  of- 
time  that  extreme  unction,  penance,  purgatory,  transubstan- 
tiation,  infant  baptism,  miracles,  and  many  other  meaning- 
less rites  were  introduced.     High-sounding  titles   were  also 
introduced,  such  as  "His  Holiness,"  "Right  Reverend,"  and 
"Reverend,"  having  no  authority  whatsoever   in   the  Scrip- 
tures.    And  Protestants  and  even  Baptists  seem  to  be  fond 
of  appropriating  these  unscriptural  titles.     We    have  never 
yet  read  anything  about  His  Holiness,  Right  Reverend,  or 
even  Reverend  Doctor  Paul,  or  Peter;  nor  do  we  find  that 
these  fashionable  titles  were  ever  applied  to  any  of  the  min- 
isters of  Christ  in  the  days  of  his  incarnation,  or  during  the 
time  of  any  of  His  Apostles,  and   consequently  they   must 
have  had  their  origin  in   the   corruptions  of  popery.     The 
word  "Reverend,"  we  believe,  occurs  only  once  in  the  Scrip- 
tures, (Psalms  cxi.  9.)     "He  sent   redemption   unto  his  peo- 
ple; he  hath  commanded  his  covenant  forever;  hoi}7  and 
reverend  is  his  name."     This  title  very  well  applies  to  God, 
but  we  think  it  does  not  well  apply  to  poor,  frail,  mortal 
man — one  of  His  creatures.    Away  with  this  relic  of  popery ! 
Having  made  mention  of  fine  cathedrals   as  a  Catholic 
appliance  to  catch  good  congregations,  we  wish  to  add  a  few 
words  in  regard  to  fine  Protestant  or  Baptist  churches.     It 
was  certainly  the  will    of  Christ  that  the  poor  should  have 
the  Gospel  preached  to  them.     Then  if  the  paraphernalia  of 
churches  is  so  fine  and  costly  (as  does  appear  almost  so  some- 
times,) as   to  intimidate  the  poorly  clad,  unfortunate,  and 
doubtless  sometimes  unthrifty  poor  people  of  the   country 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  59 

(who  cannot  boast  of  having  more  than  two  or  three  changes 
of  raiment,  and  that  of  a  cheap  texture,)  from  entering 
church  edifices  where  there  is  generally  to  be  seen  a  great 
display  of  finery  and  other  extraordinary  trappings, — where 
the  idol  god  Fastosus  appears  often  to  them  to  have  supreme 
sway,  we  think  there  should  be  something  done  to  meet 
such  cases  in  village  churches.  The  Gospel  should  be  exhib- 
ited at  other  points  where  the  poor  would  be  likely  to  attend 
and  receive  the  benefits  intended,  both  from  the  sanctuary 
and  Sabbath-school.  Having  always  been  poor,  we  know 
how  to  sympathize  with  and  plead  the  cause  of  the  poor.  In 
looking  over  the  last  paragraph  or  two,  we  are  not  sure  that 
it  would  not  have  been  as  well  to  have  omitted  what  has 
been  said,  but  like  Pilate,  we  say  :  "what  we  have  written  we 
have  written." 

The  session  of  1837  met  at  Buffalo  church,  York  coun- 
ty, S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  by  Elder 
James  M.  Webb,  of  High  Shoals  church.  There  are  in  the 
associational  union  26  churches  and  1652  communicants. 
The  body  organized  by  electing  Elders  Drury  Dobbins  Mod- 
erator, and  James  M.  Webb,  Clerk. 

After  the  usual  routine  of  business  was  gone  through 
with,  the  Circular  Letter  of  the  churches,  prepared  by  Elder 
James  M.  Webb,  on  the  necessity  of  the  agency  of  the  Spirit  of 
God  in  the  work  of  regeneration  on  the  soul,  was  read  and  adopt- 
ed. This  letter  is  published  in  full  with  the  notice  of  Elder 
Webb  in  this  work. 

A  Good  Man. — The  demise  of  Deacon  William  Under- 
wood, of  Cedar  Springs  Church,  is  noticed  in  the  Minutes 
of  this  session. 

"His  long,  untiring  zeal  in  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom 
and  his  faithfulness  in  the  discharge  of  the  office  of  a  deacon,  which 
he  held  for  thirty-four  years  in  Cedar  Spring  Church,  united  to  al- 
most every  virtue  that  adorn  the  character  of  an  upright  heart  and 
faithful  follower  of  Him  whom  he  most  loved  on  earth,  entitle  him 
to  the  remembrance  of  those  of  his  brethren  whom  he  has  left  be- 
hindr~In  him  this  Association  have  to  lament  the  loss  of  a  brother 
in  whose  faithfulness  and  counsel  they  could  much  depend,  and 
whilst  we  sympathize  with  his  relatives  and  friends  we  advise  Ihem 
not  to  sorrow  and  grieve  as  those  who  have  no  hope,  for  that  which 
is  our  loss  is  his  eternal  gain  ;  and  although  his  cold  remains  may 


CO  BROAD  BIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

lie  in  solitude  until  the  morn  of  the  resurrection,  yet  it  is  confidently 
hoped  and  believed  that  his  soul  has  flown  to  rest  in  the  bosom  of 
his  Heavenly  Redeemer  and  Friend,  there  to  enjoy  a  crown  of  life 
incorruptible  and  undefiled  and  that  fadeth  not  away." 

The  session  of  1838  was  held  at  Friendship  church, 
Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
delivered  by  Elder  Drury  Dobbins,  of  Sandy  Run  church. 
In  union  27  churches ;  membership  1650.  Elders  Drury 
Dobbins,  Moderator,  James  M.  Webb,  Clerk. 

PIONEER    MINISTERS    FALLEN.    , 

The  demise  of  Elders  Joel  Blackwell,  of  Greeu  River 
church,  and  John  Padgett,  of  "New  Hope,  is  noticed  in  the 
Minutes  of  this  session.  (See  biographical  notices  in  this 
work). 

The  Circular  Letter  was  prepared  by  Elder  Drury  Dob- 
bins, to  show  who  Melchisedec  was,  and  to  run  the  analogy  be- 
tween his  -priesthood  and  that  of  Jesus  Christ.  (See  biographical 
notice  for  the  letter. 

The  session  of  1839  met  at  Green  River  church,  Ruth- 
erford county,  N.  C.  Elder  Druiw  Scruggs  preached  the 
introductory  sermon.  The  union  consists  of  27  churches; 
baptized  135.     Total  membership  1725. 

Query. — Query  from  Green  River  church,  viz: 
"What  shall  be  done  when  a  married  member  makes  application 
to  the  church  for  aletter  of  dismission,  who  has  left  his  family  and 
wishes  to  remove  to  a  distant  country,  and  who  says  that  his  com- 
panion is  so  disagreeable  that  he  cannot  live  with  her,  and  that  he 
does  not  expect  to  live  with  her  any  more?" 

Answer.  "We  advise  the  church  to  enquire  into  the  circum- 
stances, and  if  the  evidence  should  be  that  the  companion  complain- 
ed of  is  of  such  turbulent  character  as  to  render  it  impossible  for  the 
member  complaining  to  live  with  the  other  in  peace,  and  that  her 
conduct  is  so  disagreeable  as  to  make  the  party  miserable  and  un- 
happy, in  such  case  a  letter  should  be  given,  provided  the  complain- 
ing member  has  not  married,  and  is  of  pious  habits  and  good  char- 
acter; but  if  the  evidence  is  that  the  complaining  party  is  a  wrong 
doer,  and  has  so  acted  as  to  produce  the  cause  of  which  he  complains, 
then  we  think  a  letter  should  be  refused." 

SALEM    ASSOCIATION    AND    THE    CIRCULAR    LETTER. 

After  opening  correspondence  with  Salem  Association 
the  Circular  Letter,  prepared  by  Elder  James  M.  Webb,  on 
the  divine  and  special  call  from.  God  to  men  to  preach  the  Gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  evidences  that  manifest  themselves  in  a 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  61 

person  so  called,  was  adopted.  Like  every  other  production 
of  Elder  James  M.  Webb,  this  document  is  very  interesting: 
and  instructive,  and  fully  meets  objections  to  a  special  call  to 
the  ministry. 

The  session  of  1840  met  at  Concord  church,  Rutherford 
county,  N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  by 
Elder  S.  G.  Hamilton,  of  Green  River.  Zion  Hill  church 
was  admitted,  making  a  union  of  28  churches  and  2165 
members, — 487  being  baptized  during  the  past  year.  Elders 
Drury  Dobbins  and  James  M.  Webb  re-elected  Moderator 
and  Clerk.  Dr.  Felix  W.  Littlejohn,  from  Goucher  Creek, 
made  his  first  appearance  in  the  Association  as  a  delegate. 

PARTICIPANTS    OF    THE    REVIVAL. 

Goucher  Creek,  Buck  Creek,  Green  River,  New  Pros- 
pect, Providence,  Bethesda,  Camp's  Creek,  Macedonia,  Zoar, 
Cedar  Springs,  etc.,  enjoyed  revival  seasons,  and  were  greatly 
refreshed. 

The  Circular  Letter  was  prepared  by  Elder  S.  G.  Ham- 
ilton, on  Brotherly  Lore.  (See  biographical  sketch  of  Elder 
S.  G.  Hamilton.) 

The  session  ot  1841  met  at  Antioch  church,  York  coun- 
ty, S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  by  Elder 
James  M.  Webb,  of  the  High  Shoals  church.  The  union 
had  28  churches,  152  baptized;  total  membership  2197. 
Elders  Drury  Dobbins  and  James  M.  Webb  were  again  re- 
elected Moderator  and  Clerk.  Elder  R.  P.  Logan,  delegate 
from  Antioch,  made  his  first  appearance  in  the  Association. 

GREEN    RIVER    ASSOCIATION. 

The  following  churches  applied  for  letters  of  dismission 
to  form  the  Green  River  Association,  to-wit:  High  Shoals, 
Concord,  Green  River,  Green's  Creek  and  Shiloh. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Elder  James  M.  Webb,  on  the  subject  of  Communion. 

Remarks. — Elder  James  M.  Webb  had  for  several  j-ears 
been  a  member  of  this  Association,  and  had  become  a  bright 
and  shining  light  to  the  body,  and  it  was  with  much  regret 
the  brethren  were  called  on  to  give  him  the  parting  hand. 
After  the  organization  of  the  Green  River  Association  he 
continued  to  be  a  leading  member  thereof  until  the  day  ot 
his  death,  often  presiding  as  Moderator  of  the  body. 


62  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION, 

A    PETITION    FROM    CROSS-ROADS. 

The  petition  presented  by  certain  members  of  Cross- 
Roads  church  was  taken  up  and  considered,  and  request 
granted.  Brethren  Spencer  Morgan,  F.  W.  Littlejohn, 
Drury  Dobbins,  E.  J.  Underwood,  Drury  Scruggs  and  Eli- 
jah Turner  were  appointed  a  committee  to  investigate  the 
whole  matter  in  controversy,  and  report  to  the  next  Associ- 
ation. 

Remarks. — At  the  next  session  the  committee  was  called 
on  for  their  report,  and  upon  examination  said  committee 
was  instructed  to  further  investigate  and  report  to  the  next 
Association.  At  the  next  session  no  report  was  made,  nor 
anything  minuted  about  it.  We  have  taken  notice  of  this 
matter  supposing  it  was  a  very  important  one,  judging  from 
the  complexion  of  the  committee  to  whom  it  was  referred, 
but  as  the  matter  either  died  a  natural  death  or  the  committee 
neglected  to  investigate  and  report  as  instructed,  we  are  un- 
able to  decide,  but  would  like  very  well  to  know  what  was 
all  this  trouble  about. 

The  session  of  1842  met  at  Elbethel  church,  Union 
county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  by 
Elder  Drury  Dobbins,  of  Sandy  Run  church. 

Corinth,  Capernaum,  Bethlehem,  Sulphur  Springs  (new 
churches)  and  Unity  from  the  Bethel  Association  applied  for 
admission  into  our  union  and  were  received,  making  a  union 
of  28  churches  and  a  membership  of  1993  communicants. 

Organization. — The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder 
Drury  Dobbins,  Moderator,  and  Elder  Drury  Scruggs,  Clerk. 
Elder  James  D.  Crowder,  from  Sandy  Run  church,  made  his 
first  appearance  in  the  body,  and  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett,  from 
Cedar  Springs  church,  was  also  a  delegate  at  this  session. 

Correspondence  was  opened  with  the  Green  River  As- 
sociation, recently  organized. 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  Andrew  Fuller's, 
on  Church  Discipline. 

The  sessiou  of  1843  was  held  at  State  Line  church,  Spar- 
tanburg county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  deliv- 
ered by  Elder  Drury  Scruggs,  of  the  State  Line  church. 
The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  Drury  Dobbins,  Mod- 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  63 

erator,  and  Elder  Spencer  Morgan,  Clerk.     The  union  con- 
sists of  28  churches,  and  a  membership  of  2032. 

A    PIONEER    FALLEN. 

The  demise  of  Elder  Zachariah  Blackwell,  of  Mount 
Ararat,  is  noticed  in  the  Minutes  of  this  session.  (See  bio- 
graphical notice.) 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  prepared  by  Elder 
Drury  Scruggs,  on  the  mission  of  John  the  Baptist.  (See  notice 
of  Drury  Scruggs.)  Elder  Wade  Hill,  afterwards  a  promi- 
nent minister  of  this  Association,  made  his  first  appearance 
as  a  delegate  from  Antioch  at  this  session,  as  did  Bro.  Thos. 
Dixon,  then  a  licentiate  from  the  same  church. 

The  session  of  1844  met  at  Providence  church,  Spar- 
tanburg county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preach- 
ed by  Elder  Wade  Hill,  of  Antioch.  Upper  Fair  Forest  and 
Pacolet  were  admitted  into  the  confederacy  of  churches, 
making  28  in  all;  baptized  during  the  year  133.  Total 
membership  2129.  Elders  Drury  Dobbins  and  Spencer  Mor- 
gan were  re-elected  officers  of  the  body. 

Query. — The  following  query  was  sent  up  from  Provi- 
dence church,  viz.- 

"Is  it  consistent  with  the  Scriptures  to  ordain  a  man  to  the  sacred 
office  of  Deacon,  who  carries  on  a  distillery?" 

"After  some  discussion,  it  was  moved  to  lay  the  query  on  the 
table,  which  motion  prevailed." 

Remarks. — We  are  sorry  to  see  a  matter  of  such  impor- 
tance so  summarily  disposed  of.  The  body  should  have 
bearded  the  lion  in  his  den ;  and  as  they  were  holding  the 
session  at  the  very  church  which  sent  the  query,  they  cer- 
tainly did  not  act  respectfully  towards  the  brethren  in  snub- 
bing them  as  they  did.  We  may  not  however  be  fully  aware 
of  all  the  particulars  of  the  case. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Elder  Drury  Dobbins,  On  the  nature  and  proper  observance  of 
the  Lord's  Day.  Elder  John  G.  Kindrick,  of  Pacolet  church, 
made  his  first  appearance  in  the  body  as  a  delegate. 

The  session  ot  1845  met  at  Philadelphia  church,  Spar- 
tanburg county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  deliv- 
ered by  Elder  Micajah  C.  Barnett,  of  Cedar  Springs  church, 
Double  Springs  church  was  admitted  into  the  union,  making 


64  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

29  in  all ;  baptized  since  the  last  session,  151.  Total  mem- 
bership, 2057.  The  body  organized  by  electing  Elders 
Drury  Scruggs,  Moderator,   and  Micajah  C.  Barnett,  Clerk. 

DOMESTIC    MISSION. 

A  petition  carae  up  from  Long  Creek  church,  praying 
the  body  to  devise  ways  and  means  to  establish  a  Domestic 
Mission  within  the  bounds  of  the  Broad  River  Association^ 
On  a  motion  to  adopt,  a  considerable  discussion  was  had,  •pro 
and  con,  aud  by  a  vote  of  the  Association  afterwards  the  pro- 
ject was  rejected. 

Volunteers. — Elders  Drury  Scruggs  and  Micajah  C.Bar- 

nett  then  volunteered  their  services  each  for  twenty-eight 
days,  to  itinerate  within  the  field  as  designated  in  the  peti- 
tion, whereupon  a  tender  of  compensation  was  made  by  sev- 
eral of  the  delegates  present. 

Remarks. — The  subject  of  Temperance  and  Missions 
was  now  beginning  to  be  agitated  in  several  of  the  churches, 
and  the  brethren  were  very  much  divided  in  sentiment  upon 
"both. 

Query. — The  following  query  was  taken  up  tor  consid- 
eration, viz : 

"Is  it  right  to  hold  in  fellowship,  and  admit  to  our  communion, 
members  wii  >  opsnly  profess  themselves  OampbelLites  ?" 

Answer.  "No." 
E.  M.  Chaffin. — The  following  resolution  was  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  we  warn  our  churches  against  a  certain  E.  M. 
Chaffin,  who  sometimes  passes  himself  as  a  Baptist  preacher,  as  he 
is  in  disorder,  and  not  worthy  of  christian  regard. 

Remarks. — E.  M.  Chaffin  made  his  advent  into  the 
bounds  of  the  Broad  River  Association  about  the  year  1830, 
and  located  in  Cleveland  county,  1ST.  C.  Soon  after  that  the 
Zoar  church  was  constituted,  and  he  was  one  of  the  original 
constituents  of  said  church  and  became  its  pastor.  He  was 
a  good  preacher,  and  had  the  reputation  of  being  a  great 
revivalist.  He  attracted  large  congregations  and  was,  with 
some,  a  great  favorite.  Pie  seemed  to  be  instrumental  in 
doing  a  great  deal  of  good  in  building  up  the  cause  of  Zion. 
He  sometimes  made  distant  preaching  tours,  clad  in  very 
common  home-spun  apparel,  and  made  rather  a  shabby  ap- 
pearance for  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  possessing  the  talent 
or  ability  that  he  did.     In   these  preaching   tours  he  some- 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  61 

times  visited  associations  and  other  large  assemblages,  and 
preached  as  few  others  could,  his  sermons  being  character- 
ized by  much  zeal  and  pathos.  He  frequently  complained  of 
the  apathy  and  negligence  of  his  people,  as  to  ministerial 
support,  &c.  His  sermons  very  often  had  a  telling  effect,  and 
it  is  said  he  was  often  the  recipient  of  .handsome  contribu- 
tions of  money  and  clothing.  He  appeared  to  run  pretty 
well  for  a  while.  But  alas!  evil  reports  began  to  follow 
him,  and  charges  of  concupiscence  were  [(referred  against 
him  in  the  church  where  he  was  a  member  and  pastor;  these 
lie  baffled  for  a  time.  At  last,  however,  the  strong  arm  of 
the  law  was  about  to  overtake  him,  when  he  adroitly  man- 
aged to  s;et  a  letter  of  dismission  from  the  church  and  igno- 
miniously  fled  to  other  parts  of  the  country.  It  is  said  he 
became  a  gambler  and  black  leg,  and  died  during  the  war. 

The. Circular  Letter  addressed  to  the  churches  was  pre- 
pared by  Elder  Micajah  C.  Barnett,  on  the  subject  of  Tem- 
perance. The  document  is  rather  of  a  general  character,  in 
which  there  is  but  slight  allusion  to  intemperate  dram- 
drinking. 

James  Crowder. — The  demise  of  Elder  James  D.  Crow- 
der,  of  Sandy  Run  church,  who  died  within  the  past  associ- 
ational  year,  is  noticed  on  the  face  of  the  Minutes  of  this 
.session,  whom  we  esteemed  as  one  of  the  best  of  men,  and 
though  we  have  sustained  a  great  loss,  we  believe  it  to  be  his 
eternal  gain." 

The  session  of  1846  met  at  Macedonia  church,  Spartan- 
burg county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered 
by  Elder  Drury  Scruggs,  of  State  Line.  Gilead  church  was 
admitted,  making  a  union  of  30  churches  and  a  total  mem- 
bership of  2074.     Baptized  since  last  session,  139. 

The  officers  of  the  last  session  were  re-elected. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Elder  Wade  Hill,  on  the  subject  of  Domestic  Missions. 

Remarks. — On  a  motion  to  adopt  the  letter,  there  was 
elicited  a  considerable  debate,  in  which  EldersDobbins,  Webb, 
(of  Green  River,)  Curtis  and  others  took  part.  The  tone  of 
the  letter  was  considered  rather  ultra,  as  a  missionary  docu- 
ment, bv  Elder  Dobbins,  while  the  other  brethren  named 
9 


66  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

favored  its  adoption.  Elder  Dobbins  was  not  opposed  to 
missionary  operations  among  the  churches,  as  churches,  but 
was  opposed  to  any  action  by  the  Association,  as  an  agent 
with  plenary  powers,  to  inaugurate  such  a  scheme  or  system 
of  measures  as  that  indicated  in  Elder  Hill's  circular.  He 
claimed  that  he  was  a  "go-between"  the  two  extremes,  and 
would  favor  any  action  taken  by  the  churches,  as  such,  for 
the  furtherance  of  domestic  missions,  while  he  would  at  all 
times  oppose  any  action  on  the  part  ofthe  Association  to  lord 
it  over  the  churches,  without  first  being  asked  by  them  to  do 
so.  He  was  aware,  too,  that  there  was  strong  opposition  to 
the  principles  ofthe  letter,  as  manifested  by  the  action  taken 
on  the  subject  at  the  last  session,  on  the  petition  sent  up  from 
Long  Creek,  praying  the  establishment  of  a  domestic  mis- 
sion. He  would  therefore  oppose  the  adoption  ofthe  letter, 
unless  certain  objectionable  features  were  stricken  out.,  It 
was  very  obvious  that  Elder  Dobbins  wielded  the  greater 
strength  of  the  body,  and  was  fully  able  to  defeat  the  adop- 
tion of  the  letter  which,  however,  out  of  respect  for  Elder 
Hill's  feelings  he  did  not  wish  to  do.  At  the  instance  of 
Elder  Webb,  the  objectionable  features  of  the  letter  were 
stricken  out  by  erasure  with  the  pen,  and  the  debate  ceased 
by  the  adoption  of  the  letter  with  corrections.  Elder  Dob- 
bins was  fully  persuaded  in  his  belief  that  Elder  Webb  was 
the  writer  of  the  letter,  he  said  to  a  brother,  "that  might  be 
seen  through  a  leather  apron;"  and  although  he  did  not 
claim  the  paternity,  yet  he  fought  valiantly  for  the  bantling, 
be  it  whose  it  might.  The  letter  is  given  in  the  notice  of 
Elder  Wade  Hill!" 

ELDER  M.  C.  BARRETT'S  ACCOUNT  OF  IT. 

While  on  this  subject  we  cannot  well  refrain  from  giving 
the  episode,  as  given  by  Elder  Micajah  C.  Barnctt,  in  his 
history  of  the  Association.     He  says: 

"The  Circular  Letter,  pre] tared  by  Bro.  Hill,  on  the  subject  of 
Domestic-  Missions,  drew  out  a  great  deal  of  debate— not  beeause  of 
the  manner  in  which  it  was  written,  for  it  was  an  able  and  well 
written  production— but  thoroughly  missionary  in  spirit.  After  a 
great  deal  of  debate  on  Saturday,  the  day  it  was  called  up,  the  vole 
Mas  taken  and  the  circular  rejected.  On  Monday  there  was  a  mo- 
tion made  by  Bro.    Covington,   who  had  voted  in  the  majority  on 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  67 

Saturday  to  reconsider,   and  after  much  debate  and  some  modifica- 
tions of  the  production,  it  was  adopted. 

l-At  this  meeting  old  Dr.  Curtis  (I  use  the  word  old  to  distin- 
guish him  from  his  son,  who  also  has  the  title  of  Doctor)  and  Elder 
William  Curtis  were  corresponding  messengers  from  the  Charleston 
Association.  It  was  the  first  time  we  had  met  with  them  in  our 
body.  Di*.  Curtis  took  a  very  active  part  in  the  debate  in  behalf  of 
the  circular.  To  me  at  that  time  be  was  very  lingular  in  his  man- 
ners in  debate.  He  signified  that  he  imagined  himself  almost  an  in- 
truder, especially  as  he  had  to  take  a  position  which  was  opposed  to 
Elder  Dobbins,  whom  he  seemed  to  regard  with  a  profound  venera- 
tion. He  perhaps  had  never  met  with  Dobbins  be. ore,  but  he  was 
acquainted  with  him  from  character,  and  to  oppose  Dobbins  in  de- 
bate, seemed  to  him  almost  like  opposing  an  oracle.  In  all  his 
remarks,  therefore,  he  kept  his  eye  steadily  on  Dobbins.  He  seemed 
not  to  have  known  that  Scruggs  was  Moderator.  He  stood  up  close 
to  the  table,  facing  Dobbins,  and  while  making  his  speech  he  wou'd 
frecmently  bow  down  with  his  face  nearly  to  the  table,  and  then  at 
the  end  of  his  sentence  he  would  suddenly  throw  himself  I  ack  over 
a  perpendicular,  and  for  a  moment  look  steadily  at  hisBro.  Dobbins, 
as  if  he  would  ask  him  to  forgive  him  for  what  he  had  said  amiss, 
and  then  down  and  up  in  like  manner. 

"There  was  a  good  deal  of  impetuosity  about  Dr.  Curtis  in  debate, 
still  no  man  ever  observed  the  decorum  of  debate  more  strictly  than 
he  did.  None  ever  paid  more  deference  to  the  age  and  standing  of  a 
competitor.  With  all  his  singularity  of  manner,  however,  he  soon 
ingratiated  himself  into  the  favor  of  the  Association.  So  if  you  were 
present  at  any  meeting  and  see  Dr.  Curtis  ride  up,  you  would  see 
directly  the  people  begin  to  gather  round  him  to  hear  his  rich  sug- 
gestions r.nd  amusing  snecdotes,  that  w<  uld  tt  11  of  things  that  prin- 
cipally took  place  in  England.  Toward  young  ministers  he  was 
really  a  father  in  Israel.  I  have  thought  he  knew  more  of  the  value 
of  learning,  and  the  uses  to  be  made  of  it,  than  any  man  I  ever  saw." 

STANDING    DELEGATES. 

The  question  of  representation  in  the  Association  was 
agaiu  agitated  by  Buck  Creek,  Buffalo,  Providence  and  Mac- 
edonia ;  that  each  church  be  entitled  to  two  delegates,  and 
one  for  every  fifty  of  increase,  exclusive  of  ordained  ministers. 

An  Old  Minister. — The  demise  of  Elder  Joshua  Rich- 
ards, a  very  old  preacher,  is  noticed  in  the  Minutes  of  this 
session.     (See  biograpb.37.) 

The  session  of  1847  was  held  at  Zoar  church,  Cleveland 
county,  1ST.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  by 
Elder  Thomas  Dixon,  of  Antioch.  Shelby  and  Ephesus 
churches  were  admitted  into  the  union,  making  33  in  all, 
with  a  membership  of  3002. 


63  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

The  body  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  Drury 
Scrugg,  Moderator,  and  Bro.  John  R.  Logan,  Clerk. 

Queries. — The  following  queries  were  taken  up  for  con- 
sideration : 

1.  "What  is  the  proper  course  to  be  pursued  by  a  church  in  rela- 
tion to  members  who  remain  two  or  three  years  at  a  remote  distance, 
and  do  not  apply  for  letters  of  dismission?" 

Answer.  "The  church  holding  the  membership  of  such  should 
use  a  discretionary  power  as  to  their  retention  or  exclusion." 

2.  "Are  ministers  of  the  Gospel  authorized  to  receive  and  baptize 
members  when  sent  to  labor  in  distant  parts  of  the  world,  where  no 
church  members  are  present?" 

Answer.  "Ministers  of  the  Gospel  may  receive  and  baptize  mem- 
bers in  pursuance  of  our  Lord's  commission  to  His  Apostles  (Mark 
vi.  15, 16,)  when  sent  to  labor  among  the  heathen  ;  but  it  is  inexpedi- 
ent now,  as  a  general  rule  in  a  land  of  churches  and  church  mem- 
bers, to  practice  such  a  course  except  in  very  extreme  cases." 

3.  "Is  it  right  to  hold  in  fellowship  those  who  patronize  dancing 
schools,  or  go  themselves,  or  accompany  their  families,  or  those  un- 
der their  care  or  charge  ?"     Answer.  "No." 

Catawba  Valley. — In    pursuance   of  a   petition  from 

Hebron  church,  in  the    Catawba  valle}',  Elders  Wade  Hill 

and  W.  B.  Padgett  were   appointed  to  labor  monthly  with 

said  church  and  make  report  to  the  next  associational  meet- 


ing. 


Fast  Day. — This  session  of  the  bodv  was  held  durinsr 
the  pendency  of  the  war  between  the  United  States  and  the 
Republic  of  Mexico,  and  the  first  day  of  January  was  set 
apart  as  a  day  of  fasting,  humiliation  and  prayer  for  the  bles- 
sings of  peace,  and  that  the  dire  calamities  of  war  might  be 
averted. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Elder  Micajah  C.  Barnett,  of  Cedar  Springs  church,  on  the 

Unpardonable  Sin. 

Memorial  Sermon. — The  Association  while  in  session 
appointed  Elder  James  M.  Webb  to  preach  on  the  Sabbath 
an  associational  funeral  sermon  in  memory  of  Elder  Drury 
Dobbins,  who  died  during  the  past  associational  year  which 
appointment  he  accepted  and  filled  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
concourse  of  people  gathered  at  the  stand.  As  being  very 
appropriate  we  quote  the  remarks  of  Elder  Micajah  C.  Bar- 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  69 

nett,  in  his  history  of  the  Association  bearing  on  this  matter. 
He  says : 

"And  now  I  suppose  Bro.  Webb  never  had  abetter  scope  for  his 
imagination  to  play  in,  and  never  had  his  feelings  wrought  up  to 
such  an  intense  anxiety  as  ou  this  occasion." 

Elder  Webb  as  a  preacher  was  certainly  the  Apollos  of 
our  day,  at  least  in  this  country.  The  structure  of  his  mind 
was  different  from  that  of  Elder  Dobbins,  for  while  Dobbins 
never  advanced  an  idea  without  first  examining  all  the  evi- 
dence by  which  it  was  sustained,  as  well  as  the  objections 
that  might  be  raised  against  it,  Webb  seemed  not  to  have 
time  to  wait  for  such  a  thorough  examination  of  the  evi- 
dences that  bore  upon  the  subject.  His  imagination  was 
lively,  and  as  soon  as  he  had  caught  an  idea  he  was  immedi- 
ately in  search  for  another.  Hence,  as  a  debater,  he  was 
more  than  a  match  for  Dobbins.  The  vivacity  of  his  mind 
and  the  rapidity  of  his  utterance,  perplexed  and  sometimes 
silenced  his  more  venerable  competitor.  Yet  no  two  men 
ever  regarded  each  other  with  more  excessive  fondness  than 
they  did.  Ou  that  Sabbath  day  thousands  of  people  assem- 
bled around  the  stand  in  the  grove,  impatiently  awaiting  the 
hour  of  service.  After  singing  and  that  prayer  which  seem- 
ed  to  take  hold  on  the  horns  of  the  altar,  he  read  his  text: 
"My  father,  my  father,  the  chariot  of  Israel  and  the  horse- 
men thereof!  and  he  saw  him  no  more." — 2  Kings  ii.  12. 
Think  of  such  a  man  as  Webb,  with  such  a  text  as  this,  to 
preach  the  funeral  of  Drury  Dobbins  before  the  Broad  River 
Association,  of  which  he  had  been  a  member  for  fortv-seven 
years — the  guide  of  its  counsels ! 

He  commenced  his  sermon  by  presenting  a  singular 
combination  of  the  historical  and  textual  parts  of  his  dis- 
course. He  then  proceeded  to  illustrate  his  subject  and  en- 
force its  claims  in  view  of  the  occasion  on  which  he  spoke. 
The  congregation  was  soon  melted  by  his  pathos  and  the 
clearness  of  his  thoughts,  and  were  prepared  to  weep  tears 
like  "dew  drops"  when  the  preacher  turned  half  round  from 
the  book-board,  threw  himself  a  little  back,  raising  his  hands 
and  his  eyes,  and  in  one  of  those  exclamations  for  which  he 
was  inimitable,  said  :  "Oh,  Dobbins  !  dost  thy  sainted  spirit 
this  day  witness  our  feeble  efforts  to  honor  thy  sacred  mem- 


7<jf  BKOAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

ory  ?  Art  thou  with  the  man  that  returned  and  smote  the 
waters  of  Jordan  with  the  mantle,  saying :  'Where  is  the 
Lord  God  of  Elijah V "  .Every  spirit  felt  subdued  before 
him,  and  for  thirty  minutes  more  he  lifted  them  up  or  let 
them  down,  at  his  will,  no  man  resisting  him. 

Bro.  Webb  was  at  home  on  all  such  occasions  as  this,, 
and  really  the  character  of  his  mind  and  of  his  feelings,  the 
liveliness  of  bis  imagination,  the  symphony  of  his  tones,  com- 
bined  with  an  easy  deportment  in  the  pulpit,  rendered  him 
irresistible. 

As  an  evidence  of  the  power  of  his  pulpit  oratory,  the 
following  incident  is  cited  ;  Two  men  of  bad  morals  were 
one  day  talking  rather  slightly  of  the  excitement  in  a  large 
congregation  the  day  before,  produced  by  one  of  Webb'fr 
sermons.  One  said  to  the  other,  reproachfully,  "I  think  I 
saw  you  crying."  "Yes,"  was  the  reply,  "but  that  man 
Webb  can  make  the  devil  cry  !" 

I  have  seen  him  sometimes,  on  large  occasions,  come 
down  out  of  the  stand  to  invite  mourners  to  the  anxious  seat, 
and,  by  a  flow  of  his  eloquence  for  ten  minutes,  he  would 
put  the  whole  congregation  literally  in  motion, — christian.-'- 
shouting,  mourners  praying,  and  all  over  the  congregation, 
here  and  there,  the  voice  would  be  heard,  "Lord,  save,  or  I 
perish !" 

In  person.  Bro.  Webb  was  six  feet  high,  slender,  and 
rather  slovenly  in  his  appearance.  His  nose  was  rather  of 
the  Grecian  style,  bis  hair,  eye-brows  and  eye-lashes  jet' 
black,  the  latter  being  remarkablv  lonar.  His  eves  were 
dark,  and  possessed  a  penetrating  brilliancy  that  is  rarely 
seen. 

ASSOCTATICTNAL    NOTICE. 

Elders  James  M.  Webb,  Brury  Scruggs,  Micajah  C. 
Barnett,  Wade  Hill  and  Ransom  P.  Logan  were  appointed 
a  committee  to  prepare  a  suitable  obituary  notice  and  tribute 
of  respect  to  the  life  and  character  of  Elder  Brury  Dobbins, 
deceased,  late  of  Sandy  Run  church,  Rutherford  county, 
X.  C.j  who  reported  on  Monday  as  follows  : 

Resolved,  That  with  feelings  of  deep  anguish  weehroniele  the  de- 
parted worth  of  our  beloved  and  much  esteemed,  venerable  brother, 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION,  71 

Elder  Drury  Dobbins,  wbose  successful  labors  in  tbe  ministry  for  more 
than  forty  years,  sanctioned  by  a  life  of  the  most  exemplary  piety, 
lias  imprinted  in  our  affections  that  memory  which  we  fondly  cher- 
ish, while  his  loss  to  us  touches  everything  of  painful  sensibility. 
But  let  us  not  sorrow  as  others  that  have  no  hope,  for  if  we  believe 
that  Jesus  died  and  rose  again,  even  so  them  which  sleep  in  Jesus 
will  God  bring  with  Him.  He  departed  this  life  May  19th,  1847, 
•aged  72  years. 

Remarks. — Elder  Dobbins  was  in  the  session  of  1846  at 
Macedonia,  the  last  he  ever  attended,  and  was  tendered  the 
chair  of  the  Moderator  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  body* 
He  however  declined  acceptance.  At  the  session  of  1845 
at  Philadelphia  he  had  failed  to  put  in  an  appearance  (that 
•church  was  remotely  situated  from  his  home,)  and  he  was 
becoming  old  and  infirm,  too  much  so.  to  ride  in  the  saddle — 
which  was  his  usual  habit — so  great  a  distance,  and  he  some 
time  previous  to  the  meeting  of  1844  at  Providence,  said  to 
us  :  "If  your  church  (Zoar)  will  send  a  petition  for  the  next 
session  of  the  body,  I  will  speak  for  it,  and  we  shall  proba- 
bly have  the  next  session  nearer  to  us."  The  petition  was 
sent  as  requested,  and  he  did  try  to  prevail  on  the  body  for 
once  to  ignore  their  union  meeting  rule,  and  grant  the  peti- 
tion of  the  Zoar  church.  But  Elder  James  M.  Webb  and 
some  others  agreed  "it  would  be  establishing  a  precedent 
that  would  not  work  well,  and  therefore  the  Association 
should  rigidly  adhere  to  the  rule  that  had  so  long  governed 
the  body."  But  in  much  candor,  considering  all  the  circum- 
stances of  the  case,  the  age,  past  services  of  the  veteran  min- 
ister, remote  distance  from  his  home,  together  with  the  fact 
that  associational  bodies  have  a  clear  right  to  regulate  their 
own  sittings,  we  think  they  should  not  have  snubbed  him  as 
they  did.  We  are  not  surprised  that  he  was  somewhat 
offended,  and  did  not  ride  all  the  way  to  Philadelphia  the 
next  session.  Doubtless  many  of  the  brethren  were  as  bad 
hurt  as  he  was  when  he  failed  to  attend  the  next  session.  It 
was  the  only  session  he  had  ever  failed  to  attend  since  his 
connection  with  the  Association. 


ELDER    BARNETT'S    STATEMENT. 


As  Elder  Barnett,  the  historian,  has  noticed  this,  matter, 
we  will  give  his  statement  in  our  work.     lie  says  : 

"At  this  meeting  rather  an  unhappy  debate  sprang  up  between 


72  BKOAD  EIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION, 

old  Bro.  Dobbins  and  J.  M.  Webb  and  otbers,  which  resulted  not 
very  pleasantly.  The  state  of  the  case  was  simply  this:  The  union 
meeting,  which  had  been  entrusted  with  that  business,  decided 
that  the  next  Association  should  be  held  with  Philadelphia  church. 
Zoar  church  had  sent  a  very  earnest  petition  that  the  Association 
should  convene  with  them.  Bro.  Dobbins  was  strongly  in  favor  of 
Zoar's  petition,  while  the  other  side  was  in  favor  of  the  decision  of 
the  union  meeting,  principally  because  it  was  in  accordance  with 
rule.  The  old  preacher  pleaded  hard  for  his  "little  sister  Zoar,"  and 
proved  himself  to  be  a  good  advocate,  possessing  something  of  the 
spirit  of  Moses,  when  he  interceded  for  Israel ;  that  is,  that  he  had 
rather  die  than  not  succeed.  He  was  rapid,  loud  and  pathetic,  while 
the  other  side  was  equally  in  earnest  and  all  against  him  Webb, 
who  took  the  lead,  and  was  very  impetuous,  and  perhaps  with  a  lit- 
tle too  much  disregard  for  the  feelings  of  his  elder  brother,  wounded 
the  sensibilities  of  Dobbins  badly.  The  vote  was  taken  and  decided 
almost  unanimously  against  Dobbins.  This  hurt  him  so  much  that 
he  could  not  get  over  it  enough  to  meet  with  the  Association  the 
next  year,  although  every  pains  was  taken  to  soothe  him.  Immedi- 
ately after  taking  the  vote  he  said,  with  emphasis  :  You  have  got  the 
Association,  but  you  will  not  get  me  /"  He  afterward  said  had  it  not 
been  for  that  expression  which  hp  uttered  hastily,  he  would  have 
met  with  the  body  the  next  year.  However,  after  one  meeting  of 
the  body  intervened  he  came  to  the  next,  and  all  was  right.  The 
Association  cast  a  unanimous  vote  for  him  for  Moderator,  showing 
him  that  he  was  still  the  beloved  Dobbins;  and  Webb,  having 
already  made  reconciliation  with  him,  the  thing  was  forgotten.  I 
am  not  prepared  to  say  that  this  dissension  served  to  the  same  pur- 
pose as  that  between  Paul  and  Barnabas  ;  that  is,  to  the  furtherance 
of  the  Gospel.  Dobbins  seems  to  have  taken  the  wrong  side  of  the 
question,  but  he  depended  upon  the  potency  of  his  influence  in  the 
Association  to  carry  his  points.  His  principal  hurt  with  Webb  was 
that  he  had  wielded  his  influence  against  him  (he  belonging  to  an- 
other body.)  and  told  Webb  while  he  was  in  a  pet  that  he  (Webb) 
was  the  bell  sheep  of  the  whole  hang.  Webb  laughed  and  said,  ''1 
was  only  contending  for  rule,  Bro.  Dobbins,  and  not  against  you  as 
an  individual." 

Elder  Dobbins  was  obviously  jealous  of  the  rising  pop- 
ularity of  Elder  Webb.  He  (Dobbins)  had  for  a  long  series 
of  years  wielded  a  very  potent  influence  in  the  Broad  River 
Association, — had  generally  carried  points  his  own  way. 
That  way,  however,  was  generally  acquiesced  in  because  he 
scarcely  ever  failed  in  being  right.  If  supposed  even  by  any 
one  to  be  wrong,  they  could  not  muster  up  the  courage  to 
oppose  him. 

When  Elder  Webb  become  connected  with  the  Associ- 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  73 

ation  he  was  fresh  from  the  legislative  halls  of  his  State, 
where  he  had  doubtless  acquired  uot  only  an  aptitude  but  a 
fondness  for  debate.  It  was  very  natural,  therefore,  that  he 
being  in  a  deliberative  body  of  a  different  character  would 
embrace  every  opportunity  he  could  catch,  to  distinguish 
himself,  by  making  a  display  of  the  talent  he  possessed,  and 
in  doing  this  had  on  more  than  one  or  two  occasions  opposed 
the  views  of  Elder  Dobbins  ;  hence  his  jealousy. 

In  this  connection  we  will  mention  a  little  incident 
where  these  two  brethren  were  parties.  After  Elder  Webb 
had  been  ordained  a  minister  he  was  engaged  by  a  young 
man  to  solemnize  the  rites  of  matrimony  between  him  and 
his  affianced.  Elder  Dobbins  was  also  invited  bv  the  father 
of  the  bride  to  be  present  on  the  occasion  of  the  marriage,  to 
eat  dinner;  and  as  had  been  the  officiating  priest  on  several 
marriage  occasions  previously  in  that  family,  and  as  the  father 
was  one  of  his  deacons  he  entertained  no  other  thought  but 
that  he  was  to  solemnize  the  rites  as  he  had  formerly  done. 
On  the  day  of  the  marriage  he  was  a  little  behind  time,  but 
the  dinner  was  kept  back  until  he  would  arrive.  At  last 
that  notable  riding  mare  of  his  was  seen  approaching  in  the 
distance.  The  marriage,  however,  had  been  now  celebrated 
by  Elder  Webb,  and  on  the  arrival  of  Elder  Dobbins  he  was 
first  waited  on  courteously  by  that  brother,  and  regrets  made 
known  that  he  could  not  make  it  convenient  to  arrive  a  little 
s.  toner,  as  he  was  just  in  time  to  be  a  little  too  late — the  marriage 
was  over.  So  o;reat  was  the  mortification  of  Elder  Dobbins 
on  being  so  informed,  that  he  mounted  that  mare  at  once 
and  took  the  most  direct  route  for  his  home,  without  waiting 
for  his  dinner,  or  for  an  explanation  that  we  presume  wTould 
have  been  every  way  satisfactory.  He  took  it  for  granted 
that  he  had  been  supplanted  and  made  a  dupe  of  by  Elder 
Webb,  and  he  could  not  brook  so  great  an  insult,  and  there- 
fore left  immediately.  Finding  out  afterwards  how  it  was, 
he  was  compelled  to  acknowledge  that  he  acted  in  hot  haste, 
and  completely  stultified  himself. 

Elder  Drury  Dobbins  was  a  great  favorite  of  the  people, 
— married  more  couples,  preached  more  funeral  sermons,  had 
more  name-sakes,  and  preached  the   Gospel  for  less  money 
10 


74  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

(it  is  said  he  preached  for  Sandy  Run  church  forty  years  or 
more  for  about  as  many  dollars,)  and  was  less  complained  of 
than  anv  other  living  man  of  his  time.  But  notwithstanding 
all  this  he  had  his  foibles  to  combat,  just  as  other  mortals 
have  in  this  world  of  imperfection,  and  no  one  was  more 
ready  to  acknowledge  it  than  he  was.  But  take  him  "all  in 
all"  there  were  few  men  equal  to  Drury  Dobbins. 

The  session  of  1848  convened  at  Buffalo  church,  York 
county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  by 
Elder  John  G.  Kindrick,  of  Pacolet  church.  Boiling  Springs, 
Mount  Sinai  and  Bethel  churches  were  admitted  into  the 
union — making  36  in  all,  with  a  membership  of  1630.  There 
were  during  the  year  291  baptisms. 

A  Revival. — The  churches  at  Boiling  Springs,  New 
Bethel,  Double  Springs,  Zion,  Zoar,  Providence,  Sandy  Run, 
Buffalo  and  Bethlehem  appeared  to  be  the  recipients  of  the 
revival  outpouring. 

The  body  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  Drury 
Scruggs,  Moderator,  and  Bro.  John  R.  Logan,  Clerk. 

Queries. — The  following  queries  from  Philadelphia  and 
Cedar  Springs  churches  were  taken  up  for  consideration  : 

1.  ''Is  it  right  and  compatible  with  Baptist  principles  for  a  church 
to  have  an  independent  standing  delegation  ?" 

Answer  by  the  body.    "No. ' ' 

2.  "Is  it  consistent  with  the  Scriptures,  and  the  Constitution  of 
the  Broad  River  Association  for  ministers  to  be  standing  delegates?" 

Answer.  "No." 

THE    REPRESENTATION  QUESTION. 

A  petition  from  Friendship  church,  asking  for  the  recon- 
sideration of  the  13th  Article  of  the  Minutes  of  1846,  upon 
the  subject  of  representation,  was  taken  up,  and  after  some 
discussion  by  members  of  the  body,  a  motion  was  made  to 
strike  out  the  words  "exclusive  of  their  ordained  ministers," 
and  adopt  the  following  resolution  : 

licsolved,  That  each  church  of  which  this  body  is  composed, 
having  a  membership  not  exceeding  fifty  in  number,  shall  be  enti- 
tled to  two  delegates  ;  and  for  every  excess  of  fifty  members  above 
that  number,  one  more  additional  delegate  shall  be  allowed,  which 
was  carried. 

Remarks. — It  will  here  be  seen  that  our  brethren  were 
greatly  exercised  about  a  matter  which  seems  to  us  rather  of 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  75 

a  trivial  nature,  which,  however,  had  been  agitated  by  some 
for  several  of  the  previous  sessions.  They  seem  to  have  en- 
tertained fears  of  the  destruction  of  our  democratic  system 
of  representation,  or  the  rising  power  and  influence  of  the 
ministry,  when  made  independent  of  the  voice  or  suffrages 
of  the  laity. 

The  matter  of  church  representation  as  it  originally 
seems  to  have  existed  (admitting  the  ministers  as  independ- 
ent or  standing  delegates,)  caused  some  jealous}'  in  the  minds 
of  some  brethren  from  the  time  Ephesus  or  Limestone 
Springs  church  was  admitted  into  the  Association.  The 
membership  of  Ephesus  was  only  eight  persons,  and  either 
two  or  three  of  those  were  ministers.  Now  the  point  of 
complaint  was  that  the  large  church  of  Buffalo  (for  illustra- 
tion) having  a  membership  of  300,  would  have  less  repre- 
sentative weight  than  Ephesus,  which  had  only  eight,  by 
reason  of  the  number  of  ministerial  delegates  in  the  latter, 
while  Buffalo  had  no  ministerial  delegate  at  all.  If  the  As- 
sociation was  a  legislative  bodj7  with  power  to  enact  oppress- 
ive laws,  to  the  detriment  of  some  of  the  churches — while 
others  might  by  partiality  be  favored — then  there  would  lie 
some  plausible  ground  for  complaint;  but  as  the  Association 
is  only  an  advisary  council,  and  not  a  legislative  body  at  all, 
it  makes  no  difference  as  to  what  number  of  delegates  they 
send,  so  that  they  prove  to  be  wise  and  sensible  ones. 

A  Disorderly  Minister. — A.  resolution  cautioning-  the 
churches  to  beware  of  one  J.  Q.  Barber,  who  has  been  offi- 
ciating as  a  Baptist  preacher  in  disorder,  within  the  bounds 
of  this  Association,  was  adopted,  and  ordered  to  be  spread 
on  the  Minutes  of  the  session. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Elder  Drury  Scruggs,  of  State  Line  church,  being  a  synop- 
sis of  the  life  and  character  of  Elder  Drury  Dobbins,  deceased. 

The  session  of  1849  was  held  at  Cedar  Springs  church, 
Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
delivered  by  Elder  Drury  Scruggs.  Salem  and  Mount  Pleas- 
ant churches  were  admitted — making  a  union  of  38  in  all, 
and  a  membership  of  2835. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  Drury  Scruggs, 
Moderator,  and  Bro.  John  R.  Logan,  Clerk. 


76  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

DISSOLVING    A    CHURCH. 

A  petition  from  an  aggrieved  minority  from  Bethel 
church,  asking  the  Association  to  dissolve  her,  engaged  the 
attention  of  the  body,  bringing  out  considerable  discussion 
as  to  the  jurisdiction  and  powers  of  an  Association  in  such 
cases,  which  petition  was  finally  rejected  as  irrelevant. 

missionary's  report. 
Elder  Wade  Hill  made  a  verbal  report  of  his  mission  to 
Hebron  church  of  rather  a  discouraging  nature,  and  a  motion 
was  made  to  discontinue  the  service,  which  was  carried. 

SABBATH    SCHOOLS. 

A  resolution  recommending  Sabbath  Schools  to  the 
consideration  and  patronage  of  the  several  churches,  was 
adopted. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  written  by  Elder 
Thomas  Curtis,  on  Baptism,  as  to  mode,  subject  and  maimer, 
and  more  especially  in  reference  to  those  Paul  found  at  Ephesus. 
(See  biography  of  Dr.  (purtis.) 

The  session  of  1850  met  at  Buck  Creek  church,  Spar- 
tanburg county,  S.  C.  The  sermon  was  delivered  by  Elder 
John  S.  Ezell,  of  Buck  Creek.  Broad  River  church  was  ad- 
mitted— making  39  churches  in  union  ;  baptized  since  last 
session,  226.     Aggregate  membership,  2945. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  Thomas  Curtis, 
Moderator,  and  Micajah  C.  Barnett,  Clerk. 

F^st  Day. — The  following  was  adopted  : 
Whereas,  The  Governors  of  North  and  South  .Carolina  have 
requested  the  citizens  of  these  States,   respectively,  to  observe  days 
of  humiliation  and  prayer,  in  view  of  the  threatening  aspect  of  our 
public  affairs.    Therefore 

JResolved,  That  the  delegates  here  present  will  use  their  influ- 
ence and  endeavors  to  secure  compliance  with  the  request  thus  made 
among  the  churches  composing  this  Association. 

Resolved,  That  the  delegates  of  this  Association  recommend 
their  churches  to  consider  the  state  of  the  destitute  regions  of  the 
country  around  us,  and  send  their  free  will  offerings  to  the  next  As- 
sociation to  support  such  domestic  mission&-as  may  meet  that  desti- 
tution. 

Resolved,  That  this  body  consider  it  expedient  at  the  present 
time  to  send  some  preacher  to  assist  Bro.  Hill  in  those  destitute  sec- 
tions of  our  country  where  he  labors. 

Elder  Micajah   C.   Barnett  being  nominated,    accepted 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.    *  77 

the  appointment,  and dollars  were  immediately  collect- 
ed for  this  object. 

Elders  Thomas  Dixon  and  Joseph  Suttle,  as  ordained 
ministers,  appeared  at  this  session ;  and  Brethren  R.  E.  and 
<j.  W.  Rollins,  as  licentiates,  also  made  their  first  appearance 
in  the  Association. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Elder  Thomas  Curtis,  on  Christian  Communion.  The  letter 
on  Baptism,  and  this  on  Christian  Communion,  united  to' 
gether,  make  a  neat  little  book,  which  should  be  preserved 
and  kept  for  future  references. 

The  session  ot  1851  was  held  at  Sand}'  Run  church, 
Cleveland  county,  ~N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  de- 
livered by  Elder  Thomas  Dixon,  of  Zion  church.  Beaver 
Dam  and  Pleasant  Hill  churches  were  admitted  into  the 
union — making  41  churches,  with  a  membership  of  3812. 

A  Revival. — Several  of  the  churches  during  the  past 
year  were  greatly  blessed  with  revivals,  and  there  were  798 
additions  by  baptism. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  Drury  Scruggs, 
Moderator,  and  Bro.  John  R.  Logan,  Clerk. 

Query. — The  following  query  was  taken  up  from  Corinth 
church : 

"Has  a  regular  organized  Baptist  church  the  right  to  open  her 
doors  for  Ihe  reception  of  members  at  any  time  while  her  pastor  or 
.supply  is  absent?" 

Answer.  "A  church  has  the  right  to  do  so,  but  it  is  a  very  desi- 
rable thing  to  have  the  pastor  or  supply  present  on  such  occasions.' 
A  PETITION  FOR  LETTERS  OF  DISMISSION. 

Several  of  the  churches  of  the  Broad  River  Association 
situate  on  the  north  si'de  of/the  State  line,  dividing  North 
and  South  Carolina,  through  the  influence  and  advice  of 
Elder  Drury  Dobbins,  had  been  for  several  years  agitating 
the  question  of  dividing  the  Association  by  the  formation  of 
a  new  body;  and  at  this  session,  Buffalo,  Sandy  Run,  Zoar, 
Double  Springs,  Bethel,  Boiling  Springs,  Mount  Sinai,  New 
Bethel,  Mount  Pleasant,  Broad  River,  Beaver  Dam  and 
Pleasant  Hill  applied  for  letters  of  dismission,,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  carrying  out  this  object.  (Wolf's  Creek  was  also 
dismissed  to  join  another  body.) 


78  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION", 

Remarks. — The  letters  of  dismission  were  granted,  as  a 
matter  of  course,  still  there  was  a  lurking  unwillingness  man- 
ifested by  some  of  the  most  prominent  brethren  of  the  old 
body  to  encourage  the  formation  of  a  new  Association, 
These  brethren  urged  the  propriety  of  holding  together,  so 
as  to  build  up  what  they  called  a  strong  body.  And  so  cha- 
grined were  they  at  the  turn  things  were  taking  that,  by  a 
vote  of  the  house,  they  decided  that  the  dismissed  churches 
had  no  longer,  through  their  delegates,  any  right  to  partici- 
pate in  the  deliberations  of  the  body  during  the  present 
session,  only  in  the  character  of  invited  messengers,  and 
proceeded  to  elect  Elder  Micajah  C.  Barnett  to  act  as  Clerkr 
rice  John  R.  Logan,  of  the  Zoar  church,  dismissed.  This 
strange  proceeding  was  not  characterized  by  a  spirit  of  court- 
esy, nor  did  it  have  the  sanction   of  any  former  precedent. 

When  several  of  the  Broad  River  churches  were  dis- 
missed in  1833  to  aid  in  the  formation  of  the  Tvarer  River 
body,  Elder  John  W.  Lewis,  of  Mount  Zion  church,  was 
Clerk  of  the  Association,  and  continued  to  act  in  that  capac- 
ity until  the  adjournment.  And  the  Mount  Zion  church, 
although  dismissed  de  facto,  had  the  privilege  of  sitting  and 
voting  until  the  close  of  the  session,  when  her  papers  were 
delivered  to  her.  The  same  course  was  taken  in  regard  to 
the  formation  of  the  Green  River  body  in  1841.  Elder  Jas. 
M.  Webb,  of  High  Shoals  church,  was  Clerk  of  the  Assoei- 
ation,  but  continued  to  act  (as  did  Dr.  Lewis)  until  the  ad- 
journment. And  the  High  Shoals  church,  just  as  the  Mount 
Zion  church  did,  continued  to  take  pari  in  the  deliberations 
of  the  body  until  the  close  of  the  session.  But  notwith- 
standing-the  old  mother  body  was  even  then  sitting  within 
the  bounds  of  the  contemplated  new  body,  occupying  one  of 
their  meeting  houses  and  enjoying  their  hospitality,  yet  she 
disfranchised  them  in  the  face  of  the  precedents  above  cited. 
We  are  willing,  however,  to  concede  that  it  was  only  an 
error  of  the  head  and  not  of  the  heart, — an  error  however 
that  not  one  individual  of  the  Broad  River  Association  would 
now  attempt  to  justify  or  palliate,  so  great  was  the  blunder. 

Remodeled. — The  body  now  being  in  working  order, 
under  the  new  regime,  proceeded  to  take  up  a  collection  for 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  79 

foreign  missions,  and  Bro.  A.  K.  Durham  was  appointed  a 
messenger  to  bear  the  same  to  the  Baptist  State  Convention 
of  South  Carolina. 

IGNORING  THE   WANDERING  PILGRIM. 

The  following  was  then  adopted  : 

"Inasmuch  as  there  is  a  stranger  among  us  who  vails  himself 
J.  Alonzo  Webb,  and  a  Baptist  minister,  and  inasmuch  as  we  are 
•accused  by  other  denominations  of  holding  a  man  among  us  who  is 
■occasionally  calling  them  fools,  liars,  rogues  and  hypocrites,  with 
many  other  hard  and  slanderous  names  ;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  we,  as  a  body,  take  no  responsibility  on  ourselves 
us  to  the  conduct  or  ministerial  character  of  said  man,  but  advise 
our  churches  to  mark  the  man  that  causes  divisions,  and  keep  no 
company  with  him." 

The  Circular  Letter,  prepared  by  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett, 
on  the  nature  of  a  call  to  the  ministry ,  and  the  duty  of  the  churches 
to  their  gij "ted  brethren,  was  adopted. 

When  the  body  met  on  Monday,  it  was  very  evident 
that  a  relenting  had  taken  place  in  the  minds  of  the.  brethren 
in  regard  to  the  rash  and  unprecedented  action  of  Saturday. 
The  first  act  of  the  body  after  prayer  was  the  adoption  of  a 
motion  that  "the  delegates  present  of  those  churches  which 
were  dismissed  on  Saturday,  be  invited  to  a  participation  in 
our  deliberations."  The  brethren,  however,  had  mostly  left 
for  their  homes. 

Conciliatory. — The  following  resolution  was  then  offer- 
ed  to  the  body  and  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  a  number  of  our  churches  having  found  it  con- 
venient to  establish  among  ourselves  a  new  Association,  and  asked 
for  and  received  regular  letters  of  dismission  from  this  body,  we  part 
from  those  churches  with  feelings  of  fraternal  regard,  and  invite 
them,  when  constituted,  to  reciprocate  with  us  the  usual  correspond- 
ence and  interchange  of  such  associations." 

Remarks. — The  foregoing  resolution  being  doubtless 
tendered  in  a  good  spirit  was,  at  the  proper  time,  accepted 
as  a  sufficient  amende  honorable,  and  reciprocated  by  the  new- 
body  immediately  after  its  organization. 

THE    WANDERING    PILGRIM. 

We  will  add  a  word  in  regard  to  J.  Alonzo  Webb,  who 
was  sometimes  called  the  "Wandering  Pilgrim  ;" — haled,  we 
believe,  from  the  Lakes  of  Canada  ;  was  a  native  Englishman  : 
had  first  been  a  Methodist,  but  discovering  his  error  in  regard 


W  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

to  the  mode  and  subjects  of  baptism,  he  became  a  Baptist 
minister,  and  appears  to  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  it 
was  his  special  mission  to  set  the  whole  of  Christendom  "to 
rights"  in  regard  to  the  mooted  question  of  Baptism.  That 
was  the  theme  of  nearly  all  his  discourses.  He  carried  with 
him  a  Greek  Testament  and  several  Lexicons,  and  could 
read  the  original  Greek  and  Hebrew  languages  fluently. 
He  challenged  the  Pedo-Baptist  world  to  meet  him  in  debate; 
and  during  his  sojourn  in  this  part  of  the  country  he  had  a 
public  discussion  with  a  Lutheran  minister,  but  we  have  not 
been  informed  that  he  succeeded  in  convincing  the  latter  of 
his  error.  He  had  a  faculty  for  attracting  large  crowds  of 
people  to  hear  him,  and  his  harangues  were  generally  of  two 
or  three  hours'  duration.  He  succeeded  in  making  numer- 
ous converts,  and  baptized  large  numbers  of  his  hearers. 
He  traveled  generally  on  foot,  and  appeared  to  be  poor  and 
destitute,  and  completely  indifferent  about  ministerial  sup- 
port. When  last  heard  from  he  was  in  California  disputing 
with  a  Mormon  Elder. 


CHAPTER  III. 

NOTICES   OF  THE  DIFFERENT  SESSIONS  OF  THE  I5ROAD  RIVER  ASSOCI- 
ATION,   FROM   THE  SESSION   OF   1&>1,  IN    WHICH   YEAK  THE  KINO'S 
MOUNTAIN    ASSOCIATION    WAS  ORGANIZED,   UP  TO  THE 
SESSION   OF   1882,  AT  GRASSY   POND  CHURCH. 

The  session  of  1852  met  at  Antioch  church,  York  coun- 
ty, S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  by  Elder 
Wade  Hill,  of  Capernaum  church.  The  union  consisted  of 
27  churches  ;  membership,  2379. 

The  body  was  organized  by  electing  Elder  Wade  Hill, 
Moderator,  and  Elder  Micajah  C.  Burnett,  Clerk. 

Resolutions. — The  following  resolutions  were  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  Bro.  W.  Hill  be  appointed  our  Domestic  Mission- 
ary in  York  'District,  and  that  we  give  him dollars  per  day 

to  the  extent  of  the  funds  in  hand. 

Resolved.  That  having  had  at  this  Association  especial  informa- 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  8L 

tion  as  to  portions  of  our  bounds  destitute  of  Baptist  preaching, 
we  therefore  recommend  to  our  churches  to  enable  us  to  supply 
these  portions,  by  sending  to  our  next  Association  their  liberal,  free 
will  offerings  for  Domestic  Missions. 

Bro.  William  Roberts  was  made  a  depository  for  any 
funds  sent  up  for  missionary  purposes. 

Long  Creek  church  was  dismissed,  at  her  request,  to 
join  another  association. 

The  Circular  Letter  addressed  to  the  churches  was  pre- 
pared bj-  Elder  Micajah  C.  Barnett,  on  Humiliation  and 
Prayer. 

The  session  of  1853  met  at  Friendship  church,  Spartan- 
burg county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered 
by  Elder  Micajah  C.  Barnett,  of  Cedar  Springs  church. 

Enon,  a  new  church,  was  admitted, — making  a  union  of 
26  churches  and  a  membership  of  2292. 

Elder  Wade  Hill  was  elected  Moderator,  and  Elder  Alex- 
ander J.  Cansler,  Clerk. 

After  the  usual  appointment  of  committee,  &c,  the  fol- 
lowing was  adopted : 

Whereas,  There  is  in  our  midst  a  Missionary  Society,  known 
as  the  Broad  River  Society.     Therefore 

Resolved,  That  this  Association  intrust  to  them  all  the  monies 
belonging  to  this  body,  or  shall  hereafter  belong  to  it,  for  missionary 
purposes,  to  be  appropriated  at  their  discretion,  and  that  the  mis- 
sionary operations  of  this  body  be  also  intrusted  to  them,  and  that 
they  have  permission  to  hold  their  annual  meetings  at  some  conve- 
nient time  at  each  session  of  this  Association;  to  have  a  sermon 
preached  on  the  Sabbath,  and  take  up  a  collection  for  the  benefit  of 
Missions  ;  provided,  that  the  said  society  do  annually  report  to  the 
Association  all  the  proceedings,  and  that  they  continue  to  recom- 
mend to  the  churches  to  send  up  their  free  will  offerings  by  their 
delegates  to  the  Association. 

Leave  was  then  granted  to  the  Broad  River  Society  to 
hold  its  annual  meeting  in  the  meetino;  house. 
The  following  resolutions  were  adopted,  viz  : 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Association  are  due,  and  are 
hereby  tendered,  toBro.  Thomas  Curtis,  D.  D.,  for  the  labor  so  kindly 
bestowed  (in  compliance  with  the  request  of  this  body  at  its  last  an- 
nual session)  at  Yorkville,  York  District,  S.  C. ;  and  that  the  breth- 
ren and  friends  in  that  community  aid  him  in  strengthening  and 
establishing  a  church  in  that  place. 

Resolved,  further,  That  Bro.  Curtis  be  requested  to  continue  his 
ministerial  labors  among  that  people. 
11 


82  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION". 

DISTILLING   AND   VENDING   ARDENT   SPIRITS. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Association  the  practice  of 
distilling  and  vending  ardent  spirits  promiscuously,  is  immoral  and 
injurious  to  the  religious  prosperity  of  the  community  at  large,  and 
therefore  ought  hy  all  prudent  ways  to  be  discountenanced  by  the 
churches  composing  this  body. 

SABBATH   SCHOOLS. 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  the  churches  in  our  union  that 
they  will  take  iuto  consideration  the  great  importance  of  Sabbath 
Schools,  and  that  we  urge  the  necessity  of  each  church  establishing 
a  school  for  itself. 

Resolved,  That  our  churches  be  affectionately  requested  to  report 
to  the  next  Association  their  success,  the  number  of  their  scholars, 
how  often  they  meet,  the  name  of  their  superintendent,  and  the 
number  of  books. 

Resolved,  That  Elder  W.  Curtis  be  requested  to  write  an  address 
on  the  subject  of  Sabbath  Schools  to  the  members  of  the  Baptist 
churches,  and  have  it  published  in  the  "Carolina  Intelligencer." 

Resolved,  That  our  beloved  Bro.  Cansler,  having  commenced 
the  publication  of  a  weekly  religious  paper  at  Shelby,  N.  C,  advo- 
cating the  doctrine  and  practices  of  our  churches,  we  especially  re- 
commend his  enterprise,  with  every  expression  of  confidence,  to 
their  most  favorable  notice,  and  affectionately  urge  upon  them  to 
support  it. 

The  Circular  Letter  was  prepared  by  Elder  W.  Curtis, 
on  the  Final  Perseverance  of  the  Saints.  The  letter  is  an  able 
document. 

FREE    WILL   OFFERINGS. 

Resolved,  That  the  churches  in  our  union  are  affectionately  re- 
quested to  send  up  their  liberal  free  will  offerings  to  our  next  Asso- 
ciation, to  aid  in  continuing  our  promising  and  most  important  mis- 
sionary operations  at  home  and  abroad. 

The  session  of  1854  met  at  Goucher  Creek  church,  Spar- 
tanburg county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  deliv- 
ered bv  Elder  Jno.  G.  Kendrick,  of  Pacolet  church.  Union 
was  admitted  into  the  confederacy  of  churches,  making  26 
in  all ;  membership,  2325. 

The  body  organized  bv  electing  Elder  Drurv  Scruggs, 
Moderator,  and  Micajah  C.  Barnett,  Clerk. 

After  the  appointment  of  committees,  &c,  Bro.  Pasley, 

the  agent  of  Furman  University,    had  leave  to  present  the 

claims  ot  the  University.     His  speech  was  kindly  responded 

to  by  Bros.  Curtis  and  Scruggs,  and  the  following  resolution 

adopted. 

Resolved,  That  having  heard  the  claims  of  the  Furman  Univer- 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  83 

sity  upon  us,  we  are  satisfied  they  are  important,  and  would  affec- 
tionately commend  them  to  the  attention  of  our  brethren. 

Remarks. — We  have  been  looking  for  responses  to  the 
series  of  resolutions  adopted  at  the  last  session  in  regard  to 
Sabbath  School  matters,  &c.,  but  we  discover  nothing  min- 
uted. We  hope  there  has  been  an  awakening  in  the  old 
mother  body  on  those  important  resolutions. 

The  Circular  Letter,  prepared  by  Elder  A.  J.  Cansler, 
on  the  Fellowship  of  Churches,  was  adopted. 

The  session  of  1855  met  at  Shelby,  Cleveland  county, 
£T.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  by  Elder 
Micajah  C.  Barnett,  of  Cedar  Springs  church.  The  church 
at  Rutherfordton  was  admitted  into  the  union,  making  27 
in  all ;  membership,  2352. 

The  body  was  organized  by  the  choice  of  Elders  Drury 
Scruggs,  Moderator,  and  Micajah  C.  Barnett,  Clerk. 

Queries. — After  the  usual  routine  of  appointments,  &c, 
the  body  took  up  the  following  queries  from  Cedar  Springs 

church  : 

1.  "Is  it  agreeable  to  the  Scriptures  and  Baptist  usage  for  one 
member  to  go  to  law  with  another,  without  first  laying  the  case  be- 
fore the  church,  when  time  and  opportunity  will  admit  of  it?" 

Answer.  "No." 

"Can  we  fellowship  members  of  the  Baptist  church  who  engage 
in  buying  or  selling  lottery  tickets  ?"     Answer.  "No." 

Temperance. — The  following  resolution  was  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Association  the  practice  of 
making,  vending,  or  using  as  a  beverage,  ardent  spirits,  is  repugnant 
to  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel.  Therefore  we  advise  our  churches  to 
take  active  measures  in  putting  it  down.  We  further  advise  our 
<•hurcb.es  not  to  ordain  any  man  to  the  office  of  a  minister  or  deacon 
who  practices  any  of  the  above,  or  entertains  the  opinion  that  the 
above  is  consistent  witli  the  Word  of  God. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Elder  Wm.  Curtis,  on  the  Correlative  Duties  of  Churches  and 
Ministers. 

Courtesies. — The  body  voted  resolutions  of  thanks  to 
the  Methodist  brethren  for  the  tender  of  their  house  of  wor- 
ship, and  to  the  brethren  and  citizens  of  Shelby  for  accom- 
modations and  kindnesses  during  the  session. 

SABBATH    SCHOOLS. 

We  give  the  report  on  Sabbath  Schools,  which  seems  to 
be  intended  as  a  response  to  the  resolutions  adopted  two 
years  ago : 


84  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Whereas,  The  Association  a  few  years  ago  recommended  the 
churches  to  institute  Sabbath  Schools  in  each  of  their  bounds.  Some 
few  only  have  complied  with  this,  while  numbers  of  others  have  not 
as  yet  duly  noticed  the  matter.  This  is  not  the  place  to  argue  the 
importance  of  Sabbath  Schools  at  any  length,  but  when  we  consider 
the  destitution  in  some  parts  of  the'country  of  all  the  other  means  of 
grace,  and  that  children  and  youth  instead  of  being  trained  especial" 
ly  on  that  day  in  good  and  pious  habits,  are  sometimes  running  wild 
three  Sabbaths  in  the  month,  at  least,  in  every  kind  of  idle  deeds 
and  mis-spent  time.  We  would  renew  the  attention  of  the  churches 
to  this  subject,  and  recommend  that  they  be  requested  with  their 
letters  of  next  year  to  send  up  an  account  whether  there  are  any  Sab- 
bath Schools  in  their  midst,  and  what  are  their  prospects. 

C.  P.  Petty,  Chairman. 
Remarks. — The  Broad  River  bodv  seemed  now  to  be 
taking  the  proper  course  to  encourage  the  establishment  of 
Sabbath  Schools.  The  report  of  a  committee  is  made  to  set 
forth  properly  the  wants  of  the  churches — where  the  matter 
can  be  well  discussed,  and  urged  upon  the  attendance  of  all, 
with  the  endorsement  of  the  associate  body  published  in  its 
Minutes,  to  attract  more  attention  and  have  greater  weight 
than  resolutions  or  essays  published  in  newspapers,  where 
very  few  will  ever  see  or  read  what  is  intended  for  them. 
Good  reports  on  the  various  objects  of  associational  work 
often  times  does  both  the  writer  and  the  reader  a  large 
amount  of  good :  the  writer  is  benefitted  by  exercising  his 
mind  or  thoughts  upon  the  subject  matter  of  the  report  to 
be  made — so  as  to  bring  out  a  full  expose  or  discussion  of 
the  matter — while  the  reader  is  benefitted  by  an  examination 
of  the  premises  and  the  logical  conclusions  of  the  writer. 
By  this  his  mind  becomes  influenced,  and  he  sees  at  once 
the  propriety  of  the  measure  advocated,  and  at  once  falls 
into  line  and  endeavors  to  convince  others  of  its  propriety. 
ISTo  great  measure  was  ever  carried  through  a  deliberative 
bodv  successfullv  and  permanently  without  full  and  free  dis- 
cussion  ;  and  if  Sabbath  Schools,  Temperance  or  Missions 
are  ever  properly  inaugurated,  it  will  be  after  there  has  been 
a  proper  ventillation  and  discussion  of  each.  All  may  rest 
well  assured  of  that. 

The  session  ot  1856  met  at  Sulphur  Springs  church, 
Union  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  deliver- 
ed  by   Elder    Wade   Hill,    of  Capernaum    church.     Holly 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  83 

Springs,  from  Green  River  Association,  was  admitted  into 
the  union,  making  28  in  all ;  membership,  2263. 

Elected  Elders  Wade  Hill,  Moderator,  and  Micajah  C. 
Barnett,  Clerk. 

Query. — After  the  transaction  of  the  usual  routine  of 
business,  the  following  query  from  Limestone  Springs  church 

was  taken  up  : 

"Is  it  consistent  with  New  Testament  usages  to  hold  annual 
elections  for  pastors  or  supplies  for  our  churches?" 

Answer.  "The  New  Testament  being  silent  on  the  subject,  we 
believe  it  is  the  privilege  and  duty  of  the  churches  of  this  Associa- 
tion to  elect  their  supplys  or  pastors  as  often  as  it  should  be  thought 
advisable,  for  the  peace  and  harmony  of  the  church,  and  the  con- 
vincing of  sinners  and  turning  them  to  repentance  ;  and  we  believe 
each  church  should  act  for  itself  in  its  choice  of  pastor  or  supply." 

The  Shelby  church  was  dismissed  to  join  the  King's 
Mountain  body. 

DISSOLUTION   OF   THE   BROAD   RIVER  SOCIETY. 

Resolved,  That  the  Broad  River  Association  become  a  mission- 
ary body,  and  request  the  Broad  River  Missionary  Society  to  merge 
itself  into  the  same. 

Resolved,  further,  That  Brethren  James  Ezell,  B.  B.  Foster  and 
J.  W.  Montgomery  be  appointed  a  committee  to  meet  the  Board  ot 
the  Broad  River  Missionary  Society  and,  report  on  Monday  next 
whether  or  not  this  arrangement  can  be  effected. 

The  committee  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Board,  re- 
ported :  that  they  recommend  to  that  Society  that  they  merge 
themselves  into  this  body,  and  that  the  Society  at  its  annual 
meeting  pass  the  following  resolution  . 

Resolved,  That  this  Society,  deeply  sensible  of  their  indebted- 
ness to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church,  for  the  blessings  He  has  be- 
stowed on  the  labors  of  this  body  during  the  ten  years  of  its  exist- 
ence; and  yet.  further,  that  He  has  put  it  into  the  hearts  of  the 
brethren  of  the  Broad  River  Association  to  take  upon  themselves  for 
the  future  the  great  work  in  which  they  have  been  engaged,  do  here- 
by comply  with  their  request,  and  unite  all  their  labors  with  them 
and  hereby  dissolve  this  Society,  at  the  request  of  the  Broad  River 
Association. 

The  committee  further  report,  that  they  submit  the  fol- 
lowing as  the  plan  of  operations  of  this  body  in  its  future 
missionary  operations  : 

1st.  That  this  Association  appoint  annually  seven  brethren,  a 
Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretary,  and  Treasurer,  as  a  Board, 
to  carry  on  its  missionary  operations. 

2nd.  That  this  board  shall  meet  at  least  quarterly,  and  ol'tener  if 


86  BROAD  EIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

they  see  fit,  to  attend  to  this  business  ;   and  that  a  majority   of  the 
Board  be  a  quorum  to  do  business. 

3d.  That  this  Board  be  nominated  by  a  committee  appointed  by 
the  Moderator  of  the  Association. 

4th.  That  a  brother  be  elected  annually  to  preach  on  the  Lord'^ 
day,  at  the  following  meeting  of  the  Association,  a  Missionary  Ser- 
mon, and  that  afterwards  a  collection  be  taken  up  for  missionary 
purposes. 

They  further  recommend  the  passage  of  the  following  ; 

Resolved,  That  this  Association  affectionately  and  earnestly  re* 
commend  to  the  churches,  ministers,  and  every  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist churches  within  its  bounds,  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  further 
its  missionary  operations,  and  to  contribute  liberally  to  the  support 
of  its  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missions,  and  send  up  their  funds  to 
the  Association  by  the  delegates  of  the  churches.  All  of  which  was 
adopted. 

THE    RUTHERFORDTON    CHURCH. 

Bro.  T.  Davis  made  a  statement  before  the  Association 
of  the  embarrassed  state  of  the  church  at  Rutherfordton,  on 
account  of  a  debt  contracted  iu  building  of  their  new  house 
of  worship  at  that  place.  The  delegates  and  friends  present 
responded  by  raising  eighty  dollars  and  eighty  cents  in  cash, 
and  ten  dollars  in  pledges. 

Correspondence. — The    committee   on    Corresponding 

Minutes,  reported  : 

"We  find  nothing  worthy  of  notice,  except  the  report  on  Sab- 
bath Schools,  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Tyger  River  Association.  They 
report  sixteen  Sabbath  Schools  in  active  operation  within  their 
bounds,  and  that  in  the  many  refreshing  revivals  with  which  m<  st 
of  their  churches' have  been  visited  the  last  year,  those  with  Sabbath 
Schools  were  peculiarly  blessed,  and  very  many  Sabbath  School 
scholars  were  among  the  converts.  We  recommend  the  Sabhalh 
School  operations  especially  to  the  churches  of  this  body,  and  a  bo 
'  to  our  ministers,  to  urge  the  claims  of  such  schools  upon  their  re- 
spective churches." 

Remarks. — It  seems  the  regularly  appointed  committee 
on  Sabbath  Schools  again  failed  to  make  a  report,  on  this 
important  subject.  We  are  unable  to  know,  why  it  was  so. 
The  committee  was  an  able  one,  from  whom  much  was  to 
be  expected.  If  there  was  little  Sunday  School  work  being 
done,  that  is  certainly  no  reason  wiry  there  should  not  have 
been  an  able  report  showing  what  ought  to  be  done,  and  doing. 
Encouraging  words  should  have  been  used  to  impress  upon 
the  minds  of  all  the  importance  of  the  Sunday  School  work. 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  87 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  written  by  Elder 
Thomas  Curtis,  on  the  subject  of  Popery,  and  its  probable  tend- 
encies in  the  United  States, 

Previous  to  adjournment  the  following  was  adopted  : 
Resolved,  That  the  churches  composing  this  Association  be  affec- 
tionately requested  to  engage,  as  far  as  possible,  in  the  work  of  Sab- 
bath School  instruction  ;  and  send  up  in  their  annual  letters  to  this 
body  an  exact  account  of  the  number  of  volumes  in  their  libraries, 
and  also  the  number  of  teachers  and  pupils  in  each  school. 

The  session  of  1857  was  held  at  Camp's  Creek  church, 
Cleveland  county,  N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
preached  by  Elder  Drury  Scruggs,  from  Matt.  v.  14. 

Mount  Lebanon  church  was  admitted  into  the  union — - 
making  28  in  all ;   membership,  2448.     There  were  123  bap- 
'  tisms  since  the  last  session. 

The  body 'elected  Elder  D.Scruggs,  Moderator,  and 
M.  C.  Barnett,  Clerk. 

After  the  usual  routine  of  associational  business,  the 
'  committee  on  Sabbath  Schools  reported  briefly,  as  follows  : 
We  are  gratified  to  learn  that  several  of  our  churches  have  adopt- 
ed the  resolution  of  our  last  year's  Association  in  regard  to  Sabbath 
Schools,  and  send  up  the  cheering  news  that  the  system  works  well, 
and  has  added  greatly  to  the  increase  of  religious  interest,  in  many 
of  the  young  people  remembering  their  Creator  in  the  days  of  their 
youth,  and  being  hopefully  converted  to  the  blessed  religion  of  our 
Lord.  We  recommend  all  the  churches  of  this  Association  to  estab- 
lish schools  of  this  kind,  and  report  to  our  next  meeting  all  the  facts 
in  the  case.  T.  Davis,  Chairman. 

Remarks. — We  are  glad  to  see  that  our  old  friend  and 
brother,  the  above  named  chairman,  having  been  a  repre- 
sentative man  in  the  legislature  of  his  State  some  time  pre- 
viously, was  acting  as  foreman  in  endeavoring  to  inaugurate 
a  good  system  of  Sabbath  Schools  in  the  Broad  River  Asso- 
ciation. We  hope  that  in  the  progress  of  this  associational 
review  we  shall  find  that  his  labors  were  not  in  vain. 

Finance. — In  the  absence  of  other  associational  matters 
at  this  session,  we  give  the  report  of  the  committee  on  Fi- 
nance, in  order  to  show  the  operations  or  labors  of  the  body. 
The  committee  on  Finance  reported  moneys  sent  up  by  the 

churches  : 

For  printing  Minutes,  $40.10. 

Foreign  Missions. — Antioch  church,  $10;  Limestone  Springs, 
$17  ;  Philadelphia,  $1  ;  J.  W.  McCravy,  $10.     Total,  $38.00. 


88  BEO AD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Domestic    Mtssions.— Philadelphia    church,    $7.65;    Sulphur 
Springs,  $4  ;  J.  W.  McCravy,  $2.50  ;  Collection  on  the  Sabbath,  $43.70. 
Total  for  Domestic  Missions,  $57.85.     Amount  for  all  sources,  $135.85. 
EXECUTIVE    BOARD    OF    MISSIONS. 

The  Executive  Board  of  the  Association  made  their  re- 
port, which  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows  ; 

Your  Board  of  Missions  ask  leave  to  report  that  they  have  done 
all  in  their  power  during  the  year  past.  They  have  met  as  often  as 
there  was  anything  to  do.  They  wrote  to  Bros.  Wade  Hill  and  J. 
A.  Hill,  who  could  not  serve;  and  applied  to  Bro.  TCzell,  but  could 
get  no  one  to  labor.  In  paying  Bro.  Bruce,  the  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary advanced  twenty-one  dollars,  but  the  subscription  of  the 
churches  to  this  mission  was  not  pressed,  as  (excepting  the  above 
advance)  there  was  no  need.  The  Board  has  had,  therefore,  no  funds 
to  dispose  of  for  Domestic  Missions.  It  will  be  borne  in  mind  that 
the  funds  contributed  at  the  last  Association  were  given  over  to  the 
Broad  River  Society,  and  included  in  their  financial  report  to  the 
Association.  The  fund  raised  for  Foreign  Missions  was  sent  as  di- 
rected. Tho,  Curtis,  Chairman. 

H.  G.  Gaffney,  Secretary. 

Remarks. — It  seems  there  was  but  little  done  in  the  way 

of  missionary  operations.     The  larger  part  ot  the  churches 

were  doing  nothing  at  all  in  the  great  work  of  evangelizing 

the  world,  and  consequently  the   following  resolution  very 

properly  comes  in  for  discussion  and  adoption  : 

Resolved,  That  we  request  our  churches  to  make  it  an  especial 
part  of  prayer  to  the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  to  send  more  laborers  into 
His  vineyard  ;  for  the  harvest  is  great,  and  the  laborers  are  few  ;  and 
for  an  especial  blessing  on  our  Domestic  Missions. 

The  fores-oino-  resolution,  although  very  timelv  and 
proper,  reminds  us  of  a  story  we  once  heard  of  a  lazy,  un- 
thrifty papist,  wliose  farm  was  rather  in  a  dilapidated  condi- 
tion, and,  in  consequence  of  which  the  growing  crop  was 
likely  to  prove  a  failure.  Believing  greatly  as  he  did  in  the 
power  of  the  Priest  to  command  all  the  necessary  blessings 
of  life,  he  called  him  to  his  fields  to  offer  up  prayers  in  his 
behalf.  lie  took  the  Priest  first  to  where  the  land  was  rich, 
but  covered  with  weeds  and  grass  (which  may  represent  the 
Foreign  Mission  field  ;)  the  Priest  offered  prayers  as  request- 
ed, but  insisted  on  his  parishoner  to  cultivate  better  with  the 
plough  and  hoe.  lie  then  took  his  Priest  to  another  field 
where  the  land  was  very  poor,  and  overrun  with  noxious 
vines  (which  may  represent   the  Domestic  Mission  field  over- 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  89 

run  by  the  different  denominations;  and  almost  exhausted  in 
their  struggles  to  hold  the  ascendency,)  the  Priest  after 
making  a  survey  of  this  field  said  to  his  parishoner,  "prayers 
will  be  of- no  avail  here,  the  field  is  too  much  exhausted  — 
nothing  can  grow  here  profitably  to  mankind  until  complete 
fertilization  is  attended  to  and  the  field  made  more  self- 
sustaining ;  it  is  now  a  barren  waste,  and  the  laborer  cannot 
expect  to  reap  a  harvest  which  will  not  grow  upon  its  sur- 
face." Well  did  the  Hills  and  Ezells,  therefore,  refuse  en- 
gagements with  the  Board  to  cultivate  a  field  that  would  not 
pay. 

Elder  L.  M.  Berry. — The  following  resolution  was 
adopted : 

lie-solved.  That  Elder  L.  M.  Berry,  agent  of  the  Board  of  Domes- 
tic and  Indian  Missions,  have  the  opportunity  immediately  to  pre- 
sent the  claims  of  the  Board  before  the  congregation  at  the  stand. 

Remarks. — It  is  not  stated  in  the  Minutes  what  success 
Bro.  Berry  met  with.  He  had  the  reputation  of  being  a 
good  collector.  We  were  riding  with  him  once  from  a 
church  where  he  had  made  a  very  close  drive  for  money  and 
did  not  succeed  very  well.  As  we  were  about  to  pass  some 
persons  in  the  road  who  had  been  at  the  meeting,  Bro.  Berry 
observed  a  man  with  his  pocket  book  in  his  hand  looking  at 
its  contents.  "Said  he  to  us,  "I  shall  yet  get  some  monev 
from  that  man  with  his  pocket  book  in  his  hand."  It  how- 
ever, did  not  happen  that  he  did.  We  commenced  teasing 
him  about  it,  when  he  observed  th.it  "he  knew  then  the 
reason  why  the  man  was  looking  in  his  pocket  book — he 
considered  him  (Berry)  a  wizard,  and  he  feared  that  by  some 
hocus-pocus  maneuver  he  had  got  his  money  without  his 
consent,  and  he  was  looking  to  see  if  he  had." 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  written  by 
Elder  Micajah  C.  Barnett,  on  the  subject  of  Sabbath  Schools, 
which  was  adopted. 

The  session  of  1858  met  at  Capernaum  church,  Cleve- 
land county,  N".  0.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached 
by  Elder  Mieajab  C.  Barnett,  from  Heb.  vi.'l.  The  union 
consists  of  28  churches  and  a  membership  of  2905.  Bap- 
tisms, 146. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  Wacle  Hill,  Mod- 
erator, and    MicMJahC.  Barnett,  Clerk. 

12 


90  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Executive  Board. — After  the  transaction  of  the  usual 
course  of  business  the  body,  through  a  nominating  commit- 
tee, appointed  Elders  Tho.  Curtis,  Drury  Scruggs,  Jas.  Ezell, 
J.  G.  Gaffney,  J.  Byers,  A.  Bonner,  and  M.  C.  Barnett  a 
Missionary  Board:  H.  G.  Gaffney,  Recording  Secretary; 
"Win.  Curtis,  Corresponding  Secretary;  C.  P.  Petty,  Treas- 
urer.    We  again  give  the  report  of  the  Finance  committee: 

Money  sent  up  from  the  churches  for  Minutes,  $41.10. 

Antioch  church,  $9  ;  Limestone  Springs,  §43.60;  E.Thompson 
fori.  M.,$l;  Collection  on  Sabbath,  $49.20;  balance  in  Treasurer's 
hands  of  last  year,  $95.85.     Aggregate  amount,  $239.75. 
Here  follows  the  report  of  the  Board  : 

In  making  our  annual  report,  we  can  only  with  regret  state  in 
regard  to  the  Home  Mission,  that  while  we  have  used  all  due  efforts 
to  obtain  a  Missionary  and  keep  him  in  the  field  within  the  bounds 
of  our  Association  during  the  past  year,  we  have  been  unable  to  suc- 
ceed. We  first  made  the  appointment  of  Bro.  L.  M.  Berry,  with  the 
alary  of  four  hundred  dollars  for  his  entire  time,  and  on  conditions 
of  locating  within  the  field  of  his  labors.  He  at  first  accepted  and 
entered  for  a  few  days  on  his  work,  but  afterwards  retired  and  re- 
signed. Later  in  the  season  we  appointed  Bro.  Gold,  who  at  first 
accepted,  but  was  unable  when  the  time  come  to  enter  on  the  work. 
Could  we  have  found  suitable  men.  we  should  have  found  no  diffi- 
culty in  obtaining  the  means  to  support  them.  The  work  in  this 
field  is  pressing.  We  ought  to  and  we  can  keep  one  minister  among 
our  feeble  churches  and  destitute  parts  of  the  country  around  us, 
But  where  to  find  the  brother  to  go  we  have  not  known.  For  For- 
eign Missions,  the  Treasurer's  report  will  show  that  we  still  have 
funds  on  hand  for  both  fields.  We  have  felt  it  unnecessary  to  ask 
the  churches  to  contribute  for  the  home  field.  The  body  appear  to 
be  doing  very  little  indeed. 

Tho.  Curtis,  Chairman. 

SABBATH-SCHOOLS. 

We  give  the  action  of  the  body  this  year  in  reference  to 
Sabbath  Schools.  Last  year  we  were  hopeful,  but  we  now 
become  more  despondent  than  ever.  The  committee  on  Sab- 
bath Schools  reported  : 

'•That  we  find  a  recommendation  in  the  last  Minutes  that  all  the 
churches  of  this  Association  should  establish  schools  of  this  kind, 
and  report  next  year  all  the  facts  of  the  case.  We  find  but  one  repor. 
of  this  nature  has  been  sent  up  this  year,  viz:  from  Rutherfordtont 
In  that  church  a  school  has  been  established  and  is  doing  well.  We 
can  only  regret,  therefore,  that  the  recommendation  of  the  Associa- 
tion has  been  so  little  attended  to,  and  think  if  the  Association  con- 
tinue this  recommendation,  it  will  receive  more  attention  the  coming 
year.  Thomas  Curtis,  Chairman." 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  91 

On  motion,  the  recommendation  of  last  year  was  con- 
tinued, and  we  await  with  anxiety  to  see  to  what  purpose. 
It  would  seem  that  Sabbath  schools  had  not  yet  received  the 
proper  impetus  to  drive  them  forward. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  written  by  Elder 
Thomas  Curtis,  on  the  projjer  observance  of  t lie  Sabbath  by  our 
churches  and  people. 

The  59th  session  met  at  Gilead  church,  Union  county, 
S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  by  Elder 
Wade  Hill,  from  Psalms  xxvii.  14.  Mount  Zion  church  was 
admitted  into  the  body,  making  a  union  of  29  churches  and 
a  membership  of  2559. 

The  Association  organized  by  electing  Elders  Wade  Hill, 
Moderator,  and  Micajah  C.  Barnett,  Clerk. 

After  appointing  committees  on  the  different  objects  of 
associational  labor,  the  committee  on  Sabbath  schools  re- 
ported .- 

That  the  history  of  the  past  has  abundantly  tested  the  value  and 
blessedness  of  this  institution.  We  would  that  our  brethren  knew 
some  of  the  glorious  results  of  Sabbath  school  labors.  These  interests 
have  never  flourished  as  ranch  as  we  could  desire  in  our  midst. 
Even  now  there  is  not,  perhaps,  a  flourishing  Sabbath  school  in  our 
bounds.  Dear  Brethren,  does  it  not  become  us  to  enquire  Why  this 
sad  deficiency  ?  Doubtless  many  of  our  brethren  lack  information 
in  this  matter.  Information  is  needed  in  reference  to  the  best  man- 
ner of  organizing  and  conducting  Sabbath  schools.  To  this  end  your 
committee  recommend  the  following:  "The  Children's  Friend,"  a 
periodical  devoted  to  Sabbath  school  interests,  published  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  should  be  patronized  by  us.  Books  suitable  for  Sabbath 
schools  and  Sabbath  school  laborers,  may  also  be  had  directly  from 
our  Southern  Publication  Society,  located  at  Charleston,  S.  C.  The 
Bjard  of  Sabbath  schools  of  the  Htate  Convention  proposes  to  send 
Out  an  agent  to  visit  all  the  churches  in  the  State,  and  labor  for  the 
promotion  of  Sabbath  school  interests.  We  should  invite  this  agent 
into  our  bounds.  Wm.  Curtis,  Chairman. 

Remarks. — The  foregoing  report  is  a  suggestion  or  move 
in  the  right  direction,  and  if  followed  up  will  soon  be  instru- 
mental in  establishing  the  Sabbath  school  interests  in  the 
several  churches  of  the  Association. 

Dr.  Thomas  Curtis. — On  the  29th  of  January  last  of 
the  present  year,  Elder  Thomas  Curtis  perished  in  the  flames 
of  the  ill-fated  steamer,  "North  Carolina,"  passing  from  Bal- 
timore to  Norfolk.     This  was   a   sad  loss,    not   only  to  the 


92  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Broad  River  Association,  of  which  he  was  a  worthy  member 
and  shining  light  to  the  body,  but  in  fact  it  was  sensibly  felt 
in  the  whole  State  of  his  adoption,  both  by  the  literary  and 
religious  classes  of  society.  This  being  the  first  session  of 
the  bodv  after  his  unfortunate  demise,  it  was  fitting;  and 
proper  that  some  notice  of  his  great  worth,  and  a  tribute  of 
respect  of  a  proper  kind,  be  adopted  and  entered  on  the  Min- 
utes of  the  session.  The  committee  on  Obituaries  were 
therefore  requested  to  procure  trie  biographical  sketch  of  his 
life,  as  read  by  Dr.  Manly  at  Limestone  Springs,  on  the  oc- 
casion of  his  funeral  sermon,  which  he  preached  there  soon 
after  his  decease,  which  paper  was  obtained  by  the  commit- 
tee and  is  published  in  this  work  as  a  part  of  the  biographi- 
eal  notice  taken  of  Elder  Curtis. 

The  Circular  Letter  prepared   by  Elder  John  S.  Ezell, 
on  Personality ,  was  adopted. 

The  committee  on  Obituaries  reported  : 
''That  the  Association  is  called  upon  to  pay  an  affectionate  trib- 
ute of  respect  to  the  memories  of  our  departed  brethren,  Deacon  R 
Coleman,  ot  the  church  with  which  we  are  now  meeting  ;  deacon  R. 
Vaughn,  of  Friendship,  and  deacon  E.  Turner,  of  Buffalo  church. 
They  were  all  men  who  filled  the  office  of  a  deacon  well,  "and  pur- 
chased to  themselves  a  good  degree  and  great  boldness  in  the  faith." 
Following  the  example  of  the  first  Christians,  while  we  would  sym- 
pathize With  those  who  weep  over  their  loss,  it  becomes  us.  thought- 
fully to  recollect  that  the  dove,  the  laurel  and  the  crown  are  now  the 
fitting  emblems  to  be  inscribed  against  their  names;  and  that  God 
has  graciously  in  His  good  time  delivered  them  from  the  sins  and 
sorrows  of  this  present  evil  world  forever.  The  direct  action  of  your 
body  in  adding  to  our  Minutes  a  more  extended  account  of  the  life 
and  labors  of  our  beloved  and  venerated  father  in  the  Gospel,  Elder 
Thomas  Curtis,  D.D.,  is  referred  to  as  sufficient  and  appropriate  in 
this  matter. 

B.  B.  Poster,  Chairman." 

See  biographical  notice  of  Dr.  Thos.  Curtis. 

Executive  Boards. — We  give  the  report  for  this   year 
of  the  Missionary  Board  : 

De-a r  Brethren  : — Tn  making  to  you  this  our  annual  report, 
we  cannot  but  mourn  with  you  over  the  irreparable  loss  at  present 
that  we  suffer,  in  that  it  has  pleased  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church 
as  being  best  in  His  sight  to  take  from  us  our  beloved  and  venerable 
brother  and  presiding  officer.  Constantly  associated  with  him  in 
this  body,  we  may  well  bear  tribute  to  the  expanded  benevolence, 
grea'nvss  of  faith,  uninterested  energy  and  love  for  the  souls  of  men, 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  93 

witli  which  he  has  impressed  our  plans  and   exertions  to  spread 
abroad  the  saving  knowledge  of  the  Truth,   as  it  is  in  Christ  Jesus. 
•Greatly  in  consequence  of  this,  our  meetings  have  not  been  held  as 
regularly  as  they  otherwise  would  have  heen.     We  appointed,  how- 
ever, our  brother  J.  Suttle  to  labor  in  the  York   Mission  half  of  the 
year.     He  has  only  been  able  however  to  give  a  portion  of  this  time 
— that  is  one  Saturday  and  Sabbath  a  month   at  Union  church — 
preaching  generally  on   Sabbath  evenings  at  Sardis,  besides  holding 
a  series  of  meetings  with  both  these  churches  ;    their  meetings,  not' 
withstanding,   have  been   greatly  blessed  with   the  Divine  favor. 
Bro.  Suttle  has  received  and  baptized  seven  converts  at  Sardis  and 
thirty-eight  at  Union.     We  trust  the  good  work  is  still  going  on  ;  let 
us  thank  God  and  take  courage.     A  commendable  liberality  has  also 
been  shown  by  the  brethren  and  friends  there,  especially  at  Union, 
as  will  appear  by  reference  to  the  report  of  the  contributions  given 
to  the  Financial  committee.     As  the  accommodations  at  Union  are 
too  limited,  we  are  happy  to   learn  and  report  to  you  that  they  are 
seriously  talking  of  building  a  suitable  meeting  house,  and  that  gen- 
erous contributions  for  this  purpose  have  already  been  offered  them. 
We  have  still  a  want  of  means  in  carrying  on  the  great  work,  to  the 
watchful  care  of  which  you  have  appointed  us.     We  want  laborers; 
prayer  is  wanted  tor  laborers  ;  the  fields  are  white.,  ready  for  the  har- 
vest.    The  Treasurer's  report,  herewith  submitted,  will  show  that 
we  have  on   hand  a  balance  of  $90.70,  to  meet  our  indebtedness  to 
Bro.  Suttle  for  his  labors,  without  receiving  any  of  the  contributions 
that  we  are  glad  to  see  are  being  so  liberally  made  by  the  churches 
tit  this  present  time.-     We  forward  $108.70  for  Foreign  Missions,  and 
trust  the  time  may  not  be  far  distant  when  there  will  be  a  reforma- 
tion of  our  churches,  laboring  as  a  faithful  minister  of  Christ,  sent 
out  and  supported  by  us,  and  retaining  his  constant  and  stimulating 
reports  of  God's  blessing  on   his  labors,  shall  be   found  both  in  the 
home  and  foreign  field.     Your  Board  is  greatly  encouraged  by  the 
feeling  and  interest  manifested  and  growing  among  our  churches; 
and  they  confidently  believe  that  in  sustaining  their  missionary,  in 
fostering  and  directing  Sabbath  school  laborers,  and  in  distributing 
(hooks— and  especially  the  best  of  all   books— and  in  wisely  consider- 
ing how  the  spiritual  wants  of  our  colored  population  may  be  proj> 
erly  and  fully  met,  a  greater  work  and  one  more  sure  immediately 
to  reward  your  labors  than  you  have  been   permitted  heretofore  to 
inter  upon,  is  before  you  for  the  ensuing  year, 

H.  G.  Gaffney,  Secretary." 
c.  P.  PETTY,  treasurer's  report: 

Collections  front)  all  sources $H)9.40 

Credit  by  money  sent  Foreign  Missions.^ ...  108.70 

Balance  in  hand $90.70 

Remarks. — The  above  is  submitted  merely  to  show  what 

the  Association  was  doing  on  the  subject  of  Missions.     In 

looking  through  the  succeeding  Minutes  of  the  body  we  hope 


'  H  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

to  find  more  being  clone  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  If  we  do 
not,  we  shall  deem  it  inexpedient  to  embody  in  our  work 
any  more  reports  of  the  Missionary  Board,  lest  in  doing  so 
it  might  be  alleged  by  the  casual  reader  of  these  notices  that 
we  were  indirectly  poking  fun  at  the  old  mother  body.  We 
however  do  not  mean  that.  Doubtless  the  body  was  doing 
the  best  she  could,  considering  the  number  of  drones  she 
had  in  the  associational  hive.  Such,  however,  will  be  drop- 
ped out  by  the  active  workers  after  awhile,  and  then  the 
products  will  be  much  greater.  The  missionary  spirit  and 
movement  is  certainly  on  the  onward  and  upward  march 
throughout  the  entire  country,  and  we  have  good  grounds 
now  for  hoping  that  all  those  now  sitting  in  the  "regions  of 
darkness  and  in  the  shadow  of  death,"  will  soon  be  blest 
with  the  glorious  light  of  the  Gospel  of  peace. 

The  60th  session  met  at  Limestone  Springs  church, 
Spartanburg  county,  S.  0.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
preached  by  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett,  from  Isaiah  xxvi.  12,  13. 
Sardis  church  was  admitted  into  the  union,  making  31 
churches,  with  a  membership  of  2786. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elders  M.  C.  Barnett, 
Moderator,  and  Wm.  Curtis,  Clerk. 

Distinguished    Visitors. — After   the    appointment    of 

committees,  &c,  Elders  E.  A.  Crawley,  D.D.,  J.  0.  B.  Dar- 

gan,  D.D.,  "YV.  B.  Carson,  editor  Southern  Baptist,  J.  E.  Rae, 

of  the  Bible  Revision  Society,  being  present  were  invited  to 

seats. 

Query. — The  following  query  from  Goueher  Creek  was 

taken  up: 

"If  a  member  be  excluded  from  one  church,  not  having  been 
justly  dealt  with,  and  applies  to  another  church  for  membership 
upon  a  statement  of  facts,  what  should  be  the  course  of  the  latter 
church  ?" 

Answer.  "In  the  opinion  of  this  Association,  one  church  is 
equal  to  another,  and  that  church  independence  involves  church 
equality.  And  i  f  one  church  is  equal  to  another,  then  it  is  obviously 
absurd  to  say  that  the  action  of  one  church  binds  any  other  church, 
much  le^s  every  other  church.  But  christian  propriety  and  the 
peace  of  Zion  requires  that  the  opinions  and  decisions  of  churches 
and  majorities  shall  lie  respected.  We  would,  therefore,  recommend 
that  when  patties  excluded  from  one  church  apply  for  membership 
in  another  church,   that  the  church  so  applied  to  should  not  receive 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  95 

such  parties  on  their  bare  statement ;  but  if,  in  her  judgment  there 
should  appear  to  be  just  reasons  for  believing  that  said  party  or  par- 
ties had  been  unjustly  dealt  with,  that  she  might  with  great  propri- 
ety interpose  in  behalf  of  said  excluded  parties,  and  by  negotiating 
with  the  church  excluding  said  parties  secure  an  impartial  examina- 
tion of  the  nature  of  the  charges  and  evidence  upon  which  such  par- 
ties were  excluded,  and  if,  after  an  impartial  examination  by  dis- 
interested parties,  it  should  appear  that  said  parties  had  been  unjustly 
excluded,  and  if  after  the  excluding  church  had  been  admonished 
to  restore  to  fellowship  such  excluded  parties,  she  (the  excluding 
•church)  should  still  refuse  to  do  so,  the  said  excluded  parties  might, 
if  their  piety  would  recommend  them,  be  received  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  another  church  without  any  violation  of  the  principles  of 
the  Gospel." 

SYNOPTICAL    HISTORY    OF    THE    ASSOCIATION. 

The  following  was  adopted  :  , 

Resolved,  That  a  Synoptical  History  of  the  Association,  in  its 
rise  and  progress,  be  prepared  for  publication  instead  of  the  next 
Circular  Letter,  and  that  Brethren  D.  Scruggs,  W.  Curtis,  T,  B.  Jus* 
tice,  M.  C.  Barnett,  James  Ezell,  sr.,  and  R.  White  be  a  committee 
to  prepare  the  same. 

Remarks. — The  foregoing  committee,  with  the  exception 
jsf  Elder  M.  G.  Barnett,  failed  to  act,  and  consequently  but 
Httle  was  done  in  collecting  materials  for  the  contemplated 
history  of  the  Association.  Elder  Barnett  prepared  a  pam- 
phlet of  some  sixty  pages?  which  has  been  published  and 
distributed  among  the  churches,  and  is  a  work  of  much  in- 
terest,  in  which  many  incidents  and  other  more  valuable 
associational  matters  have  been  collated  and  preserved  for 
the  benefit  of  succeeding  generations  of  the  Baptist  family. 
We  shall  of  course  avail  ourselves  of  the  benefit  of  this  work 
and  frequently  make  quotations  from  it  with  a  view  of  get- 
ting it  into  our  work  and  in  a  better  form  for  preservation. 

Bro.  Toliver  Davis. — Bro.  Toliver  Davis,  of  the  Ruth- 
erfordton  church,  and  Chairman  of  the  committee  on  Sab- 
bath Schools,  who  has  long  since  crossed  over  the  river  and 
gone  to  his  reward,  has  left  behind  him  the  following  Sab- 
bath School  report,  which  is  an  honor  to  his  memory,  and 
has  doubtless  been  a  great  help  to  the  Sabbath  School  cause 

in  the  bounds  of  the  Broad  River  Association.  And  in  or- 
der that  it  may  be  productive  of  yet  more  good  to  the  cause 
<>f  Sabbath  Schools,  we  reproduce  it  in  our  work,  and  thereby 
preserve  to  Baptist  posterity  the  name  of  one  who  honored 
Christ  with  his  substance  : 


96  BRO A  D  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

"The  subject  of  Sabbath  Schools  has  long  been  treated  as  a  mat- 
ter of  most  serious  importance  by  our  Association,  and  constant  ex- 
perience proves  the  value  of  the  institution.  Whilst  all  admit  the 
fact,  still  the  larger  proportion  remain  destitute  of  this  great  means 
of  religious  instruction  to  the  rising  generation.  Many  of  our 
churches  have  neglected  to  send  statements.  Providence,  Macedo- 
nia and  Philadelphia  report  large  and  flourishing  Sabbath  Schools. 
We  can  do  nothing  more  than  urge  it  upon  every  church  to  engage 
in  this  holy  work  ;  it  is  a  work  calculated  to  confer  present  and  ever- 
lasting blessings  on  those  who  teach  as  well  as  on  those  who  receive 
instruction.  We  shall  not  repeat  the  arguments  so  often  and  so  well 
addressed  to  us  in  favor  of  our  Sabbath  Schools, — they  are  no  longer 
needed  to  convince  us  ;  all  are  persuaded  that  it  is  the  duty  of  each 
church  to  establish  them  if  practicable.  We  think  the  failure  to  do- 
so  arises  partly  from  wrong  views  as  to  the  means  and  circumstances 
necessary;  if  our  churches  would  assemble  every  Lord's  day,  whether 
there  is  preaching  or  not,  the  work  would  be  easy.  In  neighbor- 
hoods where  the  population  is  much  scattered  (so  that  the  children 
and  young  persons  cannot  all  conveniently  attend  at  the  meeting 
house,)  there  might  be  one  or  more  schools  at  convenient  points 
conducted  by  members  of  the  church  residing  in  the  neighborhood. 
We  would  again  commend  this  matter  to  the  earnest  attention  and 
exertion  of  the  pastors  and  ministers  who  supply  the  churches  :  their 
combined  efforts  would  soon  make  a  change  and  put  in  operation 
Sunday  Schools  in  every  possible  locality,  thus  doing  a  great  work 
for  tbe  promotion  of  the  Kingdom  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
give  them  many  souls  for  their  hire.  This  implies,  of  course,  the 
willing  co-operation  of  the  brethren  of  each  church. 

"In  conclusion,  we  would  suggest  that  the  want  of  books  need 
'Hot  deter  any  church  from  undertaking  a  Sunday  School.  A  very 
small  sum  is  sufficient  to  procure  the  primary  books  needed,  and  (be 
Bible  itself  is  the  best  of  all  others,  and  wfFeiievev  a  church  determ- 
ines to  act,  they  eaii  easily  be  procured  through  application  lo  our 
book  depositories;  And  we  would  further  recommend  our  churches 
to  do  away  with  tbe  use  of  the  Union  Question  and  Sabbath  School 
books,  and  procure  tbe  books  prepared  by  our  own  denomination. 

Touvhik  Davis,  Chairman." 
The  following  was  then  adjopted  : 
Resolved,  That  we  invite  the  Sabbath  School  Board  of  the  State 
Convention  to  direct,  as  soon  as  they  may  be  able  to  perfect  their 
appointment,  the  General  Superintendent  of  the  Sabbath  Schools 
connected  with  our  denomination,  to  visit  our  section  of  the  country, 
and  recommend  our  churches  most  cordially  to  receive  and  listen  to 
his  suggestions. 

DISTILIiEBS  OF  ARDENT  SPIRITS. 

The  following  was  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  the  churches  and  ministers  of. 
this  Association  not  to  receive  and  baptize  distillers  of  ardent  spirits 
into  the  fellowship  of  our  churches. 


BROAD  RIVER, BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  97 

OPERATIONS  OF  THE    EXECUTIVE    BOARD. 

The  Missionary  Board  employed  Elder  Jos.  Suttle  one- 
half  of  his  time  to  supply  Union  and  Sardis  churches,  and 
to  put  in  such  other  portion  of  his  time  as  he  could  in  the 
field.  They  also  appointed  Elder  Wade  Hill  to  labor  in  the 
York  Mission  a  short  portion  of  the  year,  which  he  attended 
to  with  encouraging  success. 

The  Treasurer  reports  collections 1312.40 

Disbursed  to  Elder  J.  Suttle 42.63 

Balance  on  hand  Oct.  22d,  I860 269.86 

$312  49 


The  Circular  Letter  was  written  by  Elder  Wm,  Curtis, 
on  systematic  effort  in  spreading  the  Gospel.  (See  biographi- 
cal notice  of  Dr.  Wm.  Curtis.) 

The  session  of  1861  met  at  Gilead  church,  Union  countv, 
S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  bv  Elder 
Wm.  Curtis,  Rom.  vi.  3,  4.  The  union  consisted  of  30 
churches,  and  a  membership  of  2638. 

The  body  was  organized  by  electing  Elders  M.  C.  Bar- 
nett,  Moderator,  and  Wm.  Curtis,  Clerk. 

After  the  appointment,  of  committees  and  the  usual 
routine  of  associational  work,  the  Treasurer  reported  monies 
collected  (including  balance  of  $269.86  last  year,)       $370.86 

By  am'tspaid  Elder  Jos.  Suttle,  Oct.  22d,  1860 $75.00 

W.Hill,        10.00 

J.  Suttle,  Jan'y,  1861 30.25 

D.  Scruggs 56  00  t 

171.25 


Ry 

u 

'I 

(1 

By 

11 

(1 

( 1 

By 

(I 

It 

11 

Amount  to  balance 199.61 

ELDERS   F.    W.    I/ITTIiEJOHN   AND  M.  MUJLLINAX. 

The  committee  on  Obituaries  reported: 
We  are  under  the  necessity  of  reporting  the  departed  worth  of 
Elders  F.  W.  Littlejohn  and  Madison  Mullinax,  both  ministers  be- 
longing to  the  Broad  River  Association,  of  unimpeachable  characters. 
We  trust  that  the  exhibition  of  the  life  and  power  of  Christianity 
exemplified  in  their  lives  of  usefulness  in  connection  with  their  min- 
istrations in  the  Gospel  will  long  be  unto  us  "living  epistles,  known 
and  read  of  all  men."  Bro.  Littlejohn  was  ordained  to  the  ministry 
in  the  Goucher  Creek  church  about  twenty  years  ago,  and  for  a  long 
time  labored  zealously  and  successfully  in  the  Gospel.  For  some 
time  past,  owing  to  the  infirmities  of  the  body,  he  refused  to  take 
the  pastoral  charge  of  any  church,  still  unto  the  day  of  his  death  he 
never  threw  off  the  mantle  of  his  calling.  He  died  of  apoplexy  on 
the  10th  of  October  last,  being  about  fifty-five  years  old. 
13 


/ 

98  BEOAD  HIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Bro.  Mullinax  had  been  engaged  in  the  ministry  about  the  same 
number  of  years,  laboring  faithfully  in  his  Master's  cause  until  the 
day  of  his  death.  He  died  on  the  20th  of  February  last,  of  pneumo- 
nia, aged  forty-nine  years. 

We  would  also  notice  the  demise  of  Elder  Joseph  Suttle,  who, 
though  not  a  member  of  this  Association,  yet  living  in  the  esteem 
and  affection  of  this  body,  claims  from  us  a  tribute  of  grateful  remem- 
brance.    He  died  in    the  triumphs  of  faith  on  the  26ih  May  last,  in 

his  thirty-fifth   year,  having  been   engaged  in  the  ministry  about 
thirteen  years. 

It  has  also  come  to  our  notice  that  our  aged  and  well  beloved 
brother,  J.  W.  Cooper',  the  oldest  member  of  the  Cedar  Springs 
church  (having  been  a  professor  of  Christianity  about  sixty  years,) 
departed  this  life  on  the  13th  of  May  last,  in  the  seventy-fourth  year 
of  his  age.  He  represented  his  church  in  this  Association  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  perhaps  no  man  was  ever  more  beloved,  so  far 
as  his  acquaintance  extended  ;  indeed  he  was  a  sort  of  favorite  with 
all  who  knew  him.  He  was  one  of  those  men  who  combined  the 
doctrinal  and  practical  parts  of  religion  in  himself. 

Those  of  our  brethren  that  have  once  associated  with  us  here, 
now  "rest  from  their  labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them. 

B.  Bonner,  Chairman." 
Remarks. — We  were  well  acquainted  with  the  brethren 
noticed  in  the  foregoing  report,  having  sat  with  them  in  dif- 
ferent sessions  of  the  Association,  .and  willingly   bear  testi- 
mony to  their  sterling  worth,  deep  piety  and  great  usefulness. 
The  following  resolution  was  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  we  deem  it  in  accordance  with  Scripture,  where 
a  member  absents  himself  from  the  church,  to  send  for  him  to  en- 
quire his  reasons. 

Secession. — The  following  preamble  and  resolution  was 
adopted : 

Whereas,  Since  the  last  meeting  of  our  body,  the  Southern 
States  have  withdrawn  from  the  Federal  Government  of  the  United 
States  and  formed  a  new  government,  styled  the  Southern  Confede- 
racy, we,  as  a  religious  body  enjoying  the  benefit  and  protection 
thereof,  feel  it  our  privilege  and  duty  to  express  our  sentiments  with 
regard  to  this  momentous  event.     Therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  do  fully  acquiesce  and  heartily  concur  in  the 
action  of  the  Southern  States,  and  extend  to  our  rulers  and  soldiers, 
and  officers  of  the  army  our  best  wishes  for  their  success,  accompa- 
nied with  our  earnest  appeal  at  a  throne  of  Grace  for  their  guidance 
and  protection,  commending  at  the  same  time  our  country  to  the 
Almighty  God.  that  He  may  direct  all  things  for  the  advancement 
of  His  Kingdom  and  glory  of  H\s  name. 

Remarks. — Comment   is   unnecessary.     The  Southern 
people  knew  their  rights  and,  like   men,  they   resolved  to 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  99 

Stand  by  them  and  defend  them,  if  possible.  The  sequel  of 
a  hard  and  protracted  struggle  shows  how  well  they  carried 
out  their  resolutions.  They  had  at  last  to  succumb,  it  is 
true,  but  they,  as  the  sons  of  noble  sires  of  the  Anglo-Saxon 
race,  never  made  a  sacrifice  of  their  honor. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  for  this  year  was 
prepared  by  Elder  Drury  Scruggs,  the  same  being  a  statisti- 
cal collection  for  the  use  of  future  associational  historians. 

The  62d  session  met  at  Philadelphia'  church,  Spartan- 
burg county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached 
by  Elder  B.  Bonner,  2  Cor.  v.  14,  15.  There  are  30  churches 
in  the  union.     Membership,  2516. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  M.  C.  Barnett,  Mode- 
rator, and  Bro.  J.  W.  Bobo,  Clerk. 

Distinguished  Visitors. — Elder  W.  H.  Mcintosh,  of 
Domestic  and  Indian  Mission  Board,  and  Elder  W.  D.  Rice, 
of  Sabbath  School  and  Colportage  Board  of  the  Baptist 
State  Convention,  appeared  at  this  session  in  behalf  of  their 
respective  Boards,  and  were  received  and  aided  in  then- 
work. 

Executive  Board. — The  Missionary  Board  reported  : 

Former  balance  of. 1199.61 

Cash  from  ladies 8.00 

$207.61 

1861.  Dec.  6.  Cr.  by  amount  paid  Bro.  Suttle's  widow.  $42.50 

iggs 

-  $132.50 


"     Scruggs 90.00 


Balance $75.11 

The  committee  on  Sabbath  Schools  appear  to  be  encour- 
aged by  the  operations  of  the  past  year,  and  report  a  goodly 
number  of  schools  in  good  working  order. 

Deceased  Brethren. — The  committee  on  Obituaries 
report  the  names  of  J.  G-.  Mullinax,  of  Antioch  church ; 
E.  H.  Smith,  of  Philadelphia  church,  and  C.  P.  Petty,  of 
Limestone  Springs,  besides  the  names  of  quite  a  number  of 
young  brethren  who  have  fallen  during  the  past  year  by  the 
relentless  hand  of  death.  Peace  be  to  their  ashes. 
The  following  resolution  was  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  each  member  of  our  churches  be  affectionately 
requested  to  especially  remember  our  beloved  soldiers  and  suffer- 
ing country,  in  their  private  prayers  at  sunrise  and  sunset  every 
day,  for  their  temporal  and  spiritual  safety  and  welfare. 


100  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

The  Circular  Letter,  on  the  wants  of  the  churches,  was 
prepared  by  Elder  William  Curtis,  and  is  an  excellent  doc- 
ument. 

The  63d  session  met  at  Pacolet  church,  Union  county, 
S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  by  Elder  T. 
B.  Justice,  of  the  Rutherfordtou  church.  Luke  ii.  30,  31, 
32d  verses.  The  Shelby  church,  dismissed  from  the  Kind's 
Mountain  Association,  was  again  admitted  into  this  body — 
making  a  union  of  31   churches  and  a  membership  of  2713. 

Elder  M.  C.  Barnett  was  elected  Moderator,  and  Bro. 
J.  W.  Bobo,  Clerk. 

REQUEST  OF  STATE   LINE  CHURCH. 

After  the  usual  routine  of  associational  business,  the 
body  took  up  the  special  request  of  State  Line  church,  and 
appointed  Brethren  H.  Borders,  J.  Jefferies  and  A.  M.  Smith 
a  committee  to  nominate  a  committee  of  twelve  to  go  to 
State  Line  church  to  aid  them  in  their  difficulty, — which 
committee  appointed  Brethren  E.  A.  Crawley,  M.  C.  Bar- 
nett, J.  S.  Ezell,  W.  Hill,  B.  B.  Foster,  H.  G.  Gaffney,  J.  G. 
Kendrick,  T.  B.  Justice,  E.Lipscomb,  W.  Austell,  James 
Ezell  and  E.  Barnett. 

CONFEDERATE    DESERTERS. 

Query. — The  following  query  was  taken  up  from  Ca- 
pernaum Church  : 

"How  shall  we  proceed  with  members  of  our  churches  who 
have  deserted  from  service  in  the  Confederate  army?" 

Answer.  "'That  all  cases  of  desertion  should  not  be  dealt  with 
immediately,  because  by  delay  thus  to  act  the  persons  may  yet  be 
restored  to  their  country,  and  to  the  true  cause.  But  this  answer 
is  not  to  be  taken  as  allowing  desertion,  which  is  a  grievous  sin, 
and  deserves  the  dealings  of  the  church." 

OPERATIONS  OF    THE  MISSIONARY  BOARD. 

Elder  J.  S.  Ezell  as  Chairman,  made  the  following 
statement  of  the  operations  of  the  Missionary  Board  : 

There  is  for  last  year's  report  a  balance  of  $75.11  in  the  hands  of 
the  representatives  of  the  estate  of  Bro.  C.  P.  Petty,  deceased,  the 
former  Treasurer,  of  which  §20.00  is  due  for  Foreign  Missions.  It 
i<  also  to  be  noted  that  §74.50  remains  due  for  Missionary  services 
still  unpaid.     There  is  still  wanting  $19.39 

Remarks. — The  body  seem  to  be  endeavoring  to  carry 
on  all  the  different  objects  of  christian  labor,  and  have  a  good 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION".  101 

Sabbath  School  report  by  Elder  T.  R.  Gaines,  in  which  it  is 
stated  that  several  of  the  churches  keep  up  flourishing 
schools,  notwithstanding  the  vexatious  troubles  of  the  war, 
yet  as  a  general  thing  there  is  a  great  lack  of  system  in  eve- 
rything, and  demoralization  appears  to  be  engraved  on  all 
the  efforts  of  these  professed  disciples  of  Christ. 

Demise  of  Deacons.— Pacolet  church  reports  the  demise 
•pf  two  of  her  deacons,  James  Spears  and  M.  S.  Kendrick, 
and  Providence  reports  the  loss  of  Deacon  A.  Bonner,  while 
some  forty  other  brethren  are  reported  as  having  fallen  in 
battle  or  sickened  and  died  in  hospitals  or  prisons.  Oh  !  the 
horrors  of  a  cruel,  fratricidal  war! 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  b}r 
Elder.  M,  C.  Baruett,  on  the  subject  of  National  calamities, 
and  is  like  every  thing  else  coming  from  the  pen  of  Bro» 
Barnett — always  timely  and  appropriate. 

The  64th  session  met  at  Antioch  church,  York  county, 
8.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  by  Elder 
Wade  Hill.  Psalms  1.  15.  New  Prospect  and  Buffalo 
churches,  dismissed  from  King's  Mountain  Association,  were 
admitted  into  this  body,  making  a  union  of -32  churches  and 
a  membership  of  3340. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett, 
Moderator,  and  Elder  Wm,  Curtis,  Clerk. 

Salem  church  was  dismissed  to  join  the  Catawba  River 
Association. 

The  usual  committees  on  the  different  objects  of  associ- 
ational  work  were  appointed. 

REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  SENT  TO  STATK  HNE. 

The  committee  appointed  last  year  to  aid  the  State  Line 
church,  was  called  on  for  their  report,  when  Elder  E.  A. 
Crawle}7  as  Chairman  reported  as  follows: 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  Broad  River  Association,  at 
their  meeting  in  1883,  to  aid  the  State  Line  church  in  the  investiga- 
tion of  certain  matters  relating  to  their  discipline,  met  according  to 
appointment  at  State  Line  on  the  loth  of  September,  18G3,  when 
the  following  ministering  brethren  answered  to  tbeir  names  :  E.  A. 
Crawley  and  M.  C.  Barnett;  also  brethren  Edward  Lipscomb.  Wm. 
Austell  and  Elijah  Barnett. 

On  inquiry  made  of  the  church  then  sitting  as  to  what 
matters  they  wished  this  committee  to  investigate,  the  com- 


102  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

mittee  recorded  a  resolution  stating  that  they  received  it 
from  the  statements  now  made  to  them,  to  be  the  wish  of  the 
church  that  they  should  examine  into  the  validity  or  non- 
validity  of  a  certain  letter  of  dismission  obtained  by  D, 
Scruggs  while  there  were  grave  charges  of  immorality  pend- 
ing against  him,  and  twenty-six  members  objected  against 
such  letter  being  granted.  Also  that  they  should  instruct 
the  church  as  to  what  course  to  pursue  with  regard  to  thirty- 
six  members  who,  at  that  time,  also  took  letters  of  dismission 
and  voted  for  the  same  themselves,  notwithstanding  existing 
objections. 

These  matters  having  been  then  by  this  committee  fully 
examined  into,  they  further 

Resolved,  That  the  said  letter  obtained  by  Bro.  Scruggs  is  irreg- 
ular and  invalid,  and  ought  not  to  be  received  by  any  church  as  a 
recommendation  of  the  christian  character  of  Bro.  Scruggs,  and  that 
this  committee  recommend  the  State  Bine  church  to  recall  the  said 
letter  until  action  be  finally  taken  on  the  charges  against  Bro. 
Scruggs,  heretofore  preferred  ;  and  further,  that  in  the  judgment  of 
this  committee,  Bro.  Scruggs  is  accountable  to  the  discipline  of  this 
church  so  soon  as  they  shall  have  given  notice  that  the  said  letter  is 
irregularly  obtained.  And  with  regard  to  the  letters  of  dismission 
granted  at  the  same  time  to  other  members,  the  committee  gave  such 
verbal  advice  to  the  church  as  they  judged  most  desirable  under  the 
circumstances. 

During  these  discussions,  very  clear  and  satisfactory  statements 
were  publicly  made  with  respect  to  the  necessity  of  unanimity  in  a 
church  in  granting  letters  of  dismission  ;  and  the  committee,  though 
greatly  grieved  at  the  necessity  of  their  meeting,  could  not  hut  trust 
that,  under  Divine  Providence,  the  State  Line  church  and  the  cause 
of  God  would  receive  aid  and  benefit  from  their  deliberations  and 
action  on  this  occasion. 

By  order  of  the  committee  the  above  is  respectfully  submitted 
to  the  Broad  River  Association  as  their  report. 

E.  A.  Crawley,  Chairman. 

COMMITTEE  OF  SEVEN. 

On  receiving  the  foregoing  report,  the  body  adopted  the 

following : 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  seven  brethren  be  appointed  to 
report  on  the  painful  case  of  Elder  D.  Scruggs,  as  referred  to  in  the 
letter  of  the  State  Line  church  and  the  report  of  the  above  commit- 
tee, and  that  they  be  requested  to  call  upon  the  councils  who  have 
investigated  the  case,  and  for  such  papers  as  may  put  them  in  full 
possession  of  the  merits  thereof. 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  103 

Under  the  resolution  as  adopted  the  following  brethren 
were  appointed :  A,  M.  Smith,  D.  McCulloeh,  F.  S.  Ram- 
sour,  Jno.  R.  Jefferies,  J.  W.  Montgomery,  E.  McBrayer 
mid  A,  Lancaster,  which  committee  on  Monday  of  the  ses- 
sion reported  that,  having  attended  to  the  business  assigned 
them,  they  recommend  the  following  resolution  for  adoption 
by  the  Association,  as  the  best  way  of  disposing  of  the  case: 

ACTION  OF  THE  BODY  IN  REFERENCE  TO  D.  SCRUGGS  AND  THE  STATE 

LINE   CHURCH. 

Resolved',  That  having  carefully  examined  the  records  of  the 
State  Line  church  as  to  their  dealings  with  Drury  Scruggs,  the  re- 
cords of  the  three  councils  that  have  been  held  at  her  request,  and 
the  evidence  brought  before  them,  as  on  record  and  obtained  from 
the  Moderators  of  the  councils  all  the  information  in  their  power  to 
give,  we  cannot  but  conclude  that  our  sister  church  has  acted  pru- 
dentially  and  according  to  Scripture  rules,  and  that  we  and  sister 
churches  are  bound  to  respect  the  decision  of  the  council  in  deposing 
him  from  the  ministry,  upon  the  charge  of  "the  immorality  of  lewd- 
ness substantiated  against  him,"  and  that  of  the  State  Line  church 
in  excommunicating  him  upon  the  said  charge  of  the  immorality  of 
lewdness  substantiated  in  many  cases,  and  of  refusing  in  any  way  to 
listen  to  his  brethren.  And  inasmuch  as  he  continues  obstinately 
to  refuse  to  submit  to  his  brethren,  and  exercises  in  the  offices  of  the 
ministry  in  the  country  around,  and  has  in  a  printed  circular,  and 
from  the  pulpit,  attacked  our  beloved  brethren  in  the  ministry,  we 
warn  our  brethren  in  sister  churches  of  their  bounden  duty  to  with- 
hold all  fellowship  and  countenance  from  him,  and  to  pray  that  he 
may  see  and  be  led  from  the  error  of  his  way.  And  we  hereby  de- 
clare that  we  are  in  no  way  responsible  for  any  of  his  acts  while  he 
continues  an  excommunicated  member  of  the  State  Line  church. 

Remarks. — It  is  painful  to  the  writer  to  have  these  pro- 
ceedings overhauled  and  embodied  in  a  history  of  the  Broad 
River  Association,  but  Elder  Drury  Scruggs  had  been  prom- 
inently connected  with  the  body  about  thirty-two  years  when 
this  unfortunate  affair  took  place,  and  had  consequently  be- 
come an  important  factor  in  the  associational  history.  He 
had  for  many  years  the  reputation  of  being  a  christian  gen- 
tleman, had  served  the  church  and  the  county  where  he  was 
a  citizen  very  creditably,  and  had  become  a  very  popular 
man.  Eight  different  times  he  was  chosen  by  the  suffrages 
of  his  brethren  to  preside  as  Moderator  over  the  deliberations 
of  the  Association,  and  once  as  its  Clerk.  He  was  a  good 
preacher,  and  to  all  visible  appearance  had  a  good  circum- 
spect walk  and   conversation.     An  able  and  judicious  com- 


104  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION". 

mittee  of  brethren,  however,  after  a  full  and  fair  investiga- 
tion of  the  several  allegations  and  charges  against  him,  say 
he  was  guilty  of  improprieties  of  which  no  christian  should 
be,  much  less  one  who  has  so  long  wore  the  livery  of  a  min- 
ister of  Christ.  Alas!  poor  human  nature,  how  feeble  and 
frail  it  is,  while  under  the  bewitching  and  seducing  influence 
of  the  world,  the  flesh  and  the  devil  1 

While  under  this  baneful  influence  Elder  Scrubs,  jn_ 
stead  of  humbling  himself  at  the  feet  of  his  brethren  and 
imploring  their  clemency  and  forbearance,  and  attempting 
to  show  that  he  was  innocent  and  unjustly  persecuted  and 
maligned,  he  chose  rather  to  show  that  he  was  a  game  man, 
and  published  to  the  world  a  scurrilous  pamphlet,  attacking 
the  private  character  of  those  brethren  who  figured  in  the 
investigation  of  his  case — accusing  them  of  shortcoming 
and  even  crimes  he  was  unable  to  sustain  by  testimony — and 
thus  adding  to  the  catalogue  of  crimes  alleged  against  him 
(that  of  libeler  and  slanderer,)  for  which  he  would  have  been 
forced  by  the  civil  law  of  the  country  to  atone,  had  he  not 
ismominiouslv  fled  without  its  jurisdiction.  Elder  Scru«-o-s 
finding  that  the  charges  preferred  against  him  would  in  all 
probability  be  sustained  by  proper  evidence,  he,  while  in  the 
State  Line  church,. managed  dexterously  through  the  agency 
of  a  party  (on  friendly  terms  with  him)  to  obtain,  in  a  sur- 
reptitious manner,. a  letter  of  dismission,  which  he  used  in 
joining  another  church  which  had  formerly  belonged  to  the 
King's  Mountain  Association,  but  had  with  several  other 
churches  seceded  from  that  body  by  reason  of  a  difference 
of  views  on  the  subject  of  Temperance.  He  remained  and 
preached  for  that  church  (High  Shoals)  until  he  found  it 
would  be  most  advisable  for  him,  under  all  the  circumstances, 
to  vacate ;  he  then  applied  for  a  letter  of  dismission,  and 
obtained  it  as  "being  in  full  fellowship."  With  that  letter 
in  his  pocket,  surreptitiously  obtained,  he  now  palms  himself 
off  on  other  churches  and  communities  around  as  a  minister 
of  Christ — in  fall  fellowship^  and  in  order.  As  to  his  exact 
whereabouts  at  the  time  of  this  writing  we  are  unable  to 
tell,  but  when  last  heard  of  (in  a  Southwestern  State)  he  was 
proclaiming  that  Gospel   he  used  to  profess   to  love  so  well, 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  105 

just  the  same  as  though  he  had  not  been  deposed  by  a  regu- 
lar Baptist  Qouncil,  in  the  church  and  Association  where  his 
labors  were  first  desired.  It"  he  was  unjustly  dealt  with  we 
cannot  blame  him  so  much;  still  we  think  that  everything 
should  be  "done  decently  and  in  order."  "To  his  own  Mas- 
ter now  he  standeth  or  falleth."  He  has  been  disciplined  by 
his  brethren  according  to  the  requirements  of  Scripture.  It" 
it  should  please  God,  through  the  "foolishness"  of  Elder 
Scruggs'  preaching  (although  in  disorder)  to  save  souls,  then 
we  ought  all  to  be  satisfied, — yea!  and  we  will  be  satisfied. 
He  may  be  as  loyal  to  the  Master — yea,  more  so  than  many 
who  as  yet  have  never  been  exposed,  and  who  stand  very 
fair  to  all  human  discernment — but  inwardly  are  ravening 
wolves  in  sheep's  clothing.  Of  this  we  are  unable  to  say  yea 
or  nay,  but  "in  the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses  shall 
every  word  be  established." 

The  following  lines  suggest  themselves  as  being  appro- 
priate in  this  case : 

JUDGE   NOT. 

"Judge  ye  not,"  Oh,  Christian  brother, 

'Tis  the  rock  o'er  which  we  fall  ; 
Rather  "Love  ye  one  another," 

Give  a  helping  hand  to  all. 

If  you  knew  the  cares  and  losses 

Lying  in  your  brother's  path, 
Would  you  add  unto  his  crosses 

One  sharp  word  or  scornful  laugh? 

Who  shall  know  the  weight  of  sorrow 

Pressing  on   his  aching  brow; 
Who  shall  say  that  you  to-morrow 

May  not  be  as  he  is  now  ? 

Who  shall  know  what  stress  of  tempting 

Brought  your  erring  brother  low  ; 
Owe   you   not  your  own  exempting, 

That  you  were  not  tempted  so? 

Could  you  know  how  sore  and  weary 

Are   his  footsteps  and  his  heart, 
You  would  make  them  sure  less  dreary, 

You   would  nobly  take   his  part. 

Else  you'd  fail,  oh,  Christian  brother, 

In   the  golden  ,rule  of  ail— 
Saith  our  Savior,    "Love  each  other,  --n 

SeeK  and  comfort  those  who  falL" 

Judge  not,  therefore,  lest  your  censure, 

Should  return  upon  your  head  ; 
Man  in  judgment  shall  not  venture — 
[  Thus  the  Lord  our  God  hath  said. 

14 


106  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

THE    DOMESTIC  MISSION   BOARD. 

An  opportunity  was  given  Elder  S.  W.  Rogers,  repre- 
senting the  Domestic  Mission  Board,  to  urge  its  claims  upon 
the  attention  of  the  Association.  Elder  T.  R.  Gaines  ap- 
peared in  behalf  of  the  Sabbath  School  Board,  and  Elder 
Jno.  S.  Ezell  addressed  the  body  in  behalf  of  the  "Confede- 
rate Baptist ;"  then  the  organ  of  the  Baptist  denomination 
in  South  Carolina. 

Collection  on  the  Sabbath  for  Bro.  Rogers $393.60 

"  for  Bro.  Rice,  Army  Colportage 424.68 

$818.28 

This  collection  was  in  worthless  or  depreciated  Confed- 
erate money. 

The  1>emise  of  Deacons. — The  committee  on  Obituaries 
report  quite  a  number  of  brethren  who  fell  in  the  war  during 
the  past  year,"  and  we  notice  the  names  of  several  deacons, 
viz  :  William  Ezell,  of  Buck  Creek  church,  May  12,  1864; 
M.  T.  Pope,  of  Macedonia ;  Wm.  Spears,  of  Pacolet,  August 
21,  1864;  William  Moore,  of  Buffalo,  March,  1864. 

The  Missionary  Board  made  no  report  of  operations 
this  year. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Elder  E.  A.  Crawley,  on  the  makiny  of  our  lives  correspond  to 
the  meaning  of  the  ordinance  of  baptism. 

The  session  of  1865  was  held  at  Cedar  Springs  church, 
Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
preached  by  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett,  Heb.  ii.  20.  Churches  in 
union,  32;  membership,  3601.     Baptisms,  348. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  Micajah  C.  Bar- 
nett, Moderator,  and  Elder  Tilman  R.  Gaines,  Clerk. 

Sabbath  Schools. — After  the  reception  of  messengers 
from  corresponding  bodies,  and  the  usual  routine  of  associ- 
ational  business,  the  bod}7  became  ready  to  hear  reports  from 
the  various  committees  on  associational  work.  The  commit- 
tee on  Sabbath  Schools  reported  : 

A  great  increase  in  the  number  of  Sunday  Schools.  Last  year 
our  churches  reported  eleven  Sunday  Schools  ;  this  year  they  have 
reported  twenty-one.  Your  committee  fondly  indulge  the  hope  that 
at  the  next  meeting  of  this  body  all  our  churches  will  report  flour- 
ishing schools.  The  committee  would  recommend  that  the  superin- 
tendents of  our  Sunday  Schools  send  up  to  our  next  Association  a 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  107 

statistical  account  of  each  school,  giving  the  number  of  teachers, 
scholars  and  volumes  in  library.  Address  Dr.  John  A.  Broadus, 
Greenville,  S.  C,  for  Sunday  School  books.  ♦ 

H.  G.  Gaffney,  Chairman. 

VOLUNTARY    MISSIONARY   LABOR. 

Whereas,  T.  R.  Gaines  and  T.  J.  Campbell  have  volunteered 
to  labor  with  our  churches  in  the  Sunday  School  cause, 

Resolved,  That  we  gratefully  accept  of  their  kind  jjroffer,  and 
recommend  them  to  the  churches. 

THE  BOARD   DISPENSED  WITH. 

The  committee  to  nominate  a  Missionary  Board,  recom- 
mended that  such  a  board  be  dispensed  with  the  coming 
year,  which  was  agreed  to  by  the  body. 

The  committee  on  Obituaries  report  the  names  of  seve- 
ral brethren  who  have  died  from  wounds  or  other  causes 
during  the  past  year,  among  whom  we  notice  the  demise  of 
Bro.  Joseph  Guiton,  who  had  been  a  deacon  for  forty  years 
of  El  Bethel  church.  Union  church  lost  L.  Ferguson,  one 
of  their  deacons. 

THE  OLDEST   CHURCH   IN    THE   ASSOCIATION. 

The  Friendship  church  reports  her  organization  to  be 
one  hundred  years  old.  This  is  the  oldest  church  in  this 
Association.  JSTot  a  member  yet  survives  who  was  living  at 
the  time  of  its  organization. 

The  foregoing  statement,  taken  from  the  Minutes  of 
this  session,  is  probably  correct.  Friendship  church  then  is 
one  hundred  and  seventeen  years  old  on  this  present  year  of 
1882.  The  church  was  consequently  organized  in  the  year 
1 765,  and  rightly  stands  first  on  the  list  of  churches  which, 
by  reference  to  the  Minutes  of  the  body  it  will  appear  it  has 
done  from  the  organization  of  the  Broad  River  Association 
up. to  the  year  1816,  when  by  some  means  Buffalo  wras  placed 
at  the  head  of  the  column,  and  Friendship  made  No.  3.  We 
are  at  a  loss  to  know  why  the  change  was  made.  We  have 
endeavored  to  give  the  true  dates  of  each  constitution,  and 
hope  we  have  been  successful  in  our  efforts. 

Correspondence. — The  committee  on  Associational  Cor- 
respondence reports  very  properly  as  follows  : 

We  regret  to  see  the  interest  formerly  manifested  by  associations 
in  reference  to  correspondence,  declining.  The  result  is  that  being 
less  informed,  we  are  also  less  interested  in  each  other's  prosperity  ; 
consequently  the  great  family  of  Baptist  churches  are  becoming  more 


108  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

or  less  estranged  from  one  another.  This  year,  however,  we  have 
been  greatly  refreshed  by  the  presence  and  labors  of  corresponding 
brethren.  How  pleasant  and  delightful  for  brethren  thus  to  meet 
and  labor  together  for  the  advancement  of  the  Kingdom  of  our  com- 
mon Lord.  May  the  Spirit  of  our  Redeemer  pervade  all  our  churches, 
and  peace,  harmony  and  love  be  their  character  upon  earth,  and 
may  the  saints  be  the  better  prepared  to  enter  upon  that  state  of  eter- 
nal felicity  which  awaits  all  the  finally  faithful. 

Jno.  S.  Ezell,,  Chairman. 

The  Circular  Letter  was  prepared  by  Elder  M.  C.  Bar- 
nett.  on  the  importance  of  Sunday  Schools  to  our  churches,  and 
the  best  method  of  conducting  them. 

The  66th  session  met  at  El  Bethel  church,  Union  coun- 
ty, S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  by  Elder 
Tilman  R.  Gaines,  Rom.  i.  18.  The  Yorkville  church  was 
admitted  into  the  union  at  this  session.  The  union  consists 
of  33  churches  ;  membership,  3533. 

Re-elected  Elders  M.  C.  Barnett,  Moderator,  and  Tilman 
R.  Gaines,  Clerk. 

Distinguished  Visitors. — Several  messengers  from  other 
associations  were  received,  viz  :  Elders  J.  0.  B.  Dargan, 
D.  D.,  Thos.  Smith,  W.  D.  Beverly,  W.  D.  Lancaster,  A. 
Padgett  and  others.  Dr.  Dargan  appeared  as  the  special 
agent  of  the-*  executive  board  of  the  State  Convention  of  the 
Baptist  denomination  in  South  Carolina,  and  made  an  ear- 
nest and  feeling  appeal  in  behalf  of  the  Board. 

CHANGE    IN    THE    ACTION    OF    STATE    CONVENTION. 

The  committee  appointed  to  examine  into  and  report 
upon  the  action  of  the  Baptist  State  Convention,  as  to  its 
recent  modification  of  its  action  for  the  future  welfare  of  our 
churches  and  denomination  within  its  bounds,  under  the 
late  revision  of  its  constitution,  submitted  the  following  re- 
port : 

That  they  gather  from  all  that  is  before  them,  the  especial  objects 
now  attempted,  are  first,  the  uniting  of  all  the  Associations  of  our 
State  more  fully  in  acquaintance  with  each  other;  and  secondly, 
that  they  shall  co-operate  in  their  duties  among  the  churches,  and 
to  those  within  oar  hounds  destitute  of  Baptist  preaching.  There 
are  comprised  in  these  objects  Domestic  or  State  Missions,  in  which 
as  now  carried  on  by  your  associations  the  Convention  desires,  with 
their  permission,  to  aid  so  far  as  they  may  be  able  the  education  of 
pious  men,  approved  by  the  churches  for  and  in  the  ministry  :  Bible 
distribution  and  colporlage,  the  interests  of  Sabbath  Schools,  Foreign 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  109 

Missions,  and  the  supervision  of  the  Fumian  University.  It  is  the 
first  of  t  hese  to  which  at  present  the  Convention  desires  to  call  our 
attention  and  assistance  as  most  readily  uniting  the  brethren  in  the 
State  as  one  Baptist  family.  It  is  not  at  all  desired  to  interfere  with 
the  present  action*) f  each  Association  as  to  its  own  missionary  work. 
On  the  contrary,  the  Convention,  through  the  Executive  Board  and 
Agent,  will  take  pleasure  in  adopting  as  their  own  such  plans  and 
appointments  as  are  reported  to  them,  and  supplement  them  when 
necessary  and  it  is  practicable  to  do  so.  The  Executive  Board  of  the 
Convention  wish  only  to  regard  each  associational  board  as  a  sub- 
agent  of  its  own  appointment,  judging  and  acting  on  the  spot  as  to 
the  wants  and  supplies  in  its  own  neighborhood.  They  request, 
therefore,  that  the  report  of  each  board  be  also  made  to  them,  to 
show  what  is  done  by  all  our  brethren  in  the  State.  As  to  moneys, 
it  is  desired  that  such  amount  as  may  be  thought  proper  be  sent  di- 
rect to  the  Executive  Board  of  the  State  for  such  appropriation  as 
they  may  deem  best,  and  that  the  rest  be  appropriated  by  the  local 
boards  to  the  support  of  such  work  or  mission  as  they  may  think 
best. 

Your  committee  further  report  the  following  resolutions  for 
adoption  by  the  Association,  and  desire  that  the  resolution  presented 
by  this  committee  and  passed  by  this  body  on  Saturday,  be  referred 
to  as  a  part  of  this  report: 

1st  Resolved,  That  this  Association  greatly  desires  to  see  a  perfect 
union  and  co-operation  among  the  Baptist  associations  and  churches 
throughout  the  State,  and  trust  that  the  recent  action  of  the  Baptist 
State  Convention  will  tend  to  this  result. 

2nd  Resolved,  That  a  Board,  consisting  of  Elders  Wm.  Curtis, 
B.  Bonner,  J.  S.  Ezell,  brethren  H.  G.  Gafiney  and  John  Byars— to 
be  known  as  the  Executive  Board  of  Missions — be  appointed,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  look  out  the  destitution  within  the  bounds  of  this 
Association,  to  employ  a  Missionary  to  preach  in  our  destitute  places, 
and  to  build  up  Sabbath  Schools. 

3rd  Resolved,  That  this  Board  be  empowered  to  receive  and  dis" 
burse  all  money  raised  by  the  churches  and  Sabbath  Schools  for  Mis- 
sionary purposes. 

4th  Resolved,  That  this  Association  will  unite  for  this  year  in 
their  Domestic  Missionary  operations  with  the  Executive  Board  of 
the  Baptist  State  Convention,  so  far  as  our  Missionary  Board  may 
find  to  be  practicable,  and  they  are  directed  hereby  so  to  report  to 
that  Board — to  which  also,  a  full  report  of  its  operations,  together 
with  a  correct  statistical  account  of  the  churches  and  Sabbath  Schools 
in  the  Association  shall  be  made  as  may  be  required. 

5th  Resolved,  Also  that  the  pastor  of  each  church  be  requested 
to  preach  Missionary  sermons  in  behalf  of  missions,  explaining  the 
work  of  our  boards,  and  that  each  church  take  up  collections  and 
send  the  contributions  to  the  Executive  Board  of  the  Association. 
All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

Wm.  Curtis,  Chairman. 


210  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Remarks. — During  the  existence  of  the  war,  so  great 
was  the  demoralization  or  rather  subversion  of  all  plans  of 
missionary  operations,  that  a  remodeling  of  measures  was- 
absolutely  necessary.  The  Associational  Board  had  ceased 
to  do  anything,  and  only  existed  in  name  without  any  means, 
whatsoever.  Indeed  we  find  in  tracing  its  history  from  year 
to  year  it  never  did  accomplish  much,  and  hence  the  propri- 
ety of  amalgamating  its  work  with  that  of  the  State  Conven- 
tion, "every  little  helps."  And  it  is  better  that  the  Associa- 
tion become  an  auxiliary  member  of  the  convention  than  to 
attempt  to  run  missionary  operations  upon  our  own  hook 
and  accomplish  but  little.  The  scheme  put  on  foot  at  this 
session  was  certainly  the  best  that  could  be  adopted  at  the 
present  juncture  of  time,  and  it  was  either  that  or  the  aban- 
donment of  the  State  Mission  report. 

We  have  thought  a  good  deal  in  reference  to  State  Mis- 
sions, and  hardly  know  how  to  arrive  at  a  proper  conclusion. 
The  animus  of  State  Missions  from  a  Baptist  standpoint,  as 
we  understand  it,  is  the  propagation  of  the  Gospel  as  under- 
stood by  Baptists  in  sections  of  the  country  occupied  by  other 
denominations  of  Christians,  under  the  impression  that  Bap- 
tists alone  have  the  pure,  unadulterated  Gospel  intrusted  to 
them;  and  that  the  other  denominations  although  pious 
Christians,  and  orthodox  in  the  generally  received  faith  of 
the  Bible — heterodox  only  in  reference  to  ordinances  which 
they  unfortunately  brought  with  them  from  popery  in  the 
time  of  the  reformation — must  yet  be  instructed  as  though 
they  had  never  heard  the  Gospel  preached  at  all.  Now,  we 
concur  with  our  brethren  as  to  the  irregularities  of  Pedo- 
Baptists,  but  at  the  same  time  we  believe  that  we  are  not 
responsible  for  these  defects  in  their  faith.  The  Master  has 
suffered  it,  and  appears  to  be  blessing  their  labors  in  the 
evangelization  ot  the  world,  and  we  recognize  them  as  good 
Christians  of  exemplary  piety,  zealous  of  good  works, — and 
they  are  as  zealous,  too,  as  Baptists  can  be,  in  endeavoring 
to  propagate  their  own  peculiar  tenets.  Their  young  people 
are  carefully  tutored  and  drilled  in  their  churches  and  Sab- 
bath schools,  and  this  being  the  case,  it  is  natural  to  expect 
that  they  will  walk   in   the   foot-prints  of  their  parents  and 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  Ill 

teachers  as  long  probably  as  time  lasts.  Family  training  has 
itn  immense  influence  either  for  good  or  evil.  Why  then 
make  efforts  to  proselyte  ?  Let  well  enough  alone.  It  is 
very  seldom  that  even  an  eloquent  Apollos  representing  any 
other  sect  of  professing  christians  could  be  found  able  to 
shake  the  faith  imbibed  by  such  as  have  been  thus  instructed 
and  trained  in  childhood. 

Why  then  this  great  ado  in  raising  funds  to  send  the 
Gospel  where  it  is  evidently  an  impossibility  to  make  an  im- 
pression ?  Our  Missionaries  are  frequently  weak,  uneduca- 
ted men,  and  sometimes  taunted  and  jeered  as  ignoramuses 
by  those  who  go  out  to  hear  them.  If  we  attempt  to  con- 
vince Pedo-Baptists  of  their  errors  and  irregularities,  we 
ought,  to  send  out  as  Missionaries  the  most  talented,  refined 
and  thoroughly  educated  ministers  we  have  in  our  ranks — - 
men  that  could  stop  the  mouths  of  gainsayers,  and  put  to  flight 
those  who  attempt  to  reason  against  the  Truth  from  false  and 
unphilosophical  premises.  We,  however,  may  be  wrong  in 
our  conclusions  which,  if  so,  we  very  much  regret;  but  as 
we  have  been  a  long  time  a  careful  observer  of  men  and 
measures,  we  are  unable  to  arrive  at  a  different  conclusion. 
This  is  not  properly  an  age  of  miracles  :  we  have  to  study  to 
learn  some  things  now,  that  in  the  Apostolic  age  seemed  to 
be  intuitively  or  miraculously  communicated.  We  are  told 
by  some  good  brethren  that  a  very  weak  and  uneducated 
minister,  endued  with  the  Spirit  (as  is  generally  alleged  such 
an  one,)  can  accomplish  much  more  than  a  polished  shaft  in  the 
quiver  of  the  Lord.  We  don't  exactly  know  how  that  is, 
but  we  are  inclined  (reverently  of  course)  to  think  sometimes 
as  Napoleon  Bonaparte  is  said  once  to  have  expressed  him- 
self, "that  Providence  generally  favors  the  heaviest  artillery." 

NOTICE  OF  THE  DEMISE  OF  SEVERAL  GOOD  BRETHREN. 

The  committee  on  Obituaries  reported  as  follows : 
By  looking  over  the  different  church  letters  we  find  that  thirty- 
nine  deaths  have  occurred  during  our  last  associational  year.  Several 
of  our  churches  have  lost  leading-  members.  We  deeply  sympathize 
with  the  El  Bethel  church,  in  the  loss  of  her  highly  esteemed  and 
very  useful  brother,  Col.  James  Jefferies  ;  and  with  the  Rutherford- 
ton  church,  in  the  death  of  her  beloved  brother  and  deacon,  Toliver 
Davis;  and  with  the  State  Line  church,  in  the  loss  of  Deacon  Philip 
Watkins  ;  and  also  with  the  Shelby  church,  in  the  death  of  Deacon 


112  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

William  Roberts,  who  was  a  model  of  piety  and  good  works.  We 
must  say  that  these  churches  have  sustained  a  great  loss  in  the  death 
of  these  brethren  ;  but  we  hope  our  loss  is  their  eternal  gain. 

T.  Dixon,  Chairman. 

REPORT    OF    STATE    CONVENTION    ON    COLORED    PEOPLE. 

The  war  between  the  States  having  closed,  and  recon- 
struction now  going  on  by  the  general  government,  to  meet 
the  peculiar  wants  and  necessities  of  both  the  white  and  col- 
ored races  in  their  present  anomalous  condition,  as  well  re- 
ligiously as  civilly  and  politically,  a  committee  had  been 
appointed  on  Colored  People,  of  which  Elder  J.  C.  Barge 
was  Chairman,  who  reported  :  That  after  some  deliberation 
on  the  subject,  they  recommended  the  adoption  by  the  Asso- 
ciation of  the  report  of  the  committee  on  "the  instruction 
of  the  colored  people,"  passed  by  the  Baptist  State  Conven- 
tion at  its  last  session,  which  was  as  follows : 

The  committee  on  the  Instruction  of  the  Colored  People  beg 
leave  to  report  that  they  have  given  the  subject  the  most  serious  con- 
sideration, and  only  regret  that  they  cannot  perform  the  duty  de- 
volved upon  them  by  the  Convention  in  a  manner  more  satisfactory 
to  themselves.  They  are  compelled,  with  little  experience,  to  speak 
upon  a  point,  the  solution  of  which  requires  much  experience. 

The  churches  of  our  State,  as  well  as  the  whole  South,  rind  them- 
selves unexpectedly  in  the  midst  of  the  greatest  social  changes 
which  the  history  of  the  world  presents.  While  Rome,  in  theplen- 
titude  of  her  power,  judged  it  for  the  public  safety  to  restrain  within 
certain  limits  the  exercise  by  her  citizens  of  the  right  to  emancipate 
their  slaves,  and  thus  allowed  this  work  to  go  on  by  degrees,  in  our 
land  the  fearful  experiment  of  emancipation  has  been  made  on  the 
broadest  scale,  and  with  the  suddenness  and  violence  of  an  earth- 
quake. The  work  thus  done— whether  just  or  unjust,  whether  wise 
or  foolish — is  finally  done.  No  Southern  man  dreams  of  a  reversal 
of  this  act  of  the  government.  To  us,  as  good  citizens  and  christ- 
ians, the  only  questions  left  are,  What  are  the  duties  which  arise  out 
of  our  changed  relations,  and  how  may  we  best  perform  them  f  To 
one  class  of  these  duties  the  attention  of  the  Convention  has  been 
called  by  the  resolution  under  which  your  committee  was  appointed, 
viz  :  Our  obligation  in  regard  to  the  instruction  of  the  colored  people. 
In  the  times  gone  by  that  duty  was  recognized  and  acted  upon  im- 
perfectly indeed,  as  all  religious  duty  is,  in  the  hands  of  imperfect 
man,  and  under  certain  disadvantages.  These  disadvantages  arose 
from  laws  in  our  State,  at  least,  which  prohibited  all  but  oral  instruc- 
tion, and  which  were  intended  to  prevent  the  danger  that  might 
spring  from  inflammatory  publications,  which  fanatical  zeal  was 
aiming  to  circulate  among  the  slave  population  of  the  South.  These 
laws  were,  in  fact,   disapproved  by  many  of  the  best  people  of  the 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  113 

State,  as  being  unwise  in  policy  and  liable  to  still  more  serious  objec- 
tions :  yet,  with  the  law-abiding  spirit  of  our  people,  they  had  tbe 
effect  of  diminishing  the  amount  of  instruction  in  letters  which  the 
colored  people  had  received,  and  which  they  would  have  continued 
to  receive.  Still  many  slaves  did  learn  to  read,  and  their  instruction 
of  each  other  and  sometimes  by  the  children  of  the  family,  was  not 
unfrequently  winked  at  by  their  masters  who,  but  for  the  law,  would 
themselves  have  instructed  or  wuuld  have  encouraged  their  children 
to  instruct  the  blacks. 

As  matters  now  stand,  no  legal  instructions  now  lie  in  the  way 
of  teaching  the  colored  people  ;  and  it  is  a  plain  duty  of  christians 
to  make  efforts  or  to  foster  ami  encourage  efforts  made  to  enable  the 
colored  people  to  read,  especially  that  they  may  read  that  blessed 
Book  whose  truths,  understood  and  practiced,  constitute  the  only 
sure  basis  of  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  society  as  they  do  of  the 
true  welfare,  present  and  future,  of  the  individual  man. 

In  almost  every  family,  and  upon  farms  and  plantations  gene- 
rally, something  can  be  done  to  teach  the  younger  negroes  and  such 
of  the  older  ones  as  may  be  willing  to  learn.  The  performance  of 
this  labor,  as  a  gratuity,  by  the  former  owners  of  the  freed  people  or 
by  the  junior  members  of  the  families,  would  greatly  tend  to  restore 
the  confidence  once  felt  by  the  slaves  in  their  masters.  We  say  the 
former  confidence,  for  in  many  instances  it  has  been  apparent  that, 
as  in  the  case  of  the  christian  of  Golatia  and  the  Apostle  Paul,  a  rude 
shock  has  been  given  to  the  previously  existing  confidence  by  the 
perverting  instructions  of  persons  claiming  indeed  to  be  the  special 
•friends  of  the  negro,  but  with  no  professed  love  for  the  Southern 
white  man,  and  with  little  real  love  for  the  black. 

In  many  cases  this  impression,  we  have  reason  to  know,  has,  in 
a  good  degree,  been  corrected.  Justice  and  kindness  exercised  to- 
ward the  blacks  in  their  new  relations  have  so  far  served  to  dispel  a 
mischievous  delusion.  To  restore  that  confidence  between  the  em- 
ployed and  their  employers,  which  is  so  necessary  to  public  quiet 
and  domestic  peace,  few  things  would  operate  more  powerfully  than 
a  cordial  readiness  to  aid  them  in  gaining  theadvantage  to  be  derived 
from  the  knowledge  of  letters 

As  to  the  particular  modes  in  which  instruction  may  be  impart- 
ed to  them,  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say  anything.  Of  course  the 
colored  Sunday  school  will  prove  a  valuable  instrument  tor  accom- 
plishing this  work  ;  as  to  other  schools  and  the  methods  of  impart- 
ing instruction,  the  circumstances  of  each  case  will  have  to  be  con- 
sidered in  determining  the  best  mode  :  only  let  wmat  is  done  be  done 
in  such  a  manner  as  will  enable  the  pupil  to  learn,  and  then  let  the 
Scriptures  be  put  into  his  hands.  Let  the  New  Testament  be  made 
a  text-book,  and  then  while  the  learner  feels  that  he  is  enjoying  lib- 
erty in  one  of  its  highest  forms  he  will  also  be  learning  to  use  that 
liberty  as  not  to  abuse  it. 

But  much  of  the  instruction  of  the  blacks,  as  of  the  whites,  em- 
euates  from  the  pulpit,  and  therefore  the  question  before  us  involves 
the  consideration  of  the  future  church  relations  of  the  colored  people. 
15 


1.14  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

There  is  reason  to  believe  that  in  certain  localities  and  under 
certain  circumstances  they  will  prefer  to  be  organized  into  separate 
churches.  Where  this  is  strongly  felt,  and  there  is  any  probability 
of  their  being  able  to  maintain  public  worship  among  themselves,  it 
seems  to  your  committee  the  better  plan  to  give  them  letters  of  dis- 
mission, to  aid  them  in  forming  churches  of  their  own,  and  then  to 
assist  them,  either  by  allowing  them  the  use  of  the  house  of  warship 
or  helping  them  to  build.  In  churches  thus  formed  there  would 
often  exist  a  need  for  aid  in  keeping  their  records,  and  this  service 
kindly  rendered  to  them  by  a  white  brother  would  doubtless  be  ap- 
preciated by  them.  In  like  manner  they  might  be  induced,  in  thus 
setting  up  for  themselves,  to  seek  the  services  of  white  ministers. 
We  do  not. see  why,  in  the  same  neighborhood — oftentimes  at  the 
same  house  of  worship — there  might  not  be  two  churches  (one  white 
and  one  colored,)  having  the  same  ministerial  supply,  but  each  one 
transacting  its  business  independently.  Unless  some  such  arrange- 
ment as  this  be  made,  it  is  to  be  apprehended  that  the  colored  people 
will  suffer  greatly  ;  for  there  are  very  few  of  the  colored  men  who 
are  received  as  preachers  from  whom  any  but  meagre  religious  in- 
structions can  be  obtained.  Should  any  of  these  become  infected 
with  a  fanatical  and  disorganizing  spirit,  it  is  easy  to  see  how  much 
they  might  mislead  their  class,  and  of  what  wide-spread  mischief 
they  might  become  the  authors. 

In  other  cases  it  may  be  found  that  the  colored  members  of  our 
churches  will  prefer  to  go  on  as  they  are.    In  such  cases  there  would 
be  a  manifest  propriety  in  allowing  things  to  proceed  in  their  cus- 
tomary channel  until  such  time  as  they,  themselves  shall,  of  their  ■ 
own  accord,  seek  separation  and  a  distinct  organization. 

Should  colored  churches  be  thus  formed  it  will  be  very  impor- 
tant to  have  the  minds  of  their  members  impressed  with  the  neces- 
sity of  guarding  against  the  hasty  admission  of  members,  and 
especially  against  the  introduction  of  incompetent  and  otherwise 
unsuitable  men  into  the  ministry.  Let  them  be  taught  the  qualifi- 
cations for  the  sacred  office,  authoritatively  laid  down  in  the  .word 
of  God,  and  induced  to  secure  the  counsel  of  judicious  white  breth- 
ren in  deciding  upon  the  claims  of  such  as  may  seek  licensure  or 
ordination.  It  has  sometimes  been  done  that  colored  men,  licensed 
by  their  churches  to  preach,  have  derived  great  advantage  from 
occasional  instruction  afforded  them  by  neighboring  pastors.  The 
same  thing  may  be  profitably  repeated  in  our  present  circumstances. 

Your  committee  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  1st,  That  in  our  present  circumstances  there  seems  to 
be  no  one  special  plan  for  the  general  instruction  of  the  colored  peo- 
ple which  can  confidently  be  pronounced  the  best,  and  that  each  case 
must  be  decided  upon  its  own  merits. 

Resolved,  2d,  That  where  the  colored  people  prefer  to  remain  in 
their  present  church  connexions,  it  will  be  better  for  them  so  to  do; 
provided,  they  studiously  avoid  occasions  of  irritation  and  offence. 

Resolved,  3d,  That  where  the  colored   members  become  restive 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  115 

from  the  continuance  of  such  relations,  it  will  be  wise  regularly  to 
dismiss  them  for  the  constitution  of  separate  churches,  to  aid  them 
by  kind  counsels,  and  as  far  as  practicable  other  means,  and  to  per- 
suade them  to  secure  for  themselves  the  benefits  of  an  intelligent 
ministry. 

Resolved,  4th,  That  colored  Sunday  schools  which  have  for  many 
years  been  conducted  in  some  parts  of  the  South  ought,  in  the  opin- 
ion of  the  committee,  to  be  established  Wherever  it  is  practicable; 
and  that  it  is  a  worthy  christian  work  for  white  brethren  and  sisters 
to  engage  in  the  conduct  and  instruction  of  such  Sunday  schools. 

J.  C.  Furman,  Chairman. 

Remarks. — The  social  changes  produced  by  the  war 
being  of  a  character  so  extraordinary,  and  presenting  as  they 
did  so  many  difficulties  in  regard  to  the  proper  course  of 
religious  instruction  on  the  part  of  the  churches  toward  the 
black  race,  we  thought  it  advisable  and  proper  to  give  the 
able  report  of  the  State  Convention,  which  seemed  to  meet 
the  approbation  of  the  Broad  River  Association,  and  was 
consequently  adopted  by  that  bodj\  The  Convention  at  that 
time  "could  only  shoot  a  bow  at  a  venture,"  not  knowing 
fully  what  course  the  colored  people  would  prefer  to  take. 
It  was  however  soon  found  out  that  "Sambo"  would  hearken 
to  the  advice  of  the  fanatical  Carpet-bagger  of  the  North 
much  quicker  than  he  would  to  those  who  had  of  long  stand- 
ing been  his  spiritual  advisers  at  the  South.  The  Carpet- 
bagger, immediately  after  peace  wras  made,  proceeded  on  his 
errand  of  mercy  to  visit  the  "man  and  brother"  that  had  so 
long  been  bound  with  the  shackles  and  fetters  of  slavery. 
Having  found  him,  he  ate  with  him,  drank  with  him,  per- 
suaded him,  and  told  him  that  those,  and  only  those,  who 
struggled  to  liberate  him  were  his  true  friends,  and  ho  oth- 
ers, and  especially  those  who  once  held  him  in  servitude 
could  not  be  trusted  as  counselors.  He  must  ignore  all  the 
kind  proffers  made  by  those  who  once  controlled  his  labor ; 
that  such  "hollow-hearted  hypocrites"  only  awaited  an  op- 
portunity to  "put  him  back  in  the  rice  swamps  and  cotton 
fields  as  a  laboring  slave."  It  is  very  natural  that  a  poor, 
uncultured  darkey,  operated  on  in  this  way,  would  soon 
imbibe  strong  prejudices  against  those  who  were  really  his 
best  friends,  but  he  was  too  much  blinded  and  stupid  to  see  it. 

The  sequel  has  shown  the  course  preferred  by  the  col- 


116  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

ored  people.  They  prefer  to  have  their  own  church  and 
associational  organizations,  and  we  concur  fully  with  them 
in  that.  As  social  equality  is  never  once  to  be  thought  of, 
much  less  desired,  it  is  certainly  the  best  for  them  and  the 
white  race  also  to  have  their  separate  organizations.  It  is  a 
commendable  thing,  however/for  the  white  race  to  aid  them 
in  the  establishment  of  schools  of  a  high  order  for  the  train- 
ing  of  ministers  to  lead  them  from  the  sinks  of  superstition 
and  fanaticism,  which  we  are  glad  to  see  is  being  done.  We 
hope  to  see  a  continuance  of  the  good  work,  and  a  corre- 
sponding improvement  of  the  colored  race,  until  it  will  no 
longer  be  said  that  "negro  meetings  are  nuisances."  This 
will  be  soonest  done  by  educating  the  negro  race  to  meet 
the  requirements  of  the  times.  In  some  localities  we  are 
glad  to  see  it  has  been  done,  and  we  take  that  as  prima  facie 
evidence  it  can  be  done  generally  if  the  proper  impetus  is 
given. 

Correspondence. — As  the  committee  on  Correspond- 
ence reported  much  to  our  notion  about  some  things,  we 
therefore,  hoping  it  may  have  a  good  effect  on  the  reader, 
give  it  in  this  work  entire. 

The  committee  on  Correspondence  beg  leave  to  report  that  noth- 
ing of  special  importance  appears  demanding  the  attention  of  this 
committee.  We  are  happy  to  learn  that  some  of  the  churches  in  the 
Association  have  enjoyed  precious  seasons  of  refreshing  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord  since  the  last  meeting  of  the  body.  Most  of 
the  churches  have  Sunday  schools,  some  of  which  are  characterized 
by  an  interest  partly  proportionate  to  the  great  importance  of  the 
Sunday  school  cause.  Let  us  encourage  Sunday  schools,  not  only 
on  account  of  the  salutary  influence  they  are  calculated  to  exert  on 
the  communities  in  which  they  are  located,  but  also  as  one  great 
means  of  replenishing  our  churches  with  young,  pious  and  energetic 
members. 

The  practice  of  dancing,  playing  and  indulging  in  worldly 
amusements  generally,  by  members  of  our  churches,  has  become  a 
most  serious  evil,  demanding  the  prompt  and  decided  action  of  all 
our  churches.  Those  who  indulge  in  these  practices  not  only  prove 
themselves  devoid  of  spirituality,  but  they  exert  an  influence  upon 
the  world  detrimental  to  the  cause  of  Christ  and  the  salvation  of 
immortal  souls.  With  reference  to  this  matter  we  submit  an  answer 
to  a  query  in  the  Welch  Neck  Association  :  "Is  it  wrong  for  Church 
members  to  dance?"  Our  unhesitating  reply  is,  that  it  is  wrong. 
For  although  the  Bible  is  silent  as  to  direct  precept  on  this  and  other 
frivolous  amusements  of  a  kindred  character,  yet  the  plain  and  un- 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  117 

v 

mistakable  influence  of  all  its  requisitions  and  maxims  in  regard  to 
forsaking  all  for  Christ,  the  duty  of  watchfulness,  spiritual  minded- 
ness,  growth  in  grace  and  the  acquisition  of  the  higher  attainments 
in  the  christian  life,  as  well  as  those  injunctions  to  avoid  the  appear- 
ance of  evil,  conformity  to  the  world,  and  any  departure  from  a  fixed 
and  inflexible  adherence  to  the  Truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  do  plainly  in- 
dicate and  emphatically  admonish  that  promiscuous  dancing,  card' 
playing,  theatre-going,  and  all  the  vain  and  senseless  amusements 
attractive  and  enticing  to  the  young  and  unwary  ;  and  so  evil  in  all 
their  tendencies  and  influences  are  wholly  opposed  to  lhat  gravity 
of  mind,  that  dignity  of  character  and  consistent  religious  profession 
which  should  characterize  the  disciple  of  Christ.  All  of  which  is 
respectfully  submitted.  J.  S.  Ezell,  Chairman, 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Elder  M.  C.  Barnett,  on  the  subject  of  Revivals  of  Religion. 

The  67th  session  was  held  at  Buffalo  church,  York 
county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  by 
Eider  M.  C.  Barnett*  There  were  33  churches  in  the  union, 
with  a  membership  of  3527. 

The  body  organized  with  M.  C.  Barnett,  Moderator, 
and  Bro.  R.  E.  Porter,  Clerk. 

ORDINATION    OF   L.    C.    EZELL. 

After  the  appointment  of  the  usual  committees  on  the 
business  of  the  Association,  they  received  and  granted 
a  petition  from  the  Shelby  church,  that  the  body  ap- 
point a  presbytery  to  examine  Brother  L.  C.  Ezell,  a 
member  of  said  church,  and,  if  found  qualified,  ordain 
him  to  the  Gospel  ministry.  In  conformity  to  said 
petition  the  Association  appointed  Elders  T.  B.  Justice,  B. 
Bonner,  R.  P.  Logan,  P.  R.  Elam  and  Wra.  Curtis,  who 
proceeded  to  examine  and  ordain  Bro.  L.  C.  Ezell,  as  re- 
quested. 

The  ordination  of  Elder  Ezell  was  not  intended  as  a 
new  departure  from  old  usages.  It  was  a  matter  of  conve- 
nience, as  quite  a  number  of  ministers  would  easily  be  found 
at  the  Association,  and  a  good  selection  to  make  an  able 
presbytery  could  soon  be  made.  While  it  is  conceded  by  all 
Baptists  that  the  church  holding  the  membership  of  the  can- 
didate for  the  ministry  has  exclusive  original  jurisdiction  of 
the  case,  and  only  asks  the  Association,  through  courtesy, 
to  appoint  the  members  of  the  presbytery  without  intending 
to  recognize  any  inherent  right  of  the  body  to  exercise  juris- 


118  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION, 

diction  only  by  the  consent  of  the  church  petitioning'.  AD 
Baptist  churches  are  independent  sovereignties,  while  the 
associations  are  only  the  agents  of  the  churches — created  by 
them  for  specific  purposes,  as  defined  in  the  Associational 
Constitutions.  It  is  said  that  Mr.  Jefferson,  the  great  apos- 
tle of  American  liberty,  got  his  ideas  of  a  purely  democratic 
system  of  government  from  the  working  machinery  of  a 
Baptist  church  near  Monticello,  where  he  lived,  and  we  do 
not  doubt  it,  for  the  resemblance  is  very  great. 

HISTORY  OF    THE  ASSOCIATION, 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted  : 
Resolved,  That  the  subject  of  the  next  Circular  Letter  be:  "7%e 
History,  rise  and  progress  of  the  Broad  River  Association  and 
churches  composing  the  same,  with  a  short  biographical  sketch  of  the 
ministers  that  may  have  belonged  to  that  body. 

Select  Committee. — The  following  five  brethren  were 
then  appointed  to  compile  all  the  information  they  may  be 
able  to  get  bearing  upon  the  history  of  this  body,  their  own 
church,  and  of  any  prominent  minister  or  deacon  who  may 
have  been  connected  with  them,  to- wit :  Elder  Wm.  Curtis, 
L.L.  1).,  of  Limestone  Springs ;  Bro.  Robert  "White,  of  Cedar 
Springs;  Bro.  Abraham  Hardin,  of  Antioch;  Elder  Til  man 
R.  Gaines,  of  Yorkville,  and  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett,  of  Shelby. 

The  following  brethren  were  also  appointed  from  the 
different  churches  to  collect  and  furnish  historical  facts  con- 
cerning their  respective  churches,  viz  :  Friendship,  A.  Smith; 
Cedar  Springs,  Robert  White;  Buck  Creek,  James  Ezell ; 
Providence,  J.  R.  Ellis ;  El  Bethel,  A.  S.  Goudelock ;  Goucher 
Creek,  Edward  Lipscomb ;  Antioch,  A.  Hardin;  Philadel- 
phia, D.  H.  Smith  ;  Macedonia,  John  Byars ;  Bethesda,  R.  C. 
Poole;  Camp's  Creek,  E.  A.  Byars;  State  Line,  K.  C.  Wat- 
kins;  Mount  Ararat,  I.  Pealer ;  Zion  Hill,  John  Epton  ; 
Corinth,  A.  McPherson  ;  Capernaum,  L.  Gardner;  Sulphur 
Springs,  M.  West;  Unity,  E.  McSwain ;  Upper  Fair  Forest, 
J.  P.  Fincher;  Pacolet,  T.  B.  Goings;  Gilead,  L.  Berry; 
Limestone  Springs,  William  Curtis;  Enon,  A.  C.  Biggers  ; 
Union,  P.  S.  Thomasson  ;  Rutherfordton,  W.  0.  Wallace; 
Arrowood,  A.  Lancaster;  Mt.  Lebanon,  J.  W.  McCravy ; 
Mt.  Zion,  T.  H.  Mullinax;  Sardis,  D.  Mitchel ;  Shelby,  Thos. 
Williams;  New  Prospect,  T.  Dixon;  Buffalo,  R.  E.  Porter; 
Yorkville,  T.  R.  Gaines. 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  119 

THE    EXECUTIVE    BOARD. 

The  Executive  Board  reported  to  the  Association,  as 
follows: 

That  they  met  on  the  31st  of  August  last,  and  carried  out,  so  far 
tis  they  were  then  ahle,  the  directions  they  had  received.  They  ap- 
pointed Bro.  T.  R.  Gaines  as  the  Missionary  of  the  Association  at 
the  rate  of  one  dollar  per  day,  turningover  to  him  thesubseriptions, 
amounting  to  eighty-one  dollars  and  twenty-five  cents,  with  direc- 
tions to  increase  the  same  as  far  as  he  might  be  able.  He  has  per- 
formed that  work,  and  continued  to  labor  besides  throughout  the 
year,  for  the  benefit  of  the  York'ville  and  four  other  Baptist  churches, 
and  a  station  at  Mulholland's  School-house,  four  miles  from  the  vil- 
lage. In  this  time  he  has  preached  two  hundred  and  sixteen  ser- 
mons, baptized  sixty-three  persons,  ordained  three  deacons,  and 
organized  five  Sabbath  schools.  He  has  also  realized  from  a  visit  to 
Northern  brethren,  nearly  seven  hundred  dollars  ($700,)  and  from 
brethren  at  home  obtained,  in  cash  and  subscriptions,  nearly  three 
hundred  dollars  more,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  a  house  of  worship. 
He  has  evidently  been  a  hard  worker  in  the  vineyard,  and  much 
blessed  in  his  labors.  The  York  Mission  has  now,  after  so  many 
years  of  labor,  become  a  most  interesting  and  fruitful  field.  Surely, 
brethren,  with  the  Catawba  Mission  so  favored  of  the  Great  Head 
of  the  Church,  and  but  given  up  when  Salem  became  self-sustaining 
and  this  Mission  brought  to  nearly  the  .same  condition,  you  are  en* 
cou raged  to  the  work  of  supplying  every  destitute  portion  within 
our  bounds. 

OPERATIONS    OF    THE    BOARD. 

The  Board  reported  to  the  Agent  of  the  State  Conven- 
tion what  they  had  done,  but  have  received  no  further  com- 
munication from  him  to  the  time,  except  that  he  joined  in 
the  appointment  of  Bro.  Gaines  to  this  field.  They  present 
their  Treasurer's  Report,  as  follows  : 

Received  during  past  year  as  per  Bro.  Gaines'  report,    $60.25 

In  good  subscriptions  of  1866 11.00 

From  Financial  committee  of  '67,  assent  from  churches,  23.50 
Sabbath  collections— specie  $12.13,  currency  $15.25 27.38 

$122.13 
Paid  to  Bro.  Gaines $90.00 

Balance  on  hand , 32.13 

122.13 

The  Board,  in  conclusion,  respectfully  request  that  you  will  add 

four  more  brethren  to  their  number,  as  by  a  recent  resolution  you 

have  devolved  upon  them  the  management  of  all  the  funds  sent  up 

to  your  body  for  benevolent  and  missionary  purposes. 

Wm.  Curtis,  Chairman.     . 


120  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

The  Circular  Letter  was  prepared  by  Elder  "Win.  Curtis 
on  the  subject  of  the  Christian  Ministry. 

The  session  of  1868   met  at   Sulphur   Springs  church, 

Union  county,  S.  C. 

In  the  absence  of  Elder  T.  B.  Justice,  the  appointee, 
Elder  J.  C.  Furman,  D.D.,  preached  the  introductory  sermon 
from  2  Sam'l  xxiv.  24. 

Dr.  Wm.  Curtis  and  Bro.  J.  R.  Logan  were  appointed 
Reading  Clerks,  when  letters  were  read  from  33  churches, 
having  a  membership  of  3834. 

Dr.  Wm.  Curtis  was  elected  Moderator,  and  Bro.  R,  E. 
Porter,  Clerk. 

J.  C.  Furman,  D.D.,  was  allowed  to  present  the  claims 
of  Furman  University,  at  Greenville,  S.  C. 

Elders  J.  G.  Landrum,  S.  Drummond,  T.  W.  Smith 
and  others  were  present  as  messengers  from  other  bodies. 

Denominational  Courtesy. — Revs.  A.  A.  James,  of 
the  Presbyterian,  and  C.  S.  Baird,  of  the  Methodist  Church 
being  present,  Bro.  J.  R.  Logan  moved  that  they  be  invited 
to  seats,  which  was  carried,  and  they  kindly  accepted  the 
courtesy  of  the  body. 

ASSOCIATI0NAL  HISTORY. 

On  motion  of  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett,  the  Chairman  of 
the  committee  appointed  last  year  to  write  the  history  of  the 
Association,  reported  verbally  that  the  committee  had  not 
finished  the  work  assigned  them,  by  reason  of  the  failure  of 
many  of  those  appointed  to  furnish  any  information  on  the 
subject;  whereupon,  Elder  B.  Bonner  moved  the  appoint- 
ment of  J.  R.  Logan,  Jno.  Byars  and  J.  W.  Montgomery, 
and  that  Elders  J.  C.  Furman,  D.D.,  and  J.  G.  Landrum  be 
requested  to  aid  the  committee  in  their  examination  of  a  doc- 
ument prepared  by  Wm.  Curtis,  L.L.  D.,  with  a  view  to 
having  it  published  as  a  Circular  Letter,  in  the  Minutes  of 
the  preseut  session,  instead  of  the  contemplated  history  not 
yet  finished, — who  reported  favorably,  recommending  the 
adoption  of  the  document  as  prepared  by  Dr.  Curtis,  and  its 
suitableness  for  publication  with  the  Minutes  of  the  session. 

On  motion  of  Bro.  A.  M.  Smith,  the  committee  who 
were  appointed  last  year  to  write  the  history  of  the  Associa^ 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  121 

tion,  be  continued  the  present  year  to  complete  the  work. 
Elder  T.  R.  Gaines  moved  to  add  the  name  of  J.  R.  Logan 
to  the  committee,  which  was  agreed  to. 

The  following  resolution  was  then  offered  and  adopted  : 
Resolved,  That  the  committee  be  not  limited  to  the  space  of  an 
ordinary  Circular  Letter,  but  prepare  what  they  think  will  be  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Association,  and  that  the  churches  be  recommend- 
ed to  send  up  greatly  augmented  contributions  for  printing  the  same 
the  ensuing  year. 

THE    YORK    ASSOCIATION. 

At  this  session  the  Union,  Enon  and  York  churches 
were  dismissed,  at  their  request,  to  aid  in  the  formation  of 
a  new  Association. 

REPORT  OF  EXECUTIVE  BOARD. 

The  Executive  Board  of  Missions  reported  as  follows, 
which  was  adopted  : 

That  they  have  met  three  times  during  the  year  and  attended  to 
the  duties  assigned  them.  At  the  first  business  meeting  held  Oct. 
123d,  they  settled  with  Bro.  Games  for  his  additional  thirty  days'  ser- 
vice rendered,  and  paid  him  ;  that  then  finding  they  had  but  twelve 
dollars  in  the  Treasury,  they  addressed  a  letter  to  each  church,  re- 
questing them  to  return  an  answer  as  soon  as  possible  as  to  the 
amount  of  money  they  would  send  up  to  this  Association  to  carry 
on  your  operations.  They  received  replies  assuring  them  of  about 
eighty  dollars;  and  therefore,  considering  that  the  most  important, 
pressing  demand  for  assistance  was  the  Lincointon  church,  then 
about  to  be  dissolved,  determined  to  send  Bro.  Wade  Hill  to  revive 
and  sustain  that  infant  church ,  if  possible.  He  went  for  two  months, 
and  reported  to  us  at  our  next  meeting  in  May,  that  his  visits  had 
been  acceptable,  would  result  in  the  establishing  of  the  church,  and 
that  if  anything  could  be  done  to  supplement  his  salary  a  small 
amount— say  twenty  dollars— he  would  accept  the  call- of  the  church 
to  labor  with  them  for  one  year,  to  end  in  June  next.  This  Board 
agreed  to  do  so,  and  therefore  this  work  is  an  accomplished  thing, 
with  the  blessing  of  God  ;  and  for  the  proper  expenditure  of  thirty- 
six  dollars  and  thirty-three  cents  the  Lincointon  church  is  now  again 
at  active  work,  and  sitting  with  open  doors  to  receive  members  and 
to  do  good.  Your  Board  did  not  attempt  more  the  past  year,  because 
they  did  not  wish  to  involve  the  churches  in  any  claims  while  the 
difficulties  of  the  times  were  so  great.  They  have  now,  therefore,  a 
balance  on  hand,  with  the  contributions  given  during  the  Associa- 
tion, of  one  hundred  and  twelve  dollars  and  ninety-five  cents  in 
cash,  and  twenty  one  dollars  and  seventy-five  cents  in  uncollected 
pledges,  with  which  to  push  vigorous  operations  the  ensuing  year.. 
They  may  perhaps  be  able  to  send  a  competent  brother  to  every 
church,  to  aid  in  the  establishing  of  a  Sabbath  school  in  every 
church,  and  supplying  some  especially  destitute  portions  that  raise 
16 


122  BROAD  EIVEE  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION". 

the  Macedonia  cry,  "come  over  and  help  us."  We  urge,  therefore, 
again  that  each  church  will  send  up  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  As- 
sociation from  at  least  five  to  ten  dollars  according  to  its  ability.  By 
looking  into  this  matter  at  your  next  church  meeting  after  receiving 
these  Minutes,  resolving  upon  it  immediately  and  sending  up  W4>rd 
to  your  Executive  Committee,  you  have  hardly  an  idea  of  what  you 
can  accomplish  the  ensuing  year.  The  Board  will  meet  on  Saturday, 
November  28th,  at  Zion  Hill.  By  that  time  let  a  letter  be  sent  to 
the  Board,  stating  what  may  be  expected  as  the  contribution  at  least 
from  each  church.  Wm,  Curtis,  Chairman. 

Remarks. — The  foregoing  shows  the  missionary  opera- 
tions of  the  Association  during  the  past  year.  The  Sabbath 
School  interest  appears  to  be  prett}7  well  kept  up,  and  in  the 
Minutes  of  this  session  i3  a  very  good  report  by  Elder  T.  R. 
Gaines  as  Chairman  who,  now  being  dismissed,  goes  to  a 
new  field  to  operate  under  other  and  different  auspices. 

A    STANDING  DELEGATION. 

Query. — The  following  query  from  Pacolet  church  was, 
taken  up  : 

"Is  it  consistent  with  Baptist  usage  and  the  Constitution  of  the 
Broad  Eiver  Association  to  have  a  standing  delegation  ?" 
Answered  in  the  affirmative. 

A    DOUBTING    DISCIPLE. 

Query. — The  following  query  from  Buffalo  church  was 
taken  up : 

"What  shall  be  done  with  a  person  who  joined  the  church  and 
was  baptized  when  young,  and  was  excluded  from  the  fellowship  of 
that  church  and  claims  now  to  have  been  mistaken,  and  professes  a 
recent  change  of  heart  and  desires  to  be  re-baptized  in  another 
church?" 

Answer.  "We  believe  that  those  persons  who  are  most  fearful  of 
sin  and  its  consequences  are  always  the  farthest  from  it;  hence,  per- 
sons sometimes  think  they  have  not  been  converted,  and  write  bitter 
things  against  themselves,  from  penitency  of  mind  and  tenderness 
of  heart— such  the  Lord  delights  to  dwell  with — and  when  He  man- 
ifests His  presence  to  them  they  take  it  for  conversion,  when  it  is 
only  the  renewing  of  their  faith.  This  is  the  case  often  with  many 
if  not  all  christians.      We  advise  that  such  be  not  re-baptized. 

The  Mount  Lebanon  church  was  dismissed  to  join  the 
Bethel  Association. 

*  FAST  DAY. 

Resolved,  That  this  Association  set  apart  for  humiliation,  prayer 
and  thanksgiving,  the  last  Thursday  (29th)  in  October  next,  and 
that  we  request  all  the  churches  in  our  bounds  to  observe  this  day, 
by  meeting  at  their  several  places  of  worship  and  returning  thanks 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  123 

to  Almighty  God  for  the  abundant  blessings  He  has  vouchsafed  to 
us,  and  implore  a  continuation  of  His  mercies  ;  and  that  our  messen- 
gers to  the  King's  Mountain,  the  Green  River,  the  Reedy  River  and 
the  Bethel  Associations  be  requested  to  lay  this  subject  before  their 
several  bodies. 

The  Circular  Letter,  prepared  by  Elder  Wm.  Curtis, 
L.L.  D.,  in  lieu  of  the  History  of  the  Association,  on  31ini±- 
terial  Education,  was  ordered  to  be  published  with  the  Min- 
utes of  the  session. 

The  69th  session  of  the  body  met  at  Providence  church, 
Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
preached  by  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett,  2d  Chrou.  vi.  42. 

Bro.  J.  R.  Logan  and  Prof.  W.  L.  Johnson  were  ap- 
pointed Reading  Clerks,  who  read  letters  from  27  churches. 
Membership,  3733. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett, 
Moderator,  and  Bro.  R.  E.  Porter,  Clerk. 

Visitors. — Elders  T.  H.  Pope,  representing  the  Baptist 
State  Convention  of  South  Carolina,  W.  T.  Walters,  D.D., 
W.  D.  Elkin,  T.  H.  Smith,  etc.,  were  present  from  other 
bodies. 

ASSOCIATIONAL  HISTORY. 

After  the  appointment  of  the  various  committees  on  As- 
sociational  work,  the  report  of  the  committee  appointed  to 
write  the  History  of  the  Association  was  called  for,  when 
the  Chairman,  Elder  Wm.  Curtis,  reported  verbally  that  the 
work  was  not  yet  completed,  but  would  be  ready  to  deliver 
to  the  printer  by  January  next,  at  farthest. 

HEAD-STONE  FOR    Z.    BLACKWELL. 

It  was  then  moved  that  the  Association  take  up  a  collec- 
tion from  the  delegates  and  persons  present  for  the  purpose 
of  erecting  a  marble  slab  over  the  grave  of  Zechariah  Black- 
well,  deceased,  an  aged  and  distinguished  pioneer  minister 
of  this  Association,  who  has  long  been  buried  in  obscurity. 
The  collection  amounted  to  ten  dollars  and  seventy-five 
cents,  and  the  Association  appointed  Br.  William  Curtis, 
H.  G.  GafYney  and  Isaac  Peeler  a  committee  to  procure  a 
suitable  slab  and  set  it  up. 

Remarks. — Elder   Zechariah  Blackwell  mia;ht  well  be 


124  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

called  'cone  of  the  Lord's  poor  saints."  Like  his  Master,  it 
is  said,  he  scarcely  "had  where  to  lay  his  head."  We  do  not 
find,  however,  that  he  was  like  the  Lazarus  mentioned  in  the 
parable,  "covered  with  sores,"  or  that  he  lay  at  the  gates  of 
the  rich  and  received  only  the  crumbs  that  fell  from  their 
tables,  while  the  dogs  only  administered  to  his  'relief  by  lick- 
ing his  sores ;  yet  we  are  warranted  in  saying  that  he  was  a 
faithful  laborer  in  the  Lord's  vineyard,  commencing;  a  few 
years  after  the  organization  of  the  Broad  River  Association 
(was  a  delegate  to  the  body  from  State  Line  church  in  1808,) 
and  continuing  up  to  the  year  1842,  when  he  died  in  the 
Gospel  harness,  and  during  that  long  series  of  years  he  re- 
ceived nothing  from  the  churches  where  he  labored  more 
than  a  mere  pittance — hardly  sufficient  to  clothe  him  with 
suitable  apparel  to  appear  decently  before  the  congregations 
where  he  labored.  His  grave  was  almost  lost  sight  of,  noth- 
ing having  been  placed  there  to  mark  the  spot,  but  a  rude, 
unsculptured  stone. 

Sardis  Church. — A  committee,  consisting  of  Elders  B. 
Bonner,  M.  C.  Barnett  and  W.  Hill  was  appointed  to  visit 
the  Sardis  church,  and  if,  as  is  reported,  it  be  found  too  fee- 
hie  to  continue  its  church  existence,  and  if  desired  Iry  the 
members  thereof,  that  said  committee  grant  unto  them  such 
letters  of  dismission  or  recommendation  to  other  sister 
churches,  or  take  such  other  action  in  the  case  as  may  be 
right  and  proper,  both  as  to  the  church  and  its  property,  and 
report  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Association. 

STANDING  DELEGATION    AGAIN. 

On  motion,  took  up  and  considered  the  request  sent  up 
from  Cedar  Springs  and  Goucher  Creek  churches,  that  the 
Association  reconsider  the  query  sent  up  last  year  from  Pae- 
olet  church  : 

"Is  it  consistent  with  Baptist  usage  and  the  Constitution  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  to  have  a  standing  delegation  ?" 

Answer.  "B.esolvcd,  That  the  Constitution  does  not  decide  the 
question." 

JResolved,  That  a  resolution  passed  by  this  body  in  the  year  1SU7, 
viz:  "Resolved,  That  hereafter,  as  heretofore,  all  of  our  ordained 
Ministers — members  of  churches  be  ex  ojjicio  members  of  this  body, 
— be  rescinded." 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  125 

Remarks. — This  matter  of  church  representation  has 
feetfetoibre  been  noticed  in  this  work.  The  Broad  River  As- 
sociation never  did  adopt  any  system  or  constitution  as  an 
organic  law  that  we  can  find  any*  account  of.  If  it  did  so  at 
any  time  it  must  have  been  in  the  year  1800,  when  it  was 
first  organized,  and  by  reason  of  the  Minutes  of  that  year 
'■never  being  published,  we  have  no  means  of  ascertaining 
whether  it  did  or  not  But  it  is  certain  that  at  no  subsequent 
session  of  the, body  did  they  do  so,  as  the  Minutes  of  each 
session  fully  show.  The  document  usually  recognized  as 
the  Constitution  was  onlv  a  circular  letter  of  the  old  Bethel 
Association,  and  for  aught  we  know  ma}r  have  been  adopted 
■by  that  body  as  an  organic  law;  and  the  churches  dismissed 
from  the  Bethel  to  form  the  Broad  River  body  may  have 
brought  it  with  them  and  introduced  it  to  the  Convention 
that  organized  the  Broad  River  Association  as  being  suitable 
for  a  constitution,  and  that  body  may  have  adopted  it,  which, 
.however.,  as  above  stated  we  can  never  know,  unless  the 
Minutes  had  been  published.  In  this  state  of  uncertainty 
the  question  of  representation  has  been  an  open  one  from 
the  time  the  Association  was  organized  until  now;  and  it 
sometimes  happens  that  the  brethren  of  one  session  of  the 
body  will  by  resolution  make  all  the  ordained  ministers  of 
the  churches  ex  officio  delegates,  and  another  session  will  take 
i\  different  view  of  ithe  matter,  and  acting  under  the  impres- 
sion that  sueh  a  course  is  anti-democratic  and  conferring  too 
much  authority  on  the  ministry,  proceed  at  once  to  repeal 
in  that  particular  what  a  previous  session  had  done.  There 
should  be  more  stability  one  way  or  the  other  in  reference 
to  such  matters,  and  associational  bodies  that  have' constitu- 
tions clearly  defining  their  powers  in  this  and  other  respects, 
will  always  have  more  quietude,  and  probably  be  better  sat- 
isfied. 

Executive  Board, — The  Executive  Board  reported  that 
they  have  not  accomplished  anything  during  the  present 
year,  except  to  settle  up  with  Bro.  Gaines,  as  will  appear  by 
the  Treasurer's  report  herewith  submitted.  The}7  met  with 
a  quorum  but  once  at  Antioch  this  last  spring,  and  they 
could  then  find  neither  the  man  nor  the  field  on  which  they 


126      ,        BKOAB  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION 

thought  it  best  to  labor  in  the  present  state  of  the  country. 
They  believe  the  plan  for  attending,  to  the  work  is  a  good 
one,  but  more  energy  must  be  put  forth  to  the  work.  This- 
report  was  made  by  the  committee,  Wm.  Curtis,  Chairman, 

The  Sabbath  School  interest  appears  well  kept  up,  aud 
Union  Meetings,  not  hitherto  spoken  of,  appear  to  be  mat- 
ters of  interest  each  associational  year. 

The  70th  session  was  held  at  New  Prospect  churchr 
Cleveland  county,  N,  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was- 
preached  by  Elder  Wade  Hill,  from  Titus  ii.  1.  Churches,. 
27 ;  members,  3733. 

Elder  W.  Hill  was  elected  Moderator,  and  Bro,  Ii.  E, 
Porter,  Clerk. 

Visitors. — Under  the  invitation  given  by  the  Associa- 
tion, Elders  J.  K  Mendenhall,  D.D.,  E.  A.  Poe,  G.  W.  Rol- 
lins, P.  P.  Logan,  1ST.  B.  Cobb  of  Portsmouth,  Va.,  B.  G, 
Covington  of  Pee  Bee,  and  J.  F.  Morall,  D.D.,  Agent  of  the 
Executive  Board,  State  Convention,  S.  C,  accepted  seats  in 
the  body. 

After  the  usual  routine  of  associational  business,  Elder 
B.  G.  Covington,  Agent  Southern  Mission  Board  at  Marion, 
Ala.,  was  heard  in  behalf  of  the  objects  of  said  Board,  and 
a  collection  taken  up. 

Elder  !NT.  B.  Cobb  delivered  an  address  upon  the  Sabbath 
School  cause,  and  took  up  a  collection. 

FURMAN    UNIVERSITY. 

The  following  resolution  respecting  Furman  University 

was  adopted  : 

Whereas,  The  State  Convention  of  the  Baptist  denomi nation 
in  South  Carolina,  at  its  recent  meeting  in  Greenville,  sanctioned 
and  encouraged  the  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  to 
raise  a  permanent  endowment  for  Furman  University  ;  and  whereas, 
the  past  efforts  of  the  Baptists  in  South  Carolina,  in  behalf  of  edu- 
cation, have  been  a  great  public  benefit,  and  especially  have  been 
productive  of  incalculable  good  to  tbe  churches  of  our  Lord  Jesus. 
Christ;  and  whereas,  further,  a  wide  door  of  increased  usefulness 
is  now  opened,  which  must  soon  be  entered  or  closed  upon  us,  per- 
haps forever.     Therefore 

Resolved  1,  That  this  Association  hereby  concur  in  this  proposed 
undertaking,  and  hereby  most  earnestly  call  upon  the  members  of 
our  churches  to  do  their  full  share  in  this  important  work. 

Resolved  2,  That  one  member  from  each  church  be  requested  to 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  127 

undertake  this  work  in  their  churches,   and  try  to  raise  bonds  and 
persuade  our  young  men  to  enter  Furnian  University. 

Remarks. — And  the  appointments  were  made,  we  think 
however,  with  but  little  success.  Our  Baptist  people  within 
the  bounds  of  the  Broad  River  Association  had  not,  at  that 
time,  only  began  to  appreciate  the  advantages  and  blessings 
resulting  from  ministerial  education.  Indeed  a  great  num- 
ber of  the  old  fathers  held  that  human  learning  acquired  at 
Theological  schools  was  not  at  all  necessary  in  the  qualifica- 
tion of  a  minister  of  the  Gospel.  If  an  emergency  arose,  it 
was  an  easy  thing,  said  they,  for  the  Lord  to  call  a  minister 
from  the  bar  or  the  bench,  already  educated  for  a  different 
profession,  as  he  did  Luke,  the  beloved  physician  ;  or  Paul, 
who  had  been  brought  up  at  the  feet  of  Gamaliel,  and  well 
versed  in  all  the  intricate  questions  of  the  law. 

Sabbath  Schools, — A  good  Sabbath  School  report  ap- 
pears in  the  Minutes  of  this  session  by  Elder  T.  Dixon,  the 
Chairman  of  the  Sabbath  School  committee,  by  reference  to 
which  it  appears  that  object  of  associational  work  is  in  a 
prosperous  condition. 

In  our  review  of  associational  work  we  are  somewhat 
surprised  in  not  finding  a  report  of  some  kind  on  the  subject 
of  Temperance.  Is  it  possible  that  Prince  Alcohol  is  quietly 
asleep,  and  disturbing  neither  churches  or  individuals  within 
the  bounds  of  the  Association?  We  hardly  think  it  at  ail 
probable,  and  doubtless  we  shall  soon  hear  otherwise  from 
the  demon  of  discord. 

Demise  of  Good  Brethren. — We  give  the  report  of  the 
committee  on  Obituaries: 

Through  the  goodness  and  mercy  of  God  we  have  had  but  a 
•comparatively  small  number  of  deaths  in  our  body,  among  whom 
we  have  to  mourn  the  loss  of  our  old  and  beloved  deacons,  J.  John- 
sou,  of  Sulphur  Springs,  a  pious  and  useful  member — and  Joseph 
Whisonant,  of  Antioch,  who  had  been  an  efficient  member  for  over 
fifty  years,  and  a  faithful  deacon  for  the  last  thirt37  years.  Also  our 
old  brothers,  pious  and  faithful  members  of  Buffalo — John  Moore 
and  John  Young.  N.  N.  Thomassox,  Chairman. 

INQUIRY  RESPECTING  ASSOCIATIONAL  HISTORY. 

Inquiries  were  made  respectiug  the  completion  of  the 
History  of  the  Broad  River  Association,  when  Bros.  J.  R. 
Logan  and  Dr.  Thos.  Williams  were  invited  to  seats  with  the 


128  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION 

body,  and  examined  in  reference  to  the  sanity  of  Dr.  ¥m, 
Curtis  who,  as  Chairman  of  the  committee  on  that  work  had. 
in  his  hands  the  records  of  churches,  and  other  documents 
relative  to  the  contemplated  history.  These  brethren  gave- 
it  as  their  opinion  that  said  chairman  was  not  at  that  time  of 
perfect  mind  and  memory,  whereupon  the  Association  directed. 
Elder  M.  C.  Barnett  to  render  such  aid  as  he  might  be  ablen. 
and  have  the  work  published  at  as  early  a  day  as  possible,,' 
and  at  such  length  as  he  and  the  Clerk  may  think  the  money 
on  hand  will  pay  for,  and  have  a  sufficient  number  of  copies- 
for  distribution, 

The  church  at  Rutherfordton  was  dismissed  at  this  ses- 
sion to  o-o  back  to  Green  River. 

Executive  Board-. — That  the  reader  may  be  able  to  see- 
what  was  accomplished  as  missionary  operations  in  the  Broad 
Rivet  Association,  we  will  give  the  report  for  this  year  of 
the  Executive  Board  : 

Dear  Brethren  :— ■  Your  Board  very  much  regret  that  they  have 
to  say  they  have  not  been  able  to  procure  a  meeting'  during  the  past 
year  owing,  in  part,  to  the  fact  that  we  had  n-o  Minutes  printed  for 
last  year,  and  consequently  did  not  know  when  and  where  the  Union 
meetings  were  to  be  held  with  which  we  were  directed  by  the  Asso- 
ciation to  convene  ;  and  another  cause  was  that,  knowing  there  was 
only  a  small  amount  of  funds  in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer — say 
some  thirty-five  dollars  on  which  they  could  operate— they  did  not 
deem  it  hardly  necessary  to  urge  a  meeting,  although  they  made  one 
or  two  attempts  to  meet,  but  failed  in  getting  a  quorum. 

Finally,  brethren,  we  think  that  the  most  efficient  way  to  pro- 
cure the  means  with  which  to  operate  in  sending  the  blessed  work 
of  God  to  all  the  waste  and  benighted  places  throughout  our  land, 
is  for  the  churches  to  adopt  some  plan  of  systematic  beneficence, 
and  we  would  prayerfully  suggest  that  the  delegates  be  requested 
that  when  they  return  to  their  churches,  they  will  immediately  and 
urgently  lay  that  plan  before  them.  All  of  which  is  respectfully 
submitted.  H.  G.  Gaffney,  Secretary. 

The  session  of  1871  met  at  Philadelphia  church,  Spar- 
tanburg county,  8.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  deliv- 
ered  by  Elder  W.  L.  Brown,  John  v.  39.  The  union  con- 
sisted of  29  churches;   membership,  3712. 

Pleasant  Grove  and  Brown's  Chapel,  new  churches, 
Avere  admitted  into  the  bodv  at  this  session. 

The  Association  organized  by  electing  Elders  M.  C. 
Barnett,  Moderator,  and  Landrum  C.  Ezell,  Clerk. 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  129 

Elders  M.  V.  B.  Lankford,  T.  H.  Smith,  T.  R.  Gaines, 
J.  L.  Vass,  etc.,  were  received  from  other  bodies. 

To  Answer  Query. — After  the  usual  routine  ot  business, 
the  body  appointed  1ST.  B.  Cobb,  J.  S.  Ezell,  B.  Bonner,  J. 
R.  Logan,  H.  Borders  and  Wm.  S.  Smith  to  answer  a  query 
from  Providence  church  : 

"What  shall  be  done  with  a  sister  who  married  and  separated 
from  her  husband,  and  then  joined  the  church  and  married  a  second 
husband — both  husbands  still  living?" 

The  committee  answered  as  follows  :  "After  conference  with 
the  delegates  from  Providence  church,  your  committee  are  of  opinion 
that  the  above  query  does  not  cover  all  the  facts  of  the  particular 
case  wherein  advice  is  sought.  They  would  therefore  refer  the  query 
back  to  the  church,  with  advice  that  a  council  or  presbytery  be  called 
in  from  other  churches  to  confer  with  them  on  the  matter. 

N.  B.  Cobb,  Chairman." 

ELDER  BARNETT   CALLED    ON   FOR  REPORT. 

Elder  M.  C.  Barnett  having  been  put  in  charge  of  the 
papers  and  documents  out  of  which  the  History  of  the  Asso- 
ciation was  to  be  prepared,  was  called  on  for  a  report.  He 
stated  that  he  had  complied  with  the  request  made  at  the 
last  session,  and  that  there  was  still  due  for  publishing  and 
freight,  $ ,  which  the  Association  resolved  to  pay. 

COMPENSATION   TO   WRITEK. 

On  motion,  a  committee  was  then  appointed  to  consider 
and  recommend  the  amount  to  be  given  the  writer  for  his 
trouble  and  labor  in  preparing  the  History,  who  awarded 
the  sum  of  fiftv  dollars. 

Temperance. — At  this  session  a  committee  was  appoint- 
ed on  Temperance,  who  reported  through  their  Chairman  as 
follows  : 

Temperance  is  truly  designated  as  one  of  the  christian  graces. 
It  was  inculcated  by  the  great  Author  of  our  being,  at  a  very  early 
period  of  the  world's  history,  in  the  garden  of  Eden.  It  was  taught 
not  only  theoretically,  but  practically,  by  the  Savior  of  the  world, 
while  tabernacling  here  among  the  children  of  men  by  an  upright 
deportment,  godly  walk  and  holy  conversation.  It  has  also  been 
ably  advocated  by  the  inspired  writers  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  The 
great  Apostle  to  the  Gentiles  reasoned  before  the  secular  authorities 
of  his  day,  of  this  and  other  eminent  christian  virtues,  by  which  he 
no  doubt  meant  temperance  generally  in  all  things  :  in  meat,  drink, 
the  putting  on  of  apparel,  worldly  business,  conversation,  social  in- 
tercourse, etc.  Extremes  in  everything  were  to  be  carefully  and 
studiously  avoided  as  useless  superfluities,  and  tending  only  to  wick- 
edness and  sin.    We.  are  exhorted  by  the  highest  authority  to  be 

17 


130  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

temperate  in  all  things.  This  christian  virtue  should  ever  adorn 
the  christian  profession,  and  should  be  a  distinguishing  badge  or 
characteristic  of  every  child  of  God,  or  member  ot  His  visible  king- 
dom on  earth.   * 

But.  dear  brethren,  what  do  our  eyes  oftentimes  behold  in  the 
walks  of  life— even  among  the  professors  of  the  christian  religion  ? 
Do  we  not  often  witness  with  sadness  the  evil  genius  of  intemper- 
ance in  many  things,  stalking  about  in  our  midst  as  a  baneful  pesti- 
lence at  noon  day,  disturbing  the  peace  and  quiet  of  the  churches  of 
Jesus  Christ,  and  even  whole  communities,  poisoning  the  very  foun- 
tains of  morality  and  true  and  vital  piety?  Alas!  alas!  it  is  but 
too  true.  Why  is  this?  Has  the  goodly  laws  and  regulations  of 
State  proved  defective?  Is  there  no  restraining  virtue  in  temporal 
organizations,— have  their  efforts  all  failed  and  perished  with  the 
using  ?  Verily  it  seems  as  if  this  is  but  too  true,  and  we  are  made  to 
exclaim  in  the  language  of  holy  writ,  ''vain  is  the  help  of  man." 
What  then  is  to  be  done?  Shall  we  supinely  fold  our  arms  and  bid 
the»demon  of  intemperance  to  enter  in  among  us  unopposed?— to 
the  certain  destruction  of  the  old  landmarks  that  once  characterized 
the  churches  of  Christ,  obliterating  all  distinctions  betwixt  the 
church  and  the  world — uprooting  and  subverting  the  temple  of  our 
civil  liberty,  upon  which  rest  our  religious  privileges?  God  forbid  ! 
No,  let  every  one  that  calls  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  himself  de- 
part from  iniquity.  Let  all  true  followers  of  Christ  be  united  and 
more  vigilant  as  they  see  the  evil  approaching,  and,  as  one  man  in 
the  strength  of  the  Lord,  present  a  bold  front  against  the  great  and 
destructive  flood  of  'vjce. 

Let  the  churches  use  and  enforce  Gospel  discipline  more  effect- 
ively. Let  them  frown  down  vice  and  folly  in  whatever  form  pre- 
sented, and  thereby  prt  serve  a  purer  membership ;  and  especially 
should  the  churches  discipline  all  of  their  members  who  indulge 
too  freely  in  the  intoxicating  bowl;  let  such  beheld  to  a  strict  ac- 
countability at  the  bar  of  the  church  for  conduct  so  licentious  and 
damaging  to  the  cause  of  religion.  If  any  persist  in  a  course  of  con- 
duct so  reprehensible  alter  being  properly  admonished,  let  them  be 
cut  off  at  once  as  cumberers  of  the  cause  which  they  have  falsely 
professed  to  love  and  cherish.  Then,  and  not  till  then,  will  the 
churches  have  rest,  and  the  cause  of  religion  nourish  in  our  borders. 
Respectfully  submitted.  J.  R.  Logan,  Chairman. 

Pending  the  motion  to  adopt,  remarks  were  made  Ivy 
Elders  Brown  and  Hill,  after  which  the  report  was  unani- 
mously approved. 

The  demise  of  Bro.  Joseph  Mullinax,  of  Antioch  church, 
and  the  father  of  two  ministers,  Elders  Madison  Mullinax 
and  Thomas  II.  Mullinax,  is  noticed  in  the  Minutes  of  this 
session.  lie  died  Aug.  2d,  1871  ;  had  united  with  the  above 
church  at  its  constitution  in  1815,  and  from  that  time  to  the 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  13  1 

day  of  his  death  had  walked  worthy  of  the  vocation   where- 
with he  was  called. 

GRAVE-STONES  OF   Z.    BLACKWELL   AGAIN. 

The  Association,  at  a  former  meeting,  having  raised 
$14.75  to  erect  a  monument  over  the  grave  of  our  much 
esteemed  brother,  Elder  Zechariah  Blackwell,  on  motion, 
the  amount  was  increased  to  $25.75,  and  Bro.  J.  R4  Jefferies 
was  appointed  to  have  the  work  done. 

A   COLORED   MISSIONARY    BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Having  heard  through  Elder  IS".  B.  Cobb  a  request  from 
the  colored  Baptists  of  Cleveland  and  Gaston  counties,  IS". 
C,  for  aid  to  organize  a  Missionary  Association,  the  follow- 
ing brethren  were  appointed  to  meet  with  them  and  aid  in 
such  organization,  viz :  JS.  B.  Cobb,  T.  Dixon,  L.  C.  Ezell, 
J.  R.  Logan  and  T.  H.  Mullinax. 

The  churches  of  Shelby,  New  Prospect  and  Capernaum 
were,  at  thier  own  request,  dismissed  from  this  body  to  join 
the  King's  Mountain  Association. 

DOMESTIC   AND   INDIAN   MISSIONS. 

We  give  entire  the  report  of  the  committee  on  Domes- 
tic and  Indian  Missions,  that  the  reader  may  more  fully 
understand  the  nature  and  object  of  that  branch  of  associa- 
tional  work  : 

Your  committee  beg  leave  to  report  that,  although  no  reports  on 
these  subjects  have  appeared  in  our  former  Minutes,  vet  we  are  sure 
they  are  subjects  of  practical  importance,  and  more  especially  at  this 
time.  Your  committee  desire  to  submit  to  you  as  an  Association, 
and  through  you  to  all  the  churches  and  members  of  the  same,  the 
great  importance  of  a  missionary  in  our  own  territory.  We  feel  that 
at  this  time  there  is  a  great  need  of  interchange  and  a  reciprocation 
of  pulpit  labors.  Further,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  negroes  in  our 
bounds  and  elsewhere  show  a  disposition  to  organize  churches  of 
their  own,  and  inasmuch  as  they  have  but  few  educated,  informed 
ministers,  we  ought  to  have  one  or  more  discreet  and  intelligent 
ministers  to  labor  among  them — to  distribute  Bibles  and  religious 
tracts — to  point  out  to  them  in  a  clear  and  concise  manner  the  doc- 
trines and  usages  of  our  churches.  By  so  doing  we  feel  sure  that  a 
growing  superstition  would  be  repelled,  that  a  prevailing  prejudice 
which  has  been  infused  into  their  minds  by  partisans  and  dema- 
gogues, would  be  overcome,  and  the  two  races  placed  on  more  amica- 
ble and  peaceful  terms.  They  are  now  an  element  of  power  in  our 
country,  led  on  by  unscrupulous  and  unprincipled  men,  and  to  coun- 
teract such  influences  as  are  infused  into  their  minds  we  must  prove 


132  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

to  them  that  we  are  their  friends,  and  we  know  of  no  other  channel 
through  which  we  can  do  this  so  well  as  in  the  disseminating  of  the 
Gospel  and  religious  instruction  among  them. 

Surely  none  need  be  convinced  of  the  fact  that  every  portion  of 
this  great  field — not  only  of  our  own  State,  but  every  State  and  Ter- 
ritory in  this  great  nation — needs  a  pure  Gospel ;  and  when  the  voice 
of  Revelation  is  ringing  out,  "Come  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord — to 
the  help  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty" — none  ought  to  say,  "I 
pray  thee  have  me  excused." 

And  as  for  the  Indians,  who  were  the  owners  and  masters  of  our 
forests  and  fields,  whereon  we  have  raised  our  families  and  accumu- 
lated our  wealth,  but  who  have  been  driven  from  them  (for  whom 
there  is  but  little  room  on  this  Continent,  and  whose  sojourn  in  time 
is  short,)  brethren,  we  owe  it  to  them  under  God  to  aid  in  sowing 
among  them  the  good  seed  of  the  kingdom,  to  be  "fellow-helpers  to 
the  Truth,"  in  breaking  to  them  the  bread  of  life1— in  bearing  to 
them  the  cup  of  salvation  ;  and  your  committee  feels  that  there  is 
annually  expended  (and  worse  than  thrown  away)  upon  our  unchas- 
tened  appetites,  and  hung  in  superfluities  upon  our  persons,  sums  of 
money  sufficient  to  meet  all  their  wants.  We  need  more  of  the 
"Spirit  of  Jesus." 

The  object  of  the  Domestic  and  Indian  Mission  Board  of  the 
Southern  Baptist  Convention  is  to  send  the  Gospel  to  all  the  desti- 
tute persons  and  places  in  the  fourteen  States»and  two  Territories 
within  their  limits.'  These  States  are  inhabited  by  thousands  of  per- 
sons who  have  come  to  us  from  across  the  waters — from  Britain, 
Germany,  France,  Italy,  China  and  Africa — besides  the  scattered 
tribes  of  our  own  West.  These  need  the  Gospel.  They  will  be  lost 
without  it.  The  wants  of  these  must  be  met  by  the  Baptists  of  the 
South.  The  success  of  this  Board  in  the  past  is  quite  encouraging 
There  never  was  greater  encouragement  to  labor  than  at  present; 
hundreds  have  already  accepted  Jesus  as  their  Savior  through  this 
instrumentality. 

During  the  past  quarter  there  were  two  hundred  and  seventy- 
nine  whites,  thirty-five  Indians  and  thirty-five  negroes  baptized  by 
its  missionaries.  Anions  the  three  Indian  nations  (the  Creeks,  the 
CheroKees  and  the  Choctaws)  are  four  missionaries  from  the  State  of 
Georgia — all  supported  by  four  different  associations  of  that  State. 
Added  to  this  are  four  native  preachers  to  the  Creeks. 

The  claim  of  this  work  upon  us  is  very  great.  It  should  enlist 
our  prayers  and  sympathies  and  reach  our  pockets.  The  Chinaman 
is  being  brought  to  our  country  to  labor  on  our  farms  and  to  build 
our  railroads.  It  is  through  this  mission  we  can  reach  them  and 
accomplish  great  good.  The  Master  calls  each  one  to  work  in  His 
vineyard.  J.  S.  Ezell,    Chairman. 

EXECUTIVE    BOARD. 

As  we  have  been  tracing  the  annual  operations  of  the 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  133 

Executive  Board  of  Missions  of  the  Broad  River  Association, 
we  will  therefore  give  the  report  for  this  year; 

From  past  experience  we  have  thought  it  advisable  not  to  create 
any  pecuniary  liabilities,  and  although  we  are  anxious  to  labor  in 
building  up  the  kingdom  of  our  Master  at  home,  yet,  being  short  of 
means,  we  were  forced  to  allow  another  year  to  pass  without  any 
material  advantage  gained  on  our  part. 

We  are  gratified  that  we  can  announce  the  intelligence  that  the 
Beard  is  out  of  debt,  with  the  exception  of  the  arrearages  due  on  the 
publication  of  the  History  of  our  Association.  An  unexpended  bal- 
ance remains  on  hand,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  Treasurer's  Report. 
With  this  amount,  it  is  true,  we  might  have  performed  a  small 
amount  of  work,  but  we  have  thought  it  best  to  wait,  in  the  hope  of 
being  able  to  add  this  to  the  larger  contributions  of  your  present 
meeting,  which  might  enable  us  to  accomplish  more  extensive  work. 

There  is  great  destitution  in  regard  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gos- 
pel in  our  bounds.  Nor  is  this  all.  The  absorbing  influences  of  the 
world,  its  fashions  and  its  pleasures,  are  getting  such  a  hold  upon 
us  that  religion  is  regarded  only  as  a  secondary  consideration. 

Taking  into  consideration  this  condition  of  our  country,  your 
Board  were  auxious  to  be  at  work,  but  their  treasury  was  empty. 
Do  our  pastors  do  their  duty?  Do  they  preach  the  whole  truth, 
shunning  not  to  declare  the  whole  council  of  God?  They  can  an- 
swer for  themselves.  Do  our  churches  do  their  duty  ?  Do  they  give 
liberally  and  bountifully,  as  God  has  been  liberal  and  bountiful  in 
bestowing  blessings  upon  them? 

Dear  brethren,  we  can  do  but  little  except  you  aid  us  liberally. 
Will  you  not  seek  earnestly  and  prayerfully  to  know  your  duty,  and 
thereby  enable  us  to  do  ours  ? 

We  would  earnestly  recommend  that  the  ministers  of  this  Asso- 
ciation lay  the  claims  of  your  Board  before  their  respective  charges 
at  least  at  the  last  church  meetings  before  the  assembling  of  the 
Association.  M.  C.  Baknett,  Chairman. 

Remarks. — Xow  we  gather  information  from  the  second 
paragraph  of  the  foregoing  report, — that  the  Executive  Board 
was  out  of  debt,  excepting  some  "arrearage  on  the  publica- 
tion of  the  History  ot  the  Association,"  and  we  are  naturally 
led  to  inquire,  if  the  publication  of  Associational  histories 
was  one  of  the  objects  of  the  Missionary  Boards  of  the  body  ? 
We  do  not  think  that  it  was.  And  if  the  missionary  funds 
were  used  in  that  way  much  or  little  it  was  certainly  a  breach 
of  trust,  and  a  diversion  of  the  funds  intended  for  missions 
to  an  object  not  contemplated  in  the  formation  of  the  differ- 
ent boards  of  the  Association.  We  hope,  however,  some 
good  was  done. 


134  BEOAD  EIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

The  72nd  session  met  at  Arrowood  church,  Spartanburg 
county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  by 
Elder  J.  G.  Carter,  from  Job  xxi.  15.  The  Sandy  Springs- 
.  church,  from  Green  River  Association,  was  admitted  into 
the  union  at  this  session, — making  26  churches  in  all,  with 
a  membership  of  3129. 

After  reading  letters  from  the  churches,  Elders  Brvant 
Bonner  was  elected  Moderator  and  W.  L.  Brown,  Clerk. 

PALMETTO   ORPHAN   HOME. 

After  the  appointment  of  committees  and  reception  of 
Corresponding  Messengers  from  other  bodies,  etc.,  Elder  T. 

x.  ™  ~  7  7 

R.  Gaines  was  invited  to  address  the  Association  in  behalf 
of  the  Palmetto  Orphan  Home.  Bro.  Gaines  spoke  of  the 
work  in  which  he  was  engaged,  and  succeeded  in  enlisting 
the  sympathies  of  the  Association.  After  which  a  handsome 
collection  was  taken  up  for  the  objects  of  the  Orphan  Home 
and  the  following  resolution  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  this  Association  has  heard,  with  deep  interest, 
the  address  of  Bro.  Gaines,  and  that  we  will  lay  the  matter  before 
our  churches  and  strive  to  interest  them  in  the  work. 

SYSTEMATIC  BEN  EFICENCE. 

The  subject  of  systematic  beneficence  was  brought  up 
for  discussion,  which,. after  being  pretty  thoroughly  ventila- 
ted, resulted  in  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  this  Association  be  requested  to 
urge  upon  their  churches  the  necessity  of  some  plan  of  "systematic 
beneficence,"  and  we  recommend  that  as  much  as  twenty-five  cents 
per  member  be  raised  during  the  year  for  missions. 

Foreign  Missions. — We  give  the  report  on  Foreign 
Missions  as  being  appropriate  at  this  juncture,  after  the  ill 
fate  of  the  Pope  : 

Your  committee  on  Foreign. Missions  find  great  reasons  why  we 
should  be  encouraged  in  our  efforts  to  aid  in  the  spread  of  the  Gos- 
pel, since  our  Savior  said  to  His  desciples,  "The  Gospel  must  first 
be  preached  among  all  nations:"  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and 
preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature."  The  kingdom  of  Christ  h;;s 
been  making  steady  progress  in  the  world.  During  the  last  eighteen 
centuries  the  Gospel  of  Christ  has  made  the  peaceable  conquest  of 
many  heat  ha n  nations,  overturning  their  idols  and  false  religions. 
•This  work  is  now  progressing  most  encouragingly  in  China,  India, 
T  till v,  Japan,  Africa  and  many  other  heathen  lands.  But  surely 
Italy  furnishes  the  most  unmistakable  evidence  of  the  progressive 

power  of  the  Gospel. 

For  twelve  centuries  Rome  was  the  seat  of  Anti-Christ.     There 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  135 

the  Pope  swayed  the  sceptre  of  churches  and  kingdoms,  causing 
bishops  and  kings  to  do  his  bidding.  There  the  great  prosecuting 
power  that  destroyed  so  many  saints  sat  enthroned.  But  the  Gospel 
has  at  last  overcome  the  Pope.  "The  accuser  of  our  brethren  is  cost 
down." — Rev.  xii.  10.  ''He  that  leadeth  into  captivity  shall  go  into 
captivity  ;  but  he  that  killeth  with  the  sword  must  be  killed  with 
the  sword." — Rev.  xiii.  10.  The  fulfillment  of  these  prophecies  are 
now  taking  place  in  Rome.  "Babylon  is  fallen." — Rev.  xiv.  8.  The 
preaching  of  the  Gospel  and  the  patience  of  the  saints  have  gotten 
the  victory.  This  is  the  work  Of  the  Lord,  and  it  is  marvelous  in 
our  eyes.  '  The  reaping  time  is  come.  Let  us  "thrust  in  the  sickle 
mid  reap,  for  the  time  is  come  for  us  to  reap,  for  the  harvest  of  the 
earth  is  ripe." — Rev.  xiv.  15. 

Italy,  France.  Spain,  all  Europe,  and  all  Roman  Catholic  coun- 
tries are  now  open  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel.  From  this  day 
the  curse  of  God  will  be  visited  on  "him  who  worships  the  beast  and 
his  image,  and  receives  the  mark  in  his'  forehead  and  in  his  hand." 
— Rev.  xiv.  9.  Romanism  will  henceforth  rapidly  decline  under  the 
light  and  liberty  which  the  Gospel  is  now  giving  to  the  nations. 

Your  committee  would  call  the  special  attention  of  the  churches 
of  the  Association  to  the  work  now  in  progress  in  Italy.  A  Baptist 
Church  has  been  constituted  in  the  city  of  Rome,  and  many  others 
in  other  parts  of  Italy,  since  the  downfall  of  the  Pope.  The  Foreign 
Mission  Board  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention  has  sent  faithful 
missionaries  into  Italy,  whose  labors  are  wonderfully  blessed.  Our 
brethren  in  the  United  States  are  raising  money  to  build  a  house  Of 
worship  for  our  Baptist  brethren  in  Rome.  It  is  expected  that  South 
Carolina  will  raise  two  thousand  dollars  for  this  purpose.  This  As- 
sociation should  at  once  do  what  she  can  for  this  object.  As  we 
daily  behold  the  fulfilling  of  the  prophecies  concerning  the  triumph 
<>t  the  Gospel  over  all  the  world,  and  the  coming  of  the  day  when 
they  that  have  gotten  the  victory  over  the  beast  and  all  his  allies, 
shall  stand  on  the  sea  of  .glass  with  the  harp  of  God,  singing  the 
soiig  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb,  saying :  "Great  and  marvelous  are 
Thy  works,  Lord  God  Almighty  ;"  as  we  look  forward  (o  the  coming 
of  the  blessed  millennium  let  us  all  become  more  faithful,  zealous 
and  liberal  in  one  common  effort  to  spread  the  Gospel.  Our  Foreign 
Mission  Board  is  located  in  Richmond,  Virginia,  and  contributions 
for  the  foreign  mission  work  should  be  sent  to  H.  A.  Tupper,  Rich- 
mond, Va.     Respectfully  submitted, 

J.  G.  Carter,  Chairman. 
There  was  also  a   good  report  made  by  Bro.  John  R. 
Jefferies  as  Chairman  of  the  committee  on  Home  Missions, 
which  we  would  reproduce  if  our  space  allowed. 

EXECUTIVE    BOARD. 

The  Executive  Board  of  Missions,  through  Elder  W.  L. 
Brown  as  Chairman,  made  a  verbal  report  in  relation  to  its 
operations  substantially  as  follows  : 


136  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION, 

That  owing  to  the  troublous  times  of  the  past  year,  the  Board 
did  not  have  a  full  meeting,  consequently  they  had  been  unable  to 
do  anything ;  but  that  the  new  board  had  organized  and  employed 
Elder  Wade  Hill  as  missionary  in  the  bounds  of  the  Association  for 
two  months,  and  earnestly  desire  if  the  board  can  obtain  means  to 
keep  him  in  the  field  for  a  greater  length  of  time. 

Deaths. — The  demise  of  Elder  J.  G.  Kendriek  is  noticed 
in  the  Minutes  of  this  session.  He  died  June  6,  1872,  after 
a  few  days'  illness  of  apoplexy,  in  the  69th  year  of  his  age, 
(See  biographical  sketch  of  him  in  this  work.)  The  demise 
of  Deacon  E.  A.  Byars,  of  Camp's  Creek  church,  for  many- 
years  a  model  of  piety  and  good  works,  and  much  esteemed 
by  all  who  knew  him,  is  reported  in  the  Minutes  of  this  year. 

Mt.  Zion. — A  letter  of  dismission  was  granted  the 
Mount  Zion  church,  at  her  request,  to  join  the  King's  Moun- 
tain Association. 

The  73d  session  met  at  Antioch  church,  York  county, 
S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  by  Elder 
Bryant  Bonner,  Isaiah  ix.  6. 

The  union  consists  of  25  churches  ;  membership,  3042. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  John  S.  Ezell, 
Moderator,  and  Elder  W.  L.  Brown,  Clerk. 

HEAD-STONES    OF    Z.    BLACKWELL. 

After  the  appointment  of  committees,  &c,  the  commit- 
tee on  the  erection  of  head  and  foot-stones  in  memory  of 
Elder  Zechariah  Blackwell,  reported  : 

That  they  have  information  as  to  the  grave-yard  in  which  Elder 
Blackwell  was  interred,  but  are  still  unable  to  identify  the  exact 
spot.  They  think  they  may  be  able  to  do  so,  and  ask  for  further 
time.     Respectfully,  &c,  H.  G.  Gaffney,  Chairman. 

The  Executive  Board  of  Missions  reported : 

Immediately  after  the  present  board  was  appointed,  it  organized 
and  secured  the  services  of  Elder  W.  Hill,  wTho  entered  the  field  on 
the  5th  Sabbath  in  September,  187«2,  and  rode  as  its  missionary  for 
two  months.  Bro.  Hill's  time  expired  November  30th.  The  board 
met  November,  1872,  at  the  bouse  of  Bro.  J.  R.  Jefferies,  received  the 
report  of  Bro.  Hill  and  paid  his  salary — sixty  dollars.  Bro.  Hill  re- 
ported that  he  had  visited  most  of  the  churches  in  the  Association. 
On  week  days  the  congregations  were  small,  but  large  on  Sabbaths. 
Some  of  the  churches  gave  signs  of  looseness  in  discipline,  and  neg- 
ligence in  keeping  their  houses  of  worship.  He  was  generally 
warmly  received,  and  we  are  hopeful  that  his  plain,  earnest  preach- 
ing has  produced  good  results.  Your  board  has  also  assisted  the 
Unity  Church  to  the  amount  of  twenty-five  dollars.     Bro.  John  Tol- 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  137 

leson  has  been  preaching  there  once  per  month,  we  trust  with  good 
results. 

Your  board  has  sadly  felt  the  need  of  the  sympathy  and  contri- 
butions of  the  churches,  and  are  sorry  we  have  so  little  of  the  latter. 
It  is  with  sadness  we  report  that  some  of  the  members  of  the  board 
never  attended  its  meetings.  For  the  want  of  funds  the  board  could 
do  nothing  during  the  past  spring  and  summer. 

In  retiring  we  would  respectfully  recommend  that  the  board  be 
abolished,  or  that  it  be  furnished  with  funds  with  which  to  do  some- 
thing.    Respectfully,  &c,  W.  L.  Brown,  Chairman. 

Demise  of  M.  C.  Barnett. — The  committee  on  Obitua- 

rise  reported  the  demise  of  Elder  Micajah  C.  Barnett,  on  the 

20th  of  September  of  the  year  1872,  in  the  town  of  Shelby, 

N.  C,  and,  on  motion,  the   delegates    of  El  Bethel    church 

(where  Elder  Barnett  was  a  member)   had  leave  to  address 

the  body  in  reference  to  a  monument  designed  to  be  erected 

to  his  memory  in, their  cemetery. 

Bro.  J.  R.  Jefferies  stated  that  it  was  intended  to  erect 
a  plain,  neat  monument — one  that  would  do  credit  to  El 
Bethel  church,  to  this  Association,  and  to  the  Baptist  de- 
nomination. That  a  suitable  committee  had  been  appointed 
by  the  church  to  receive  funds  for  the  object,  and  to  purchase 
the  monument,  and  superintend  the  placing  of  it  over  the 
grave.  In  closing  his  remarks  he  made  an  earnest  and  touch- 
ing  appeal  to  the  delegates  and  churches  to  aid  in  the  work. 
One  hundred  and  twenty  dollars  was  raised,  and  the  delegates 
instructed  to  lay  the  matter  before  their  churches  immedi- 
ately on  their  return  home,  and  solicit  funds  to  be  forwarded 
to  the  committee.  We  refer  the  reader  to  the  biographical 
sketch  of  Elder  Barnett  in  this  work. 

DEACON  THOMPSON  ROBBS  AND  OTHERS. 

The  demise  of  Deacon  Thompson  Hobbs,  of  State  Line 
church,  "a  man  of  exemplary  piety  and  much  beloved  by  his 
church."  Also  Deacon  A.  Lovelace,  of  Arrowood  church, 
who  died  July  16th,  1873,  "in  the  triumphs  of  the  Gospel 
faith."  And  our  aged  and  much  beloved  brother,  J.  M.  By- 
ars,  of  Pacolet  church,  "who  was  an  humble  christian,  a  de- 
voted lover  of  his  church  and  pastor,  and  a  liberal  supporter 
of  all  benevolent  objects."  And  also  Sister  Caroline  More- 
head,  daughter  of  Elder  J.  G.  Kendrick,  "who  was  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  greatly  afflicted,  and  bore  it  all  with  christian 
18 


138  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION". 

fortitude,  and  died  resigned  to  the  Lord's  will."     These  are 
noticed  in  the  Minutes  of  this  session. 

REPORTS  OF   COMMITTEES. 

The  body  was  entertained  with  the  reading  of  good  re- 
ports on  the  various  branches  of  associational  work — Foreign 
and  Home  Missions,  Sabbath  Schools,  Temperance,  Associa- 
tional Correspondence,  etc.,  all  of  which  seemed  to  be  in 
rather  a  languishing  condition,  but  the  brethren  appeared 
loath  to  give  them  up,  and  still  urged  them  as  strongly  as 
ever  upon  the  attention  of  the  churches.  "We  hope  to  see 
in  the  examination  of  the  Minutes  of  future  sessions  not  yet 
reached,  that  their  efforts  were  not  altogether  in  vain. 

Antioch  Church. — The  Antioch  church  was  dismissed 
at  this  session  to  unite  with  the  King's  Mountain  Association. 

The  74th  session  met  at  Pleasant  Grove  church,  Spar- 
tanburg county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preach- 
ed by  Elder  J.  G.  Carter,  Matt.  xxv.  15.  The  union  consisted 
of  25  churches;  membership,  3110. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  J.  S.  Ezeil,  Moderator, 
Bro.  Ii.  E.  Porter,  Clerk,  and  Ii.  G.  Gaffhey,  Treasurer. 

Visitors. — After  the  usual  appointment  of  committees, 
&c,  Prof.    J.   B.  Patrick  and  Elders    G.   S.  Anderson  and 
Win,  Williams,  D. D.,  made  urgent  appeals  in  behalf  of  the 
Theological  Institution  at  Greenville,  S.  C.  ' 
tomb-stones  for  z.  blackwell. 

The  committee  appointed  three  years  ago  to. erect  tomb- 
stones over  the  grave  of  Elder  Zechariah  Blackwell,  reported 
as  follows  : 

Your  committee  beg  leave  to  report  that  they  have  procured 
from  Mr.  John  Geddes,  of  Spartanburg,  S.  C,  a  set  of  white  marble 
grave-stones.  The  head-stone  is  oval  top,  with  shoulders,  and  has 
an  open  Bible  carved  upon  it.;  also  has  a  granite  base.  The  follow- 
ing is  the  inscription  :  "Erected  by  the  Broad  River  Association,  in 

memory  of  Elder  Z.  Blackwell,  who  died ,  aged  84  years.    He 

is  not  dead,  but  sleepeth." 

His  grave  has  been  pointed  out  in  the  family  grave-yard  at  old 

Bro,  Isaac  Peeler's,  in  Union  county.  S.  C. 

H.  G.  Gaffney,  Chairman. 

The  Executive  Board  reported  for  the  associational  year 
ending  September  10th,  1874  : 

The  present  board  was  organized  September  14th,  1873,  and  held 
eight  meetings  during  the  year,  a  quorum  being  always  present.    We 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  139 

regret  to  say  that  we  have  been  deprived  of  the  services  of  cur 
esteemed  brother,  W.  Allen,  during  the  whole  year,  on  account  of 
sickness,  We  have  aided  Unity  church  to  the  amount  of  $40.0.)  in 
supporting  their  pastor,  and  also  to  the  amount  of  $54.75  in  comple- 
ting their  house  of  worship  We  have  aided  Limestone  church  to 
the  amount  of  $25. (JO  in  supporting  her  pastor.  We  co-operated  with 
tne  Executive  Board  of  the  State  Convention  in  securing  a  mission- 
ary during  the  summer  months.  We  hereby  annex  an  extract  (,f 
Elder  J.  W.  Perry's  report : 

I  began  work  on  the  7th  day  of  June,  1874,  and  closed  August 
23d.  I  preached  every  time  an  opportunity  afforded,  but  was  disap- 
pointed in  some  of  my  appointments.  As  to  the  religious  condition 
of  the  churches  that  I  visited,  I  can  say  that  there  is  vast  room  for 
improvements  in  most  of  them— some  seem  to  be  doing  well,  others 
are  in  a  lamentable  condition,  without  life  enough  to  maintain  any- 
thing like  a  wholesome  discipline.  Some  even  have  office-bearers 
of  such  as  the  Apostle  Paul  says  we  must  not  associate  with,  or  even 
e.it. — 1  Cor.  v.  11.  But  there  is  some  splendid  material  that  I  have 
met  with  in  my  short  acquaintance  in  your  section,  and  there  is  only 
needed  plenty  of  the  right  sort  of  work,  and  an  humble  reliance  on 
the  Holy  Spirit  to  make  it  an  enviable  field. 

The  state  of  our  funds  warranted  the  employing  of  another  mis- 
sionary for  a  short  time.  We  employed  Elder  J.  G.  Carter,  whose 
report  is  annexed  for  information  : 

I  began  labor  on  the  19th  of  July  and  ended  on  the  9th  of  Sep- 
tember. Preached  34  sermons,  read  the  Scriptures  and  held  prayer 
meetings  as  often  as  opportunity  offered.  I  found  some  of  the 
churches  prosperous  and  others  in  a  cold  state.  There  is  great  need 
of  missionary  labor  within  your  bounds,  and  1  would  urge  that  steps 
be  taken  to  send  the  Gospel  to  the  destitute  places. 

The  following  is  an  extract  of  Elder  John  Tolleson's 
report  of  his  services  at  Unity  church  : 

The  church  is  in  a  prosperous  condition,  with  a  new  house  partly 
built.  The  large  attendance  and  good  attention  to  the  preaching  of 
the  Gospel  urges  me  to  beg  that  you  continue  your  aid  in  sending 
the  preached  Word  to  this  church.  Send  some  one  who  you  think 
will  do  the  most  good. 

In  retiring,  your  board  can  but  say  that  we  feel  encouraged  at 
the  success  of  the  past  year,  and  still  recommend  to  your  body  to 
urge  upon  the  churches  the  great  necessity  of  sending  forward  funds 
to  sustain  the  board  in  their  work.  For  an  account  of  the  manner 
in  which  your  funds  have  been  expended  during  the  past  year,  we 
refer  you  to  the  Treasurer's  report. 

W.  L.  Brown,  Chairman. 

Good  reports  were  made  on  Sabbath  Schools,  State  of 
Religion,  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missions,  etc. 

Deaths. — Bro.  H.  G.  Gaffnev  was  added  to  the  commit- 
tee  on  Obituaries,  and,  after   consultation,   that  committee 


140  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

reported  the  demise  of  Elder  Wm.  Curtis,  L.L.D.,  who  had 
been  a  prominent  member  of  the  body  for  several  years.  His 
death  took  place  October  30th,  1873,  in  "Walthoursville,  Lib- 
erty county,  Ga.  (See  biography  of  Dr.  William  Curtis  in 
this  work.) 

The  decease  of  Deacon  James  Ezell,  of  Buck  Creek 
church  is  also  noticed.  "He  had  long  been  a  faithful  mem- 
ber and  deacon  of  the  church,  but  is  now  gone  to  his  reward. 
The  church  has  sustained  a  great  loss  in  his  death,  but  her 
loss  is  his  eternal  gain.  His  life  was  a  living  epistle  known 
and  seen  of  all  men. 

RESOLUTION    IN    FAVOR    OF    J.    E.    BURGESS. 

The  following  was  introduced  and  adopted  : 
Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  the  churches  composing  the 
Broad  River  Association,  that  they  aid  Bro.  J.  E.  Burgess  in  acquis 
iug  an  education,  as  he  feels  it  his  duty  to  preach  the  Gospel;  that 
our  Executive  Board  be  instructed  to  take  such  action  in  the  case  as 
they  may  think  best. 

Peuding  the  adoption  of  the  foregoing  resolution  there 
were  raised  from  the  delegates  and  congregation  over  one 
hundred  dollars  for  the  above  object. 

The  75th  session  met  at  Mount  Ararat  church,  Union 
county,  S.  C.     The   introductory  sermon    was  delivered  by 
Elder  J.  S.  Ezell,  from  Rom.  i.  16.     Abington  Creek  church 
was  admitted  at  this  session, — making  a  union  of  26  churches,  . 
with  a  membership  of  2996. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  J.  G.  Carter, 
Moderator,  Bros.  J.  R.  Jefferies,  Clerk,  and  H.  G.  Gaffney. 
Treasurer. 

After  the  usual  routine  of  business  the  Executive  Board 
reported : 

The  present  board  was  organized  October  3d,  1874,  and  held  six 
meetings  during  the  year,  a  quorum  being  always  present.  Your 
board  have  to  regret  that  some  of  its  members  have  been  very  remiss 
in  their  attendance.  According  to  a  resolution  passed  at  the  last 
meeting  of  the  Association,  we  made  arrangements  for  Bro.  Burgess 
to  go  to  school  at  Woodruff's,  in  Spartanburg  county,  Bro.  H.  P. 
Griffith  the  principal,  charging  him  no  tuition.  Bro.  Burgess  en- 
tered the  school  at  the  beginning  of  the  year.  Bro.  Griffith  reports 
that  he  is  making  tine  progress,  and  is  entirely  worthy  of  your  sup- 
port. 

Early  in  the  Spring  the  board  desired  to  supply  Gaffney  Station 
with  preaching  at  least  once  a  month,  with  the  view  of  building  a 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  141 

•church  there,  but  for  soine  time  was  not  able  to  secure  a  suitable 
man.  Following  the  instructions  of  the  board  the  Chairman  secured 
the  services  of  Elder  J.  D.  Jamison.  Bro.  Jamison  went  to  Gaffney 
on  the  third  Sunday  in  August,  and  will  also  be  there  the  next  third 
♦Sunday.  His  continuance  at  that  point  is  a  matter  for  the  new  board 
In  May  we  employed  Elder  B.  Bonner  to  go  and  establish  a  preach" 
ang  point  on  the  west  side  of  Broad  River.  You  are  referred  to  his 
report  for  further  information  in  reference  to  this  field.  Your  board 
lias  also  assisted  the  Unity  church,  in  York  county,  to  the  amount 
of  thirty  dollars  in  sustaining  their  pastor.  We  refer  you  to  the 
Treasurer's  report  for  the  manner  in/whieh  your  funds  have  been 
expended.    Respectfully  submitted. 

W.  L.  Brown,  Chairman. 
Elder  B.  Bonner  made  a  report  of  his  operations,  which 
<bade  fair  to  be  productive  of  much  good,  and  was  satisfactory 
to  the  Association. 

RETAILING    ARDENT    SPIRITS. 

The  query  from  Corinth  church  was  taken  up,  viz : 
"Is  aehurch  in  order  that  holds  members  in  its  fellowship  who 
iire  engaged  in  retailing  ardent  spirits  to  use  as  a  beverage  ?    If  not, 
what  should  be  done  with  such  a  church  ?" 

Answer,  "Labor  with  them.  Try  to  show  them  the  error  of 
their  course,  and  reclaim  them  if  possible,  If  they  persist,  with- 
draw from  them." 

SPARTANBURG   ASSOCIATION. 

Philadelphia,  Sulphur  Springs,  Limestone  and  Buffalo 
churches  were  dismissed — the  three  first  to  aid  in  the  forma<- 
tion  of  the  Spartanburg  Association,  and  the  fourth  or  last 
to  join  the  King's  Mountain  body  again. 

We  find  in  the  report  of  the  committee  on  Obituaries  a 
notice  of  the  demise  of  Deacon  John  Byars,  of  Macedonia 
church,  "who  had  been  for  nearly  fifty  years  a  fearless  soldier 
of  Christ,  and  the  bright,  Christian  example  of  his  life  is  a 
pattern  worthy  of  our  immitation.  lie  had  filled  the  office 
of  deacon  for  years  with  satisfaction  and  spiritual  profit  to 
his  brethren,  and  his  death  is  deeply  felt  by  all  with  whom 
he  was  associated.  He  died  on  the  30th  of  November,  1874, 
in  the  full  triumph  of  christian  faith." 

Good  Reports. — All  the  objects  of  associational  work 
appears  "well  represented  on  the  Minutes  of  the  session  in  the 
shape  of  good  reports. 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  prepared  by  Elder 
•T.  G.  Carter,  on  the  final  'perseverance  of  the  saints  in  grace. 


U2  BROAD  KI VER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION; 

The  76th  session  met  at  Zion  Hill  church,  Spartanbunr 


tr 


county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  by 
Elder  J.  M.  Williams,  Matt.  vii.  24.  The  union  consists  at 
tiiis  session  of  21  churches  and  a  membership  of  2720. 

The  body  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  J.  G, 
Carter,  Moderator,  J.  R.  Jefieries,  Clerk,  and  W,  L,  Goude- 
lock,  Treasurer. 

Messengers. — Elders  J.  G.  Landrum  and  J,  S,  Ezell 
were  received  as  messengers  from  the  Spartanburg  Associa- 
tion, recently  formed. 

The  body  proceeded  to  appoint  the  usual  committees  on 
the  different  objects  of  sssociational  work. 

REPORT  OF  THE  EXECUTIVE  BOARD. 

The  present  board  was  organized  September  18th,  1875,  a»d  held 
f  rar  meetings  during  the  year.  Your  board  have  to  regret  that  we 
failed  to  get  a  quorum  together  at  two  regular  meetings,  conse- 
quently we  could  transact  no  business.  We  earnestly  recommend 
to  your  body  to  appoint  such  brethren  on  the  board  as  will  devote- 
so  much  of  their  time  and  talents  to  the  interests  of  the  board  as  it 
demands.  We  have  to  say  that  we  have  not  been  able  to  put  a  mis- 
sionary in  the  field  this  year  for  the  lack  of  funds,  there  not  having 
been  any  means  provided  at  your  last  meeting  for  the  use  of  this 
board.  Our  Bro.  Burgess,  for  whom  you  raised  one  hundred  dollars 
in  cash  and  pledges,  to  be  used  for  his  education  during  this  year, 
failing  to  avail  himself  of  this  fund,  we  decided  that  we  could  not 
use  it  for  any  other  purpose.  We  therefore  asked  the  churches  to 
give  us  one-half  the  amount  pledged  by  them  for  Bro.  Burgess,  to  be 
used  in  doing  missionary  worfe,  but  the  churches  did  not  respond  ; 
and  this  accounts  for  the  reason  why  we  have  no  missionary  in  the 
field.  We  have  aided  Unity  church  to  the  amount  of  fifteen  dollars 
in  supporting  their  pastor,  and  regret  that  we  were  not  able  to  aid 
them  more.  We  endeavored  at  one  time  to  have  monthly  preaching 
at  the  stand  occupied  by  Bro.  Bonner  last  year,  but  on  account  of 
not  getting  a  sufficient  number  of  the  Board  together  to  transact 
business,  we  failed.  At  one  time  we  authorized  Bro.  Brown  to  go 
to  the  neighborhood  of  Mount  Tabor,  in  Union  county,  to  try  to 
establish  a  preaching  place  on  the  south  side  of  Pacolet,  where  there 
is  no  church  for  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  below,  but  on  account  of  the 
flood  which  was  on  the  third  Sunday  in  June,  he  was  prevented 
from  reaching  his  appointment,  since  which  time  we  have  had  no 
board  meeting.  We  recommend  that  you  adopt  some  plan  of  syste- 
matic beneficence,  monthly  or  quarterly,  for  the  use  of  this  board. 
We  refer  you  to  the  Treasurer's  account  for  the  manner  in  which 
your  funds  have  been  expended.  J.  R.  Jefferies, 

For  the  Board. 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  143 

THE  CONDESCENSION  OF  CHRIST. 

"Greater  love  hath  no  man  than  this,  that  he  lay  down 
ihis  life  for  his  friends."     Our  blessed  Savior  did  this  on  Cal- 
vary for  a  lost  and  ruined  worid,  and  after  Jlis  resurrection 
commissioned  His  disciples,  and  bade  them.  "Go  ye  into  all 
the  world  aud  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature.     He  that 
believeth  and  is  baptized,  shall  be  saved  ;  but  he  that  belie v- 
■eth  not,  shall    be  damned."     The   Apostle    Paul    inquires : 
■"And  how   shall   they  preach    except  they  be  sent .  ?  as  it  is 
written,  'How  beautiful  are  the  feet  of  them  that  preach  the 
Gospel   of  peace,  and  bring  glad  tidings  of  good  things  !'  " 
It  is  certainly  the  duty  of  the  churches  to  contribute  of  their 
means   with  which   God  has  blest  them  to  send    the  Gospel 
into  every  dark  nook  and  corner  of  the  world,  where  it  has 
not  heretofore  been  sent,  and  to  hold  up  the  hands  of  those 
who  are  engaged  in  propagating  and  contending  for  the  true 
faith  as  once  delivered  to  the  saints.     In  looking  at  the  ope- 
rations of  the  executive  board  of  the  Broad  River  Associa- 
tions, we  are  reminded  of  an  old   problem   brought  to  our 
attention  in  our  juvenile  or  school-boy  years:  "If  a  frog  leaps 
into  a  well  sixty  feet  deep,  and  in  endeavoring  to  get  out  he 
leaps  two  feet  up  and  falls  back   two  aud  a  half  feet  every 
time  he  makes  an  effort,   how   long  will    he  be  engaged  in 
aojain  ^ettino;  to  the  surface  ?"     We  think  he  misHit  continue 
through  the  ceaseless  ages  of  eternity  to  make  efforts  of  that 
kind,  and  never  extricate  himself  from  the  dilemma  in  which, 
for  the  want  of  proper  caution,  he  has   placed  himself.     In 
like  manner  the  executive  board  of  the  Broad  River  Associ- 
ation will  find  out  that,  under  the  regime  of  former  years, 
their   efforts  to  evangelize    even   the  waste   and  meo-lected 
places  within  the    bounds  of  the    Association    will  prove  a 
failure,  let  alone  the  making  of  a^^ressive  movements  against 
the    errors   and  irregularities   of  other   sects   of  professing 
-christians.     As   the  day  of  miracles  is   said  to   have  passed 
(and  taking  it  for  granted   as  true,)   it  will   require  a  much 
larger  amount  of  funds  thau  has  heretofore    been  raised  by 
the  churches  to  procure  the  necessary  appliances  to  make 
headway  against  those  already  hugely  in    the  ascendency , 
and  well  fortified  and  established  iu  the  positions  they  now 


144  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION". 

occupy.  It  will  require  the  best  talent  that  can  be  brought 
to  the  front,  and  well  skilled  workmen  not  only  in  theology 
but  in  strategy  as  well,  to  make  the  desired  impression,,  and 
td  break  up  systems  which,  although  considered  heterodox. 
and  unscriptural,  are  yet  backed  up  by  their  advocates  with 
every  needed  appliance  that  money   and  talent  can  procure. 

Deaths. — We  see  noticed  in  the  Minutes  of  this  session, 
the  demise  of  two  worthy  deacons,  Brethren  Edward  Lip- 
scomb, of  Goucher  Creek  church,  and  Lemuel  C.  Clements, 
of  Arrowood  church.  They  had  both  adorned  their  profes- 
sion, it  is  said,  and  purchased  to  themselves  great  boldness- 
in  the  faith,  and  have  now  entered  upon  their  eternal  rest 
which  remains  for  the  people  of  God." 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  prepared  by  Bro„ 
J.  R.  Jefferies,  on  the  teachings  of  Christ. 

The  session  was  characterized  by  efforts  in  behalf  of  the 
different  objects  of  associational  work,  on  each  of  which 
there  were  good  reports  made  to  the  body. 

The  77th  session  met  at  Friendship  church,  Spartanburg 
county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  by 
Elder  T.  J.  Taylor,  John  ix.  4.  Mount  Joy  church  was  ad- 
mitted into  the  union.  Membership  of  the  21  churches  in 
confederacy,  2656. 

The  Association  organized  by  electing  Elder  J.  M.  Wil- 
liams, Moderator,  Bro,  J.  K.  Jefferies,  Clerk,  and  W.  L. 
Goudelock,  Treasurer. 

After  making  the  usual  appointments  of  committees, 
&c,  the  following  resolution  was  adopted  : 

THE   EMPLOYMENT   OF   AN  EVANGELIST. 

That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Association  that  our  board  ought  to 
employ  an  evangelist  lor  the  whole  year  to  preach  to  the  destitute 
places  in  our  bounds,  and  the  board  is  hereby  requested  to  employ, 
such  evangelist  and  arrange  for  his  carrying  on  the  work,  and  to 
secure  good  religious  literature  out  of  the  funds  of  the  Association, 
and  let  the  evangelist  act  as  colporteur  and  make  regular  returns  to 
the  board  of  sales  of  books  and  moneys  collected. 

Bro.  Mens;  offered  the  following  as  arnendatorv  of  the 
above : 

That  the  pastors  of  the  respective  churches  be  requested  to  preach 
missionary  sermons  and  take  up  collections  and  forward  the  funds 
thus  collected  to  the  board  between  this  time  and  the  first  of  January 
next,  for  the  purpose  of  employing  a  missionary  within  the  bounds 
of  our  Association,  which  was  adopted. 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  145 

Bro.  W.  Allen  then  moved  that  a  collection  in  cash  and 
pledges  be  taken  up  for  associational  missions,  which  was 
done,  amounting  to  $63.20.  The  Treasury  being  nearly 
empty,  and  the  board  consequently  unable  to  go  into  any 
extensive  operations,  we  have  no  grounds  of  expectation  that 
much  could  be  done  the  present  associational  year,  and  there- 
fore will  not  copy  the  report  of  the  Executive  Board  made 
at  this  session,  but  defer  further  notice  of  their  operations 
until  the  next  year. 

The  session  of  this  year  seems  to  have  been  a  pleasant 
one,  and  characterized  by  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  body  to 
forward  all  the  different  objects  of  associational  work. 

Deaths. — The  committee  on  Obituaries  report  the  de- 
mise of  Elder  A.  Padgett,  ot  Sandy  Springs  church,  who 
departed  this  life  February  2d,  1877.  Also  the  death  of  our 
venerable  brother,  Isaac  Peeler,  of  Mount  Ararat  church, 
who  had  been  a  deacon  for  fifty  years,  and  at  the  age  ot 
near  ninety-nine  laid  oft  the  armor  of  his  warfare,  at  the 
command  of  his  blessed  Master,  to  go  up  higher. 

Remarks. — We  knew  Elder  Alanson  Padgett,  formerly 
of  the  Green  River  Association,  and  esteemed  him  as  a 
worthy  minister  of  the  Gospel  ot  Christ.  He  was  the  father 
of  Dr.  B.  Pf.  Padgett,  deceased,  who  served  the  people  ot 
Rutherford  county  in  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State, 
and  had  some  reputation  as  a  school-teacher  and  dentist. 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  session  was  prepared  by 
Bro.  John  R.  Jefreries,  on  the  nature,  design,  qualifications  and 
(Jades  of  the  deaconship. 

Bro.  Jefferies  is  a  layman,  but  wields  an  able  pen-1— gen- 
erally views  matters  and  things  from  a  common-sense  stand- 
point— and  is  never  chargeable  with  heterodoxy  or  error  ot 
any  kind.  He  is  the  worthy  and  expert  Clerk  of  the  Asso- 
ciation, and  generally  keeps  his  records  faultless. 

The  78th  session    was   held  at   Pacolet  church,  Union 
county,  S.  C.     The    introductory  sermon   was  preached  by 
Elder  J.  E.   Burgess,   Matt.   xvi.   21.     Cowpens  church,  on 
the  Air-Line  Railroad,  was   admitted, — making  a   union  of1 
22  churches,  and  a  membership  of  2899. 

The  bodv  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  T.  J. 
*19 


146  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Taylor,  Moderator,  Bros.  John  R.   Jefferies,  Clerk,  and  "W. 
L.  Goucleloek,  Treasurer. 

THE  STATE  BOARD  REPUDIATED. 

The  usual  routine   business  was   transacted,  when  the 
following  came  before  the  body  for  consideration  : 

Whereas,  We  feel  dissatisfied  with  the  working  of  the  State 
Board.     Therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  dispense  our  missionary  funds  under  the  au- 
spices of  our  own  Board. 

The  following  resolution   by  Bro.  J.  R.    Jefferies  was 
adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  communi- 
cate with  the  agent  of  the  State  Board  and  set  forth  our  plan  for 
collecting  and  disbursing  funds  for  the  said  board,  and  enclose  the 
resolution  just  passed  by  this  body. 

The  Executive  Board  reported  as  follows  : 

The  new  Executive  Board  was  organized  October  29th,  1877,  and 
held  six  meetings  during  the  year.  In  accordance  with  the  resolu- 
tion passed  by  your  body  at  its  last  meeting  the  Board,  after  proper 
correspondence  with  various  brethren,  employed  Bro.  J.  H.  Yarboro 
for  one-half  of  his  time  as  a  missionary  and  colporteur,  at  a  salary  of 
three  hundred  dollars.  We  have  had  preaching  regularly  at  Mount 
Tabor  since  May,  and  Bro.  Yarboro,  with  the  assistance  of  Bro.  W- 
L.  Brown,  has  constituted  a  church  at  Hampton  City.  In  addition 
to  this  work  our  missionary  has  visited  and  preached  in  nearly  all 
the  churches  within  our  bounds.  We  have  placed  in  the  hands  of 
our  colporteur  $45.15  worth  of  books,  upon  which  we  will  realize  10 
per  cent. 

We  recommend  to  your  new  board  the  importance  of  carrying 
out  the  plans  of  the  present  board  during  the  remainder  of  the  year. 

We  call  the  attention  of  the  brethren  of  the  churches  who  made 
pledges  at  our  last  meeting,  and  urge  them  to  redeem  them  immedi- 
ately. Your  board  base  their  operations  on  these  pledges,  and  if 
they  are  not  redeemed  the  finances  of  the  board  will  be  very  much 
crippled.  If  all  these  pledges  are  collected,  there  will  still  be  a  defi- 
cit of  thirty  or  forty  dollars  in  carrying  out  this  year's  operations. 
We  recommend  to  your  body  the  propriety  of  placing  in  the  hands 
of  your  new  board  kinds  sufficient  to  meet  this  deficiency. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  your  present  board  has  spent  all  the 
money  in  their  hands,  we  recommend  to  the  new  board  the  neces- 
sity of  concentrating  all  of  their  efforts  on  Mount  Tabor  and  Hamp- 
ton City.  We  believe  that  earnest  efforts  should  be  made  to  sustain 
preaching  at  these  two  points. 

Brethren,  believing  that  we  have  done  something  with  your 
means  to  advance  the  Master's  cause,  we  hope  you  will  take  courage 
and  go  boldly  forward  in  this  great  work  of  supplying  the  destitute 
places  with  the  Gospel. 

Place  good  and  discreet  men  on  your  board :  aid  them   with 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  147 

your  prayers  and  sustain  them  with  your  money,  that  they  may 
press  forward  and  build  up  all  the  waste  places  in  our  bounds. 

Respectfully  submitted,  J    R.  Jeffkkiks,  Chairman. 

We  shall  see  what  we  shall  see  of  the  operations  of  an- 
other year. 

Deaths. — The  demise  of  Deacons  Absalom  Ward,  Jef- 
ferson Mabry  and  A.  Aiken,  bold  soldiers  of  the  cross,  are 
noticed  in  the  Minutes  of  this  session. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Bro.  Lewis  Meng,  on  the  importance  of  teaching  our  peculiar 
principles  and  tenets  as  Baptists.  A  brief,  but  very  appropri- 
ate and  sensible  letter. 

The  79th  session  was  held  at  State  Line  church,  Spar- 
tanburg county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preach- 
ed by  Elder  T.  J.  Taylor,  Num.  xiii.  30. 

Grassy  Pond  Cherokee  Creek,  and  New  Pleasant,  new 
churches,  and  Pleasant  Grove  and  Bivingsville,  dismissed 
from  the  Spartanburg  Association,  were  admitted  into  this 
body  as  constituent  members.  The  union  now  consists  of 
27  churches,  with  a  membership  of  3145. 

The  body  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  J.  G.  Car- 
ter, Moderator,  Bros.  J.  R.  Jefteries,  Clerk,  and  W.L.  Goud- 
elock,  Treasurer. 

The  usual  routine  business  was  then  transacted,  when 
Elder  A.  W.  Lamar,  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  State 
Board,  addressed  the  Association  in  behalf  of  State  Missions, 
after  which  Bro.  L.  Meng  offered  the  following  resolutions  : 
1st,  Revolved,  That  we  undertake  to  raise  within  our  bounds, 
during  ihe  next  associational  year,  the  sum  of  twenty  cents  per  mem- 
ber, for  the  objects  fostered  by  this  body. 

2d,  Resolved,  That  our  Executive  Board  be  instructed  to  prepare 
and  print  in  the  Minutes,  a  table,  showing  what  amount  this  will 
take  for  each  church  to  raise,  and  that  they  visit  the  churches,  make 
addresses  on  the  objects  of  this  Association,  and  aid  in  raising  the 
part  of  each  church. 

3d,  Resolved,  That  the  objects  to  which  we  recommend  this 
money  to  be  applied,  are  Foreign  Missions,  State  Missions,  Home 
Missions,  and  the  education  of  our  young  ministers;  and  further, 
that  each  church  shall  have  the  right  to  say  to  which  of  theseobjects 

her  contributions  shall  be  applied. 

4th.  Resolved,  That  all  contributions  from  churches  in  our 
bounds  shall  be  forwarded  through  the  Executive  Board. 

5th,  Resolved,  In  case  any  work  is  needed  in  our  bounds,  our 
board  be  instructed  to  advise  with  the  State  Board  about  it. 


148  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

The  foregoing  resolutions,  after  being  properly  discuss- 
ed, were  adopted,  and  if  their  provisions  were  applied  and 
complied  with  by  the  several  churches  in  the  Association 
would  be  nearly  sufficient  to  raise  a  fund  of  six  hundred  dol- 
lars, which,  if  expended  annually  within  the  bounds  of  the 
old  Broad  River  Association  on  the  different  objects  of  asso- 
ciational  work  which  she  has  in  charge,  would  begin  to  look 
like  business.  But  will  the  churches  respond  to  the  call  ? 
We  think  it  hardly  probable,  and  until  we  know  more  about 
it  will  stand  a  little  in  doubt.  Let  us  however  be  hopeful, 
and  go  on  with  our  investigation.  Let  us  first  see  what  the 
brethren  of  the  Executive  Board  have  to  say  in  their  report: 

The  new  Executive  Board  of  the  Broad  River  Association  was 
organized  September  9th,  1878,  and  held  six  meetings  during  the 
association al  year.  Your  board  has  aided  Unity  church  to  the 
amount  of  <?!!),  has  paid  Bro.  Yarboro  balance  on  salary  of  §268.80, 
and  has  collected  and  turned  over  to  Bro.  Burgess  §35  on  pledges 
made  at  Pacolet  last  year,  and  has  now  on  hand  §88.77.  We  feel 
under  obligations  to  aid  Cowpens  church  to  the  extent  of  our  ability, 
and  would  recommend  to  the  new  board  the  propriety  of  aiding  it 
to  the  amount  of  §25. 

Brethren,  we  feel  that  as  a  board  we  are  doing  nothing  for  the 
promotion  of  our  Father's  Kingdom,  and  would  submit  to  your  wis- 
dom the  propriety  of  changing  our  plan  of  action.  We  think  that 
the  way  could  be  opened  to  bring  about  a  reconciliation  between  this 
body  and  the  State  Board,  and  feel  assured  that  our  mite  put  into 
the  general  treasury  and  dispensed  under  its  auspices,  would  do 
more  effectual  service.  We  trust  that  your  action  may  tend  to  bring 
about  this  desirable  end. 

We  have  a  great  many  pledges  in  our  hands  that  remain  unpaid, 
and  we  urge  the  brethren  to  meet  all  their  pledges  immediately,  in 
order  that  our  work  may  not  be  hindered. 

Respectfully  submitted. 
L.  Meng.  Secretary.  J.  R.  Jefferies,  Chairman. 

Deaths. — The  demise  of  Elders  J.  Lee,  Wade  Hill,  of 
Green  River  Association,  and  B.  Bonner,  of  the  Spartanburg 
Association,  is  noticed  in  the  report  of  the  committee  on 
Obituaries.  (See  biographical  notices  of  same  in  this  work.) 
The  jNTew  Prospect  church  reports  the  death  of  Deacon  Wil- 
liams. 

A    PLEASANT    SESSION. 

The  session  seems  to  have  been  an  interesting  one,  char- 
acterized by  harmony  and  brotherly  love.  All  the  objects  of 
associational  work  appear  to  be  represented  as  usual. 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  149 

The  80th  session  was  held  at  Cedar  Springs  church., 
Spartanburg  count}-,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
delivered  by  Elder  W,  II.  Strickland,  Psalms  116.  The 
union  consists  of  28  churches.     Membership,  3210, 

Organized  by  electing  Elder  T,  J,  Taylor,  Moderator, 
J.  R,  Jeiferies,  Clerk,  and  W,  L.  Goudeloek,  Treasurer. 

Beaver  Dam,  a  new  church,  was  admitted  into  the  union 
nt  this  session, 

A    CORDIAL    RECEPTION. 

Bro.  E,  C,  Allen  offered  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  adopted :  ' 

Whekeas,  We  recognize  in  our  midst  the  face  of  Elder  W.  H» 
•Strickland,  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  State  Mission  Board, 

JZesolved,  That  we  extend  to  him  a  hearty  welcome,  and  earn- 
estly endorse  and  will  heartily  support  the  work  in  which  he  is 
engaged.  # 

Bro,  Strickland  replied,  accepting  the  compliment  and 
■ottering  his  assistance.  He  for  fifteen  minutes  urged  the 
claims  of  the  Baptist  Courier,  and  distributed  some  copies  of 
the  paper  among'  the  brethren.  Remarks  were  made  by 
Elders  W\  L.  Brown  and  G.  S.  Anderson,  tavoring  the  pat- 
ronage of  the  Courier  by  the  brethren. 
The  Executive  Board  reported  ; 

The  new  board  was  organized  October  7th,  1879,  and  held  four 
meetings  during  the  year. 

We  have  aided  Cowpens  church  to  the  amount  of  $25  for  build- 
ing purposes.  We  have  turned  over  to  Bro.  A.  W.  Lamar,  agent  of 
State  Board,  $125.86,  of  which  amount  $100.86  were  paid  to  Elder  M. 
D.  Jefieries,  our  Missionary,  on  his  salary.  We  have  paid  to  Elder 
T.  J.  Taylor  $38.10  for  the  education  of  W.  T.  Tate,  a  licensed 
preacher.  We  have  paid  to  Elder  J.  E.  Burgess  $0  on  former  sub- 
scription for  education.  We  have  collected  from  all  sources,  inclu- 
ding cas-h  on  hand  at  last  report,  $263.61,  and  we  have  now  on  hand 
$83.15.  We  are  happy  to  state  that  the  board  is  in  full  sympathy 
with  the  operations  of  the  State  Board.  We  co-operated  with  this 
board  in  our  missionary  work  during  the  past  year,  and  have  realized 
great  benefit  from  the  union  effected  between  our  board  and  the 
State  Board.  Elder  M.  D.  Jefiei its,  the  missionary  provided  for  us 
by  the  State  Board  has,  by  his  earnest  labor  and  godly  deportment, 
greatly  endeared  himself  to  our  people. 

A\re  find  in  the  report  of  our  missionary  the  following 
recommendation : 

Might  it  not  be  well  to  have  a  missionary  in  each  section  of  your 
Association?  We  submit  this  recommendation  to  the  favorable  con- 
sideration of  your  body. 


150  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCTATTOSr. 

We  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  your  body  that  Elder  J.  L.  ■  Vassv 
of  the  Spartanburg  Association,  made  voluntary  appointments* 
throughout  our  Association,  and  aided  us  greatly  in  raising  funds 
for  the  State  Board,  for  which  services  we  feel  that  he  is  entitled  to- 
your  heart-felt  thanks.  We  are  happy  to  have  with  us*  the  Corre- 
sponding Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  State  Board.  We  recom- 
mend him  and  his  work  to  your  prayerful  consideration. 

We  have  the  pleasing  of  stating  to  your  body  that  the  plan 
adopted  at  our  last  meeting  for  collecting  funds  for  missions  has  re- 
sulted in  the  collection  of  $189.10.  The  following  named  churches,. 
El  Bethel,  Grassy  Pond,  Pacolet  No.  2,  Cowpens,  and  Mount  Joy, 
raised  their  full  quota.  We  recommend  that  a  similar  plan  be  pur- 
sued during  the  next  year,  and  that  a  more  earnest  effort  be  made  to 
raise  funds. 

In  retiring,  your  board  feel  bound  to  thank  God  for  the  work 
accomplished  during  the  past  year,  and  take  courage  for  the  future. 

Respectfully  submitted. 
Lewis  Meng.  Secretary.  J.  R,  Jefferies,  Chairman. 

Remarks. — While  copying  the  foregoing  report,  our 
mind  and  thoughts  were  engaged  in  the  discussion  of  the 
question,  "-What  is  the  best  method  or  plan  to  adopt  to  raise 
the  necessary  funds  to  successfully  carry  on  missionary  ope- 
rations ?  If  the  Association  or  churches  in  their  individual 
capacity  attempt  to  assess  any  amount,  however  small,  upon 
the  membership,  there  will  always  be  found  some7and  often- 
times not  a  few,  ready  to  oppose  such  action  as  tyrannical  and 
oppressive,  and  contrary  to  that  boasted  freedom  and  inde- 
pendence generally  claimed  by  Baptists,  and  savoring  too 
much  of  popish  domineering  over  the  rights  and  privileges 
of  the  people.  If  they  contribute  anything  in  the  direction 
of  Gospel  support  or  of  missionary  operations  it  must  be  of 
their  own  free  will  and  consent — a  free  will  offering  to  the 
Lord  ;  for  it  is  said  lie  loves  a  cheerful  giver,  and  conse- 
quent! v  what  is  obtained  by  coercion  or  unwillingly  extorted, 
is  but  little  less  than  a  sheer  abomination  in  the  eye  of  God, 
and  should  therefore  not  be  used.  Well,  this  notion  being 
greatly  mixed  with  truth,  as  well  as  often  being  prompted 
bv  a  covetous  disposition,  we  ask  such  if  it  is  not  right  and 
fully  in  accord  with  the  teaching  of  the  New  Testament, 
that  nl!  who  have  been  favored  with  the  glad  tidings  of  the 
Gospel  should  contribute  of  their  means  as  God  may  have 
blest  them  to  spread  the  Gospel  throughout  the  world,  that 
those  sitting  in    darkness  should  receive  the  light?     And  if 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  151 

«o,  what  plan  would  they  prefer?  If  they  can  devise  a  bet- 
ter system  of  beneficence  than  that  suggested  of  giving  small 
•amounts  annually  (which  they  will  doubtless  feel  it  their 
duty  often  to  enlarge)  as  God  may  enable  them,  contributed 
■as  a  whole  at  the  end  of  the  .year  or  in  -small  amounts 
(monthly  or  weekly  in  the  mite  boxes  or  otherwise,  then 
they  ought  to  be  heard.  We  felt  much  gratified  at  the,  result 
•of  the  year's  operations,  and  as  the  same  scheme  is  put  on 
foot  for  another  year,  w-e  look  forward  with  pleasing  antici- 
pations: We  were  greatly  disappointed  last  year,  Hope  we 
?nay  not  be  in  the  next 

Deaths. — In  the  Minutes  of  this  session  we  find  an 
obituary  notice  of  Bro.  Woodward  Allen,  who  died  April 
3d,  1880,  at  his  residence  near  Cedar  Springs,  Spartanburg 
county,  S,  C,  (See  biographical  notice.)  We  also  find  a 
notice  of  Bro.  James  K.  Finch,  who  was  an  accepted  Chris- 
tian .•  he  was  a  member  of  Cedar  Springs  church  for  27 
years,  he  was  a  deacon  for  a  number  of  years,  and  was  dili- 
gent in  all  his  Master's  work.  He  was  regular  in  his  attend- 
ance, and  liberal  in  the  support  of  the  church  and  Sabbath 
School,  In  his  death  the  church  has  lost  a  worthy  member, 
and  the  community  has  been  deprived  of  an  honest  man  and 
a  noble  citizen. 

Bro,  Finch  lived  to  the  mature  age  of  77  years,  and 
during  this  long  life  set  many  noble  examples  worthy  to  be 
copied. 

Bro.  Robert  White,  of  the  same  church,  departed  this 
life  on  the  18th  of  February,  1880.  He  lived  a  consistent 
Christian  life  for  sixty-one  years.  He  was  everything  that 
could  be  expected  of  a  Christian — steadfast  in  purpose,  strong 
in  the  faith,  and  hopeful  of  his  final  reward.  During  his 
long  life  he  continued  an  active  member  of  the  church,  and 
took  a  firm  stand  in  the  Sabbath  School  cause,  and  in  neither 
was  his  seat  found  vacant,  unless  from  providential  causes. 
He  was  a  deacon  of  the  Cedar  Springs  Baptist  church  for 
fifty-nine  years,  discharging  the  duties  of  his  office  well. 
Being  a  man  of  temperate  habits,  he  lived  to  the  ripe  old  age 
of  97.  The  rich  fragrance  which  lingers  around  a  life  thus 
spent,  will  long  rise  like  precious  incense  to  shed  its  bless- 
ings all  around. 


152  BEG  A  D  KI VEE  BAPTIST  A  SSOCT  ATIGN,. 

Remarks. — We  made  the  acquaintance  of  Bro.  White* 
in  the  year  18-38,  at  the  session  held  that  vear  at  Long  Creek, 
church,  and  have  met  him  at  several  sessions  of  the  body 
cilice  that  time,  and  have  enjoyed  the  hospitalities  of  his- 
home  (having  stopped  with  him  on  one  occasion.,)  and  we 
never  knew  of  one  who  was  more  a  lover  of  hospitality,  a 
lover  of  all  good  men — solder,  just,,  holy,  temperate.. 

Knowing  Bro.  Allen  for  many  years,  and  having  been 
kindly  entertained  under  his  hospitable  roofr  we  are  able  to 
say  the  same  of  him. 

The  Cedar  Springs  brethren  were  remarkable  for  their 
intelligence  and  great  moral  worth.  Deacon  J.  W.  Cooper,, 
the  Walkers  and  Barnets  will  long,  be  bad  in  remembrance; 
although  the  most  of  the  "old  guard"  have  long  since  cross- 
t'd  over  the  river,  and  are  now  basking  under  the  shade 
of  the  trees  of  the  paradisiacal  world. 

The  81st  session  met  at  Corinth  church,  Spartanburg, 
county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  by 
Elder  A.  MeA.  Pittman,  from  Phil,  iii.  18. 

The  body  organized  bv  electing  Elder  W.  M„  Foster- 
Moderator,  Bro.  J.  R.  Jefferies,  Clerk,  and  W.  L.  Goudelock,, 
Treasurer. 

Clifton  church  was  then  admitted  into  the  confederacy 
of  churches.  Whole  number  of  churches,  29 ;  member- 
ship, 3223. 

The  body  proceeded  to  appoint  committees  on  the  asso- 
ciational  business.  Quite  a  number  of  distinguished  minis- 
ters were  received  from  other  bodies.  Elders  W.  L.Brown. 
J.  L.  Vass,  Charles  Manly,  D.D.,  J.  G.  Land  rum  ?  Prof.  J.  B. 
Patrick,  R.  0.  Sams,  etc. 

COOPEK    LIMESTONE   INSTITUTE. 

Elder  J.  G.  Landrum  was  requested  to  address  the  Asso- 
ciation on  the  claims  of  the  Cooper  Limestone  Institute  at 
11|  o'clock  to-day,  which  request  he  complied  with.  The 
speaker  referred  feelingly  to  the  life  and  labors  of  the  late 
Dr.  Thomas  Curtis,  at  Limestone  Springs  and  in  the  Broad 
River  Association,  giving  a  short  history  of  the  wa}T  in  which 
the  property  came  into  the  possession  of  the  Baptists  as  a 
seat  of  education,  urging  the  brethren  to  patronize  the  In- 
stitute. 


BROAD  RIVER  BAT/TIST  ASSOCIATION.  153 

The  following  resolution  was  offered  by  Elder  T.  J.  Tay- 
lor, and  unanimously  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  we  rejoice  to  learn  that  the  Cooper  Limestone 
Institute,  for  the  education  of  young  ladies,  will  open  at  an  early 
day,  and  heartily  recommend  it  to  the  favorable  consideration  of 
those  who  have  daughters  or  wards  to  educate. 

The  Moderator  introduced  Capt.  J.  B.  Patrick,  of  the 
Greenville  Military  Institute,  who  set  forth  the  plan  of  his 
school,  and  gave  the  reason  why  the  military  feature  was  in- 
corporated into  the  government  of  his  school. 

Elder  Charles  Manly,  D.D.,  President  of  the  Furman 
University,  was  next  introduced  by  the  Moderator,  who  ad- 
dressed the  Association  in  the  interest  of  the  University. 
Remarks  were  made  hy  Elder  J.  L.  Vass  and  Prof.  J.B.Pat- 
rick. A  collection  was  taken  by  Elder  Vass  for  the  use  of 
the  University  amounting  to  one  hundred  dollars. 

Prof.  R.  0.  Sams  spoke  in  behalf  of  Cooper  Limestone 
Institute,  and  Elder  T.  J.  Taylor  advocated  the  claims  of  the 
Greenville  Female  College.  Elder  W.  L.  Brown  distributed 
some  copies  of  the  Baptist  Courier,  asking  for  subscriptions 
.  Remarks  were  made  by  Elder  J.  C.  Hudson,  and  Capt. 
J.  B.  Patrick. 

Remarks. — The  reader  will  see  at  a  glance  the  different 
objects  wanting  patronage,  and  all  well  calculated  to  assist 
in  rolling  on  the  good  work  of  culture,  evangelization  and 
progress  generally.  It  is  these  institutions  that  tend  so 
much  to  the  improvement  of  the  people,  and  give  character 
to  the  denominations  which  keep  them  as  a  ball  continually 
in  motion.  How  great  the  contrast  will  appear  in  associa- 
tional  work,  by  taking  a  retrospective  view  of  half  a  century. 
It  may  well  be  said  by  our  Pedo-Baptist  friends — there  is  a 
great  future  for  the  Baptists  ! 

It  wras  resolved  by  the  body  to  spend  half  an  hour  in 
devotional  exercises,  and  Dr.  Manly  was  requested  to  address 
the  Association  on  the  importance  of  praying  for  God's  bless- 
iugs  during  seasons  of  drought  and  despondency  such  as 
we  are  now  undergoing. 

THE    PEOPLE    SUFFERING    GREATLY    FROM    DROUGHT. 

Dr.  Manly  spoke  eloquently,  showing  that  God  is  in 
every  thing,  and  when  His  children  trust  Him  and  take  Him 
in  partnership  with  them,  that  He  will  bless  them  and  send 
the  early  and  latter  rains  to  cause  the  earth  to  bring  forth 
sustenance  for  them. 

20 


134  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

PRAYER  FOR  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

On  motion  of  Elder  Taylor,  Dr.  Manly  was  requested 
to  lead  the  Association  in  special  prayer  for  the  healing  of 
our  wounded  President,  which  duty  was  performed  with 
deep  feeling,  making  deep  and  sad  impressions  on  the  con- 
gregation. 

STATE    MISSIONS. 

The  hour  having  arrived  for  the  discussion  of  State  Mis- 
810ns,  Dr.  Manly  appeared  for  Elder  W.  H.  Strickland,  Cor- 
responding Secretary  of  the  State  Mission  Board,  setting 
forth  the  necessities  of  the  work  of  State  Missions,  and  com- 
mended the  Association  for  the  liberal  contributions  made 
to  this  board  during  the  past  year.  Remarks  were  made  by 
Capt.  J.  B.  Patrick^  T.  J."  Taylor,  W.  M.  Foster  and  W.  T. 
Tate. 

The  Executive  Board  then  reported  : 

Your  Board  held  eight  meetings  during  the  year,  and  have  re- 
ceived from  all  sources  $2(33.65  and  paid  out  $224, — for  an  itemized 
account  of  which  you  will  see  the  Treasurer's  Report. 

The  Board  employed  Bro.  G.  W,  Manly,  a  theological  student, 
through  the  State  Mission  Board  ;  for  a  statement  of  his  work  we 
refer  you  to  his  own  report,  which  is  herewith  submitted.  We  can 
not  speak  too  highly  of  Bro.  Manly's  work  and  of  his  earnest  chris- 
tian deportment  among  us.  We  commend  him  as  a  high-toned 
Christian  and  faithful  laborer  in  the  Master's  vineyard. 

We  have  also  employed  Bro.  W  T.  Tate  to  work  in  t>he  north- 
ern section  of  our  Association.  For  a  statement  of  his  work  we 
refer  you  to  his  report  herewith  annexed.  As  Bro.  Manly  says,  the 
work  is  too  great  for  any  one  man.  We  earnestly  recommend  that 
each  section  of  the  Association  employ  a  missionary  in  its  own 
bounds.  The  middle  section  has  already  notified  us  of  its  intention 
to  do  so.  and  we  feel  assured  that  they  will  be  amply  repaid  for  the 
funds  so  expended.  In  retiring,  your  Board  desire  to  express  their 
thanks  to  those  churches  that  have  aided  us  with  their  means,  and 
beg  to  remind  those  that  have  not  done  so,  that  giving  to  the  Lord's 
cause  is  as  much  a  christian  duty  as  praying  or  hearing  the  preached 
Word. 

We  sincerely  believe  that  our  God  will  prosper  that  people  most 
who  do  this  duty  best,  and  if  we  who  profess  to  be  God's  peculiar 
people  refuse  the  bread  of  life  to  those  who  sit  in  the  regions  of  dark- 
ness, are  we  not  hiding  our  light  and  hoarding  our  means  to  our 
own  hurt?  We  pray  you,  brethren,  in  God's  name  arouse  from  this 
lethargy,  from  this  sleep  of  death,  and  do  something  now  for  Jesus, 

who  hath  redeemed  you. 

Respectfully  submitted.  J.  R.  .Tefkeries,  Chairman. 

Lewis  Meng,  Secretary. 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  155 

G.  W.  Manly,  missionary,  made  his  report : 

Number  of  days'  labor,  60;  number  of  revivals,  5  ;  number  of 
sermons  preached,  58  ;  number  of  conversions,  40;  number  of  relig- 
ious talks,  44  ;  number  of  miles  traveled,  544. 

In  these  revivals  I  was  only  assisting  pastors,  and  they  had  other 
helps.  I  have  found  the  field  entirely  too  large  for  one  man.  The 
idea  presented  by  some  members  of  the  Board  to  have  a  missionary 
in  each  section,  is  a  good  one.  Only  by  adopting  that  plan  can  the 
work  be 'done  as  it  should  be.  Many  neglected  neighborhoods,  and 
many  of  the  churches  even,  need  missionary  work  ;  the  latter  need 
it  for  the  reason  that  they  are  not  in  full  sympathy  with  mission 
work  in  general. '  «  G.  W.  Manly. 

W.  T.  Tate,  missionary,  made  his  report,  as  follows : 

Number  of  days'  labor,  30;  number  of  sermons  preached,  32  ; 
number  of  baptisms,  13;  number  of  prayer-meetings,  24;  number  of 
religious  visits,  54  ;  amount  collected,  $9.57. 

I  find  by  traveling  through  your  territory  that  your  bounds  are 
too  large  for  one  man  to  do  the  work,  and  think  it  would  be  a  wise 
plan  for  each  section  to  have  its  own  missionary,  and  then  each 
could  have  more  preaching,  and  enable  the  missionary  to  do  his 
work  more  thoroughly.       ,  W.  T.  Tate. 

THE  LAST    ADDRESS    BY    ELDER    J.    G.    LANDRUM,    BEFORE    BROAD  ' 

RIVER    ASSOCIATION. 

Upon  the  adoption  of  the  foregoing  report  of  the  Execu- 
tive Board,  Elder  J.  G.  Landrnm  macle  some  feeling 
remarks,  urging  the  brethren  to  go  before  .the  churches  and 
stir  them  up  to  their  duty  in  giving  liberally  ;  alluded  feel- 
ingly to  his  being  permitted  again  to  be  with  us;  gave  us 
some  parting  words  of  encouragement,  and  begged  us  to 
train  up  the  children  to  the  duty  of  giving  liberally  to  the 
cause  of  Christ. 

By  request,  Bro.  Landrum  led  the  Association  in  prayer, 
and  the  body  extended  to  him,  Dr.  Manly  and  Prof.  Patrick 
the  parting  hand.  On  the  19th  day  of  January  succeeding 
this  pleasant  interview  with  his  brethren  of  the  Broad  River 
Association,  Elder  John  Gill  Landrum  was  summoned  to 
the  great  association  of  angels  and  the  spirits  of  just  men 
made  perfect  in  the  upper  and  better  world. 

Deaths. — The  demise  of  the  following  brethren  is  no- 
ticed in  the  Minutes  of  this  session,  viz  :  Eli  Bryant  was  born 
in  1806,  and  died  March  18th,  1881.  He  joined  the  Bethesda 
church  in  1841,  and  lived  a  consistent  Christian  39  years.  In 
his  death  the  church  has  lost  a  bright  light.  He  was  much 
loved  bj'  the  church  and  all  who  knew  him.     At  the  Master's 


156  BEO AD  BIVEB  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

call,  in  the  74th  year  of  his  age,  he  laid  down  his  armor  and 
passed  over  the  river,  "where  the  wicked  cease  from  trou- 
bling and  the  weary  are  at  rest." 

Deacon  W.  L.  Brown  was  a  member  of  Brown's  Chapel 
church,  was  a  deacon  two  years,  was  a  faithful  worker  for 
his  Master,  and  was  diligent  in  every  good  work  ;  he  was 
regular  in  his  attendance  on  his  church  and  liberal  in  its 
support,  and  zealous  in  working  for  the  Sabbath  School.  He 
departed  this  life  in  January,  1881. 

John  F.  Clary  was  a  member  of  Providence  church 
e'ght  years.  He  was  an  acceptable  Christian,  and  was  ever 
ready  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  his  church  and  Sunday 
School ;  his  heart  and  purse  was  ever  open  to  aid  in  any 
christian  work.  We  feel  that  his  place  will  be  hard  to  fill. 
He  was  kind  and  obliging  as  a  neighbor,  as  a  husband  and 
lather  he  was  affectionate  and  tender.  He  died  July  17th, 
1881. 

Reflections. — When  our  friends  die,  we  only  speak  of 
their  virtues  arid  good  traits  of  character  manifested  in  their 
lives,  for  the  good  of  others  yet  on  the  stage  of  action,  to  be 
emulated  and  copied  for  their  benefit.  The  Apostle  Paul 
said,  "For  scarcely  for<a  righteous  man  will  one  die ;  yet 
peradventure  for  a  good  man  some  one  would  even  dare  to 
die."  This,  he  said,  to  illustrate  the  great  condescension 
and  kWidness  of  Christ  in  suffering  on  the  cross  to  make 
atonement  for  His  people.  That  if  "a  righteous  man" — one 
of  strict  integrity,  who  had  committed  no  crime  against  the 
welfare  of  the  community,  were  about  to  be  put  to  death 
through  the  iniquity  and  oppression  of  unjust  judges,  or  in 
any  other  way  were  in  danger  of  losing  his  life — there  would 
scarcely  be  found  a  person  who  would  consent  to  die  in  his 
stead ;  though  perhaps  for  "a  good  man;"  one  of  extensive 
philanthropy,  whose  life  had  been  and  was  likely  to  be  a 
public  blessing,  some  one  might  even  venture  to  lay  down 
his  life.  Yet  this  most  rare  instance,  the  very  summit  of 
human  affection,  falls  immensely  beneath  the  love  of  God  to 
us.  It  is  sufficient  for  us,  when  our  friends  are  taken  from 
us  by  the  ruthless  hand  of  death, 

"To  be  to  their  errors  a  little  blind, 
And  to  their  virtues  ever  kind." 

We  are  all  frail  mortals,  and  must  soon  leave  the  walks 


BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  157 

of  the  living.  How  proper  and  fitting,  therefore,  that  every 
thing  savoring  of  envy  or  malice  should  be  buried  from  our 
Sight  or  even  recollection  in  the  deepest  grave  of  oblivion. 
If  we  can  say  but  little  that  is  good,  let  us  refrain  from  say- 
ing anything  evil :  for  every  one  to  his  own  Master  standeth 
or  falleth.  May  God,  our  Maker  and  Benefactor,  save  us 
from  the  oreat  sin  ot  selfishness! 

The  82d  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association  met  at 
Grassy  Poud  church,  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  The  intro- 
ductory sermon  was  preached  by  Elder  T.  J.-  Taylor,  from. 
James  ii.  20.     Theme — Faith. 

.Elder  T.  J.  Taylor  was  elected  Moderator,  and  Bro.  J, 
R.  Jefferies,  Clerk. 

Nazareth,  a  new  church,  was  admitted.  Number  of 
churches  in  union,  30.     Number  of  members,  3524. 

Remakes. — Several  messengers  from  corresponding 
bodies  were  on  hand  attending  to  their  mission  work,  and 
everything  appeared  to  be  moving  along  harmoniously,  con- 
sidering the  stringency  of  the  times  in  regard  to  monetary 
matters.  We  believe  the  amounts  desired  for  the  different 
objects  were  raised  and  handed  in  to  the  treasury. 

Remarks  were  made  very  pertinently  by  Elders  Griffith, 
Pitman,  Foster  and  others,  to  stir  up  the  pure  minds  of  the 
brethren,  by  putting  them  in  rememberance  of  their  relig- 
ious duties  with  apparent  good  effect. 

We  attended  the  session  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  old 
brethren  whom  we  have  not  seen  in  many  years;  but  ah  ! 
the  places  that  once  knew  them  will  knoV  many  of  them  no 
more  forever  !  They*  have  crossed  over  the  river  of  death 
and  entered  the  great  association  above.  Their  places  are 
now  filled  by  their  youthful  descendants,  very  few  of  whom 
we  were  able  to  recognize.  We  felt  sad  and  somewhat  as 
though  out  of  place;  still  we  thank  God  that  He  is  pushing 
forward  His  great  work  of  evangelizing  the  world  through 
other  agencies.  As  the  old  and  superannuated  go  to  their  re- 
wards, others  probably  much  better  endowed,  mentally  and 

physically,  are  ready  to  take  their  places,  and  still  the  work 
goes  on. 

We  here  close  our  labors  as  to  the  journalistic  part  of 
our  undertaking. 


158         KING'S  MO [JNTAIlSf  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ORGT^lSriZA^TIOIsr 

OF  THE 

KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Believing  the  formation  of  a  new  Association  would 
prove  conducive  to  the  religious  interests  of  many  of  the 
Baptist  brotherhood,  and  the  improvement  of  the  many  young 
ministers  included  within  the  limits  of  the  several  churches 
recently  dismissed  from  the  Broad  River  body  for  this  object: 
— by  placing  them  at  the  helm  of  assoeiational  business, — 
and  believing,  too,  that  it  will  prove  a  god-send  to  the  old 
and  infirm  brethren  who  yet  desire  to  be  present  at  the  an- 
nual meetings  of  the  Association?  but  by  reason  of  age  and 
of  the  extensive  boundary  of  the  Broad  River  body  tbey  are 
precluded  from  doing  so,'  and  inasmuch  as  the  contemplated 
division  of  the  old  body  leaves  ample  scope  for  all  who  wish 
to  work  in  the  Lord's  vineyard — whether  in  the  old  or  in  the 
new  body- — the  following  churches^  by  their  delegates,  did 
therefore  on  the  7th  day  of  November,  1851,  meet  together 
in  convention,  at  Double  Springs  church,  in  Cleveland 
count}',  N.  C,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  new  Associa- 
tion, to-wit : 

1.  Buffalo— B.  E.  Rolling,  Elijah  Turner,  Wm,  Hamriek,  John 
Turner.  , 

2.  Sandy  Run— Edmund  Jones,  Robert  MeBrayer,  Edward  P. 
Jones,  Caleb  Bridges. 

3.  Zion — Thotnas  Dixon,  John  Bailey,  William  Covington. - 

4.  Zoar— William  H.  Green,  John  R.  Logan,   Barnett  Putnam, 
Wm.  H.  Cabaniss.  , 

o.  Double  Springs— Joseph  Suttle,  Milton  Gold,  Dan'l  P.  Gold. 

6.  Bethel — Dove  Panned,  George  Hamriek.  Wm.  H.  Hardin. 

7.  Boiling  Springs — David  Hamriek,   David  D.  Durham,   Asa 
Hamriek. 

8.  Mount  Sinai— John  Webber. 

9.  New  Bethel— Richard  T.  Hord,  Anderson  S.  Elam. 

10.  Mount  Pleasant— George  W.  Rollins,  Merida  Jolly,  Wm.  B. 
Hamea, 


"KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  159 

91.  Broad  River —Not  represented. 

12,  Beaver  Dam — William  McSwain,  Elijah  Eskridge. 

13.  Pleasant  Hill — Moore  Martin,  Marcus  L.  Boss. 

The  convention  sermon  was  preached  by  Elder  Dove 
iiTannel,  of  Bethel  church.  Text :  John  xvii.  chap,  and  part 
•of  1st  verse-:  "The  hour  is  come." 

The  body  was -called  to  order  by  Elder  Joseph  Suttle, 
■and  on  his  motion  Elder  Thomas  Dixon  was  appointed  Mod- 
erator, and  Bro.  J.  R.  Logan,  Clerk. 

The  letter  of  dismission  from  the  Broad  River  body  was 
■then  read  and  the  names  of  churches  and  delegates  enrolled 
sis  above  set  forth. 

Bro.  J.  R.  Logan  read  before  the  body  a  paper  intended 
as  a  Constitution,  prepared  by  him  for  the  Association,  which 
was  adopted,  and  which  reads  as  follows  : 

'CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    KING'S    MOUNTAIN    BAPTIST    ASSOCIATION, 

We,  the  united  Baptist  churches  of  Jesus  Christ,  located 
.in  North  and  South  Carolina,  having  obtained  letters  of  dis- 
mission from  the  Broad  River  Baptist  Association,  and  hav- 
ing all  been  baptized  upon  a  profession  of  faith  in  Christ, 
are  desirous  of  reciprocal  union.  We  therefore  propose  to 
maintain  the  Order  and  Rules  of  an  Association  according 
to  the  following  system  : 

1.  The  Association  shall  be  formed  of  members  elected  by  the 
•different  churches  in  our  union,  who,  on  producing  certificates  from 
their  respective  churches,  in  support  of  their* election,  shall  be  enti- 
tled to  a  seat. 

2.  The  members  thus  chosen  and  convened,  shall  be  known  by 
the  name  of  the  King's  Mountain  Association. 

3.  The  Association  thus  organized  shall  elect  by  ballot  a  Mode- 
rator and  Clerk,  both  of  whom  shall  be  representatives  of  some  one 
of  the  churches  in  union,  and  when  so  elected  shall  hold  their  offices 
for  one  year. 

4.  This  body  shall  have  no  coercive  power  to  "lord  it  over  God's 
heritage,"  or  to  infringe  on  any  of  the  internal  rights  of  the  churches 
in  union  (while  they  remain  orderly,)  but  shall  only  act  as  an  Advi- 
sory Council  in  matters  respecting  their  internal  concerns.  Never- 
theless, it  becomes  necessary  to  establish  some  uniform  rules  of  pro- 
ceeding, in  order  to  foster  and  maintain  union  and  Christian  fellow- 
ship. 

5.  When  offences  committed  by  one  church  against  another 
shall  occur,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  offended  church  to  labor  with 
the  offender  for  satisfaction  ;  and  in  case  of  failure  to  obtain  redress, 
then  call  in  the  aid  of  one  or  two  other  churches  in  union  to  assist 


160  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

i«  the  labor  of  reconciliation,  and  if  satisfaction  (in  the  opinion  of 
the  helps  thus  called  inj  cannot  be  obtained,  then  the  aggrieved 
church  may  bring  the  case  before  the  Association,  which  is  bound 
to  act  on  it. 

6.  Also,  when  a  serious  difference  arises  in  an  individual  church 
which  the  members  thereof  cannot  reconcile,  they  shall  call  in  the 
assistance  of  one  or  two  more  churches  in  union  to  assist  in  the  work, 
and  if  satisfaction  (in  the  opinion  of  the  helps)  is  not  obtained,  the 
case  may  be  brought  before  the  Association,  which  body  shall  take  it 
up  and  act  upon  it. 

7.  And  should  an  individual  member  or  members  be  excluded 
from  any  church  in  our  union,  if  he,  she  or  they,  after  maturely  con- 
sidering their  own  conduct  and  the  act  of  the  church,  shall  feel 
themselves  aggrieved,  they  may  appeal  to  the  church  for  a  new  hear- 
ing, and  if  there  cannot  be  a  reconciliation  obtained,  the  church  may 
call  in  the  aid  of  one  or  two  9ister  churches;  and  if,  in  the  opinion 
of  the  helps  thus  called  in,  the  member  or  members  have  been  un- 
justly excluded,  the  case  may  come  before  the  Association  to  be 
acted  on  ;  Provided  always,  in  all  cases  of  grievances,  reference  has* 
been  had  to  the  18th  chap,  of  the  Gospel  by  St.  Matthew  and  other 
Scriptures  which  respects  discipline,  for  the  bringing  to  trial  and 
determining  on  all'cases  of  grievances  ;  and  the  Association  will  not 
take  up  any  case  of  the  above  kind  unless  the  above  proceedings 
have  been  previously  had  thereon. 

8.  Every  church  in  the  union  having  a  membership  not  exceed- 
ing fifty  in  number,  shall  be  entitled  to  a  representation  of  two  del- 
egates in  the  Association  ;  and  the  number  exceeding  one  hundred 
members  and  does  not  exceed  one  hundred  and  fifty,  they  shall  be 
entitled  to  three  delegates;  when  over  one  hundred  and  fifty  and 
not  exceeding  two  hundred  members,  four  delegates  are  to'beallowed. 

9.  The  delegates  thus  chosen  and  sent,  are  to  be  recommended 
to  the  Association  by  letter  from  the  churches  by  whom  they  are 
sent,  which  shall  be  expressive  of  their  fellowship  ;  also  the  number 
of  those  baptized,  received  by  letter,  dismissed,  excommunicated, 
and  the  number  deceased  since  the  last  Association,  and  the  total 
number  in  fellowship. 

10.  Churches  producing  letters  of  dismission  from  other  Associ- 
ations, and  by  petitioning,  and  also  newly  constituted  churches  who 
shall,  upon  examination,  be  found  orthodox  and  orderly,  by  petition- 
ing by  letter  and  delegation,  may  be  received  into  this  union,  and 
the  same  shall  be  manifested  by  the  Moderator  of  the  body  giving 
them  the  right  hand  in  token  of  fellowship. 

11.  The  Association  shall  have  power  to  exclude  any  church 
from  this  union  who  shall  depart  from  the  orthodox  principles  of 
the  Gospel. 

VI.  The  Association  shall  endeavor  to  furnish  the  churches  with 
the  Minutes  of  their  proceedings,  and  to  enable  it  to  do  so,  each 
church  shall  be  required  to  contribute  such  sums  as.may  be  proper 
and  necessary. 

13.  Every  query  sent  by  a  church  who  has  labored  on  it  and 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  161 

fails  within  herself  in  getting  a  satisfactory  decision  on  it,  shall  be 
taken  up  by  the  Association,  and  not  otherwise. 

14.  Any  church  in  our  union  having  a  member  possessed  with 
preaching  talents,  who  is  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  may  invite 
brethren  from  one,  two,  or  more  sister  churches,  the  aid  of  their 
minister  and  other  members  who,  in  conjunction  with  the  church, 
shall  examine  the  candidate,  and,  if  deemed  qualified,  may  license 
him  to  preach  the  Gospel  among  the  churches  at  discretion,  which 
shall  be  reported  to  the  Association  and  entered  on  the  Minutes. 

15.  Any  church  having  a  licensed  preacher  whom  they  deem 
worthy  of  credentials,  shall  call  a  presbytery  of  ministers  of  our 
union  to  officiate  ;  and  a  presbytery  thus  called  shall,  in  all  cases  of 
ordinations,  both  of  ministers  and  deacons  and  the  constitution  of 
churches,  be  regulated  by  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 

16.  The  Association  shall  not  adjourn  until  they  have  gone 
through  the  business  regularly  brought  before  them,  exceptin  extra- 
ordinary cases  ;  but  no  act  of  the  body  shall  go  into  operation  until 
the  close  of  the  session,  but  may  be  reconsidered  or  changed. 

17.  The  Minutes  of  the  Association  shall  be  read  and  corrected 
(if  need  be,)  and  signed  by  the  Moderator  and  attested  by  the  Clerk 
before  the  Association  rises. 

18.  The  Association  shall,  in  all  cases,  be  governed  by  a  majority 
of  the  members  present. 

19.  Voting  shall  be  confined  exclusively  to  the  body  in  all  acts 
respecting  their  internal  concerns;  but  the  Association  may  admit 
any  of  the  distant  brethren  in  the  ministry  as  assistants  who  may 
be  present  at  the  time  of  their  sitting. 

20.  The  Association,  when  convened,  shall  be  governed  by  a 
regular  and  proper  decorum,  which  they  are  authorized  to  form  for 
themselves.  , 

21.  No  alteration  or  amendment  shall  be  made  to  this  Constitu- 
tion, unless  the  same  be  concurred  in  by  a  majority  of  the  members 
present  in  two  successive  sessions  of  the  Association. 

RULES   OF   ORDER. 

1.  The  Association  shall  be  opened  and  closed  by  prayer. 

2.  The  Moderator  shall  be  deemed  a  judge  of  order,  and  shall 
have  a  right  to  call  to  order  at  anj7  time  ;  also  it  shall  be  his  duty  to 
see  that  the  Rules  of  Order  are  attended  to  ;  to  take  the  opinion  of 
the  Association  on  all  questions  properly  brought  before  the  body. 

3.  Any  member  not  bring  satisfied  with  his  decision  on  any 
point  of  order,  may  appeal  to  the  Association  on  the  same  day  the 
decision  is  made,  but  at  no  other  time. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Clerk  to  keep  a  regular  record  ot 
the  transactions  of  the  Association. 

5.  But  one  person  shall  speak  at  a  time,  and  he  shall  rise  to  his 
feet  and  obtain  leave  of  the  Moderator  •  and  when  he  has  donespeak- 
ing  he  shall  sit  down,  and  shall  not  speak  more  than  twice  on  the 
same  question,  nor  more  than  twenty  minutes  at  one  time,  unless 
he  obtain  permission  of  the  Association. 

6.  The  Moderator,  when  addressed  for  leave  of  speech,  shall  sig- 
nify the  same  bv  naming  of  them,  or  otherwise. 

21 


162  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

7.  No  member  shall  be  interrupted  while  speaking,  unless  he 
depart  from  the  subject  on  hand,  or  use  words  of  personal  reflection, 
or  with  a  view  of  calling  to  order  for  some  particular  purpose.  Any 
motion  made  and  seconded,  shall  come  under  the  consideration  of 
the  Association,  except  withdrawn  by  him  who  made  it. 

8.  Every  case  taken  up  by  the  Association  shall  be  decided  first, 
before  another  is  offered. 

9.  When  anything  is  taken  up  by  the  Association,  after  allowing 
time  for  the  debate,  the  Moderator  shall  put  the  question  ;  and  those 
in  favor  of  the  thing  proposed  shall  rise  to  their  feet,  and  those  op- 
posed to  it,  keep  their  seats  :  the  Moderator  shall  procure  the  decis- 
ion before  those  standing  take  their  seats. 

10.  No  person  being  a  member  shall  depart  the  service  of  the 
Association  without  leave. 

11.  The  appellation  of  ''Brother"  shall  be  used  in  our  address  to 
each  other. 

12.  The  names  of  the  members  shall  be  called  as  often  as  neces- 
sary. 

13.  No  member  shall  be  indulged  in  any  practice  that  has  a  tend- 
ency to  interrupt  in  the  time  of  a  public  speech,  or  any  other  practice 
that  would  dishonor  the  Association. 

14.  The  Moderator  shall  be  entitled  to  the  same  privilege  of 
speech  as  any  other  member,  provided  he  appoints  some  other  mem- 
ber to  his  seat  while  he  is  speaking,  but  shall  not  vote  unless  the 
Association  be  ecmally  divided  :  then  he  shall  give  the  casting  vote. 

15.  Any  person  breaking  these  rules  of  order  shall  be  reproved 
at  the  discretion  of  the  Association,  but  only  on  the  day  the  breach 
was  made. 

ABSTRACT  OF  PRINCIPLES. 

1.  We  believe  in  one  only  true  and  living  God — the  Father,  Son 
and  Holy  Ghost— three  in  one. 

2.  We  believe  that  the  Scriptures  of  The  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments are  the  Word  of  God,  and  the  only  true  rule  of  faith  and  prac- 
tice. 

3.  We  believe  in  the  doctrine  of  original  sin. 

a.  We  believe  in  man's  im potency  to  recover  himself  from  the 
falh  n  state  he  is  in  by  nature,  by  his  own  free  will  and  holiness. 

5,  We  believe  in  the  doctrine  of  Election,  through  sancliiic-ation 
of  the  Spirit  and  belief  of  the  Truth. 

0.  WTe  believe  that  sinners  are  justified  in  the  sight  of  God,  only 
by  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ. 

7.  We  believe  the  saints  shall  persevere  in  grace,  and  not  finally 
fall  away. 

8.  We  believe  that  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  are  ordi- 
nances of  Jesus  Christ,  and  that  true  believers  are  the  only  proper 


*  Notf.— At  the  session  of  1871,  held  with  Bethel  church,  the  8th 
article  of  the  foregoing  Rules  of  Order  was  changed,  so  as  to  read  : 
We  believe  that   Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  are  ordinances  of 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  163 

subjects;  and  conscientiously  do  believe  the  true  mode  is  *imraer- 
sion. 

9.  We  believe  in  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  general  judg- 
ment. 

10.  We  believe  that  the  joys  of  the  righteous  and  the  punishment 
of  the  wicked  will  be  eternal. 

11.  We  believe  that  no  minister  has  a  right  to  the  administrate  n 
of  the  ordinances,  only  such  as  has  been  called  of  God,  as  was  Aaron, 
and  regularly  baptized  and  approved  of  by  the  church,  and  come 
under  the  imposition  of  hands  by  the  Presbytery. 

12  *  We  believe  that  none  but  believers  have  a  right  to  the  ordi- 
nances of  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper. 

Bra.  J.  R.  Lagan  moved  that  the  name  of  the  Associa- 
tion be  "King's  Mountain,"  which  was  agreed  to,  and  the 
blank  in  the  Constitution  just  adopted  was  tilled  by  inserting 
that  name. 

Rules  of  Order  and  on  Abstract  of  Principles  were  also 
presented  and  adopted  which  accompanies  the  Constitution. 

The  acting  Moderator  then  announced  the  Association 
as  being  duly  formed,  when,  on  motion  of  Bro.  Elijah  Tur- 
ner, the  body  proceeded  to  ballot  for  officers, ..which  resulted 
in. the  choice  ot  Elder  Thomas  Dixon  for  Moderator,  and 
Bro.  John  R.  Logan  for  Clerk. 

BOUNDARY    OF    THE    ASSOCIATION. 

Before  giving  the  boundary  lines,  it  may  not  be  im- 
proper to  state  that  this  Association  includes  the  historic 
mountain  peak  where  Col.  Patrick  Ferguson,  belonging  to 
His  Britanic  Majesty  was,  on  the  7th  of  October,  1780,  en- 
camped en  route  for  Charlotte,  1\T.  C,  to  put  himself  under 
the  more  safe  protection  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  who  was  aware 
from  the  time  he  evacuated  Gilberttown,  near' the  present 
town  of  Rutherfordton,  that  he  was  being  pursued  by  the 
brave  Campbell — Shelby,  Sevier,  Cleveland,  McDowell,  etc., 
from  the  Nolachucky  country;  and  not  knowing  whether  he 
would  be  able  to  make  the  trip  or  not,  before  being  attacked, 
lie  acted  upon  the  old  but  sound  maxim  that  "discretion  is 
the  better  part  of  valor,"  and  having  great  confidence  in  him- 
self as  a  strategist,  and  believing  that  he  had  found  a  point 
on  his  march  of  such  a  defensive  character  that  no  foe  could 

Jjsus  Christ,  and  that  true  believers  who  have  been  immersed  upon 
a  profession  of  faith  are  the  only  proper  subjects  for  the  Lord's  table. 
*  Article  12  was  at  the  same  time  stricken  out. 


164  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. , 

successfully  assail  him,  he  thought  it  most  advisable  to  turn 
aside  and  remain  there  until  he  could  communicate  with  his 
superior  chiet  and  obtain  a  force  sufficient  for  the  emergen- 
cy. He  took  possession  of  the  little  hill  in  the  name  of  his 
sovereign,  and  called  it  King's  Mountain,  and  said  "he  was 
the  King,  and  that  all  the  devils  out  of  h — 1  could  not  dis- 
lodge him  from  a  fortress  so  impregnable."  He  probably 
never  once  thought  of  being  surrounded  and  pelted  in  front 
and  rear,  and  indeed  on  every  side  as  he  certainly  was,  while 
the  hill  completely  protected  his  assailants  from  the  danger 
of  their  own  bullets  as  they  advanced  upon  him  from  the 
different  sides  of  the  mountain,  firing  as  they  ascended.  But 
so  it  was :  in  a  little  over  an  hour's  hot  work  the  British 
officer  atoned  for  his  folly  by  the  loss  of  his  life  and  the  de- 
struction and  capture  of  his  entire  army  and  military  stores, 
and  the  result  certainly  contributed  largely  to  the  cause  of 
American  independence. 

We  think  the  Association  acted  wisely  in  the  choice  of 
a  name.  King's  Mountain  will  long  be  had  in  remembrance 
by  every  patriot  and  lover  of  religious  liberty ;  and  as  the 
Baptists  were  the  first  to  advocate  religious  liberty  and  op- 
pose the  union  of  church  and  state,  the  selection  was  proper. 
"When  the  King's  Mountain  Association  was  formed  its 
boundary  extended  easterly  to  the  Catawba  valley,  but  since 
the  formation  of  the  South  Yadkin  bodv,  some  of  the 
churches  have  joined  it ;  and  some  the  Catawba  River  Asso- 
ciation, leaving  the  South  Fork  of  the  Catawba  River  as  the 
King's  Mountain  associational  line.  That  line  includes  the 
church  in  the  town  of  Dallas,  in  Gaston  county,  and  also  the 
Long  Creek  church,  extending  southerly  to  the  line  of  the 
York  Association.  Thence  along  the  line  of  said  association, 
the  same  being,  the  Crowder's  and  King's  Mountain  range, 
including  the  King's  Mountain  battle-ground,  and  Antioch 
Church,  on  King's  Creek.  Thence  to  the  mouth  of  Buffalo 
Creek.  Thence  up  main  Broad  River,  passing  Ellis'  and 
Champion's  ferries  to  the  mouth  of  2d  Broad  River.    Thence 

along"  the  said  river  and  with  the  line  ot  the  Green  River 
Association  to  its  connection  with  the  Catawba  River  Hue, 
and  thence  along  the  line  of  that  Association  to  its  begin- 
ning. 


KING7S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.       .       165 

SUMMARY    OF    PROCEEDINGS. 

Bro.  John  R.  Logan  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  Circu- 
lar Letter  to  be  addressed  to  the  churches  in  union,  on  the 
duties  of  church  members  towards  each  other. 

The  committee  on  Correspondence  reported  that  they 
have  had  the  matter  under  consideration,  and  being  fully 
aware  of  the  benefits  arising  from  a  friendly  correspondence 
with  sister  associations,  do  therefore  recommend  that  a 
friendly  correspondence  be  solicited  with  the  several  associ- 
ations following  :  The  Broad  River,  the  Green  River,  the 
Bethel,  and  the  Catawba  River;  and  that  messengers  be 
appointed  by  this  body  to  attend  each  of  the  foregoing  asso- 
ciations, with  requests  that  they  reciprocate  this  proffered 
interchange  of  courtesy. 

CORRESPONDING    LETTER. 

The  King's  Mountain  Baptist  Association — To  her  sisters,  the 
Broad  River,  the  Green  River,  the  Bethel,  and  the  Catawba 
River  Associations — Greeting  : 

Dearly  Beloved  Brethren: — Through  a  kind  turn  of  the 
Providence  of  God,  our  Heavenly  Father,  we  have  been  permitted 
to  meet  together  in  an  associate  capacity,  and  have  enjoyed  a  pleas- 
ant interview.  This  being  the  first  session  of  our  body  since  its  or- 
ganization, it  will  therefore  be  proper  to  inform  those  with  whom 
we  solicit  a  correspondence,  that  we  have  been  detached  from  the 
Broad  River  Association  and  erected  into  a  new  and  distinct  body, 
various  reasons  impelling  us  thereto-,  a  few  of  which  it  may  not  be 
considered  amiss  to  communicate  in  this  letter.  The  Broad  River 
Association,  previous  to  its  division,  was  a  large  body,  extending 
over  a  considerable  area  of  territory,  interspersed  with  several  large 
streams  that  not  nnfrequently,  in  time  of  high  waters,  intercepted 
the  delegates  from  churches  in  their  attempts  at  going  to  and  from 
the  annual  sessions.  Moreover,  the  churches  numbering  upwards 
of  forty,  rendered  the  business  of  the  sessions  arduous  and  often 
complicated,  while  the  delegations  being  consequently  numerous, 
were  therefore  more  burthensome  to  the  citizens  and  brethren  who 
usually  support  such  bodies. 

The  foregoing  reasons,  coupled  with  a  desire  to  be  more  conve- 
niently situated,  and  with  a  belief  that  greater  zeal  and  energy,  with 
a  corresponding  religious  effort,  will  accompany  the  separation,  have 
induced  us  to  make  the  experiment ;  and  we  are  not  without  hope 
that  all  the  advantages  and  desirable  results  so  fondly  anticipated 
will  be  more  than  realized  ;  that  our  churches  will  feel  greater  re- 
sponsibility and  do  more  to  spread  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  that  His  disciples  may  be  greatly  increased  ;  that  the  churches 


166  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION, 

may  be  filled  with  devoted  converts  ;  that  the  kingdom  of  our  Lore? 
may  come  with  great  power  and  glory  until  all  kindred  and  people 
shall  become  the  willing  servants  of  our  Lord. 

The  information  communicated  in  the  letters  from  our  churches 
in  union  go  to  show  that  several  of  them,  during  a  short  space  of 
time  back,  have  enjoyed  gracious  revivals  of  religion,  and  are  made 
to  exclaim  :  ''The  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us,  whereof  we 
are  glad!"  During  the  present  session  our  business  has  been  trans- 
acted in  harmony  and  brotherly  love. 

Our  next  Association  will  convene  with  the  New  Bethel  church 
on  Friday  before  the  4th  Lord's  day  in  October  next  (1852,)  *  *  *  * 
at  which  time  and  place  we  shall  hope  to  receive  your  correspondence. 

May  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all.    Amen. 

Thomas  Dixon,  Moderator. 
J.  R.  Logan,  Clerk. 

The  Broad  River  church  was  dismissed  from  the  Broad 
River  Association  to  aid  in  the  formation  of  the  new  bodv. 
but  failed  in  being  represented.  The  total  membership  rep- 
resented in  the  constitution  was  1825. 

The  second  ami  mil  meeting  in  1852  was  held  at  New 
Bethel  church,  Cleveland  comity,  X.  C.  The  introductory 
sermon  was  delivered  by  Elder  Joseph  Suttle,  of  Double 
Springs.  High  Shoals  and  Mount  Vernon  churches  were 
admitted  into  the  body,  making  15  in  all,  with  a  member- 
ship of  1496. 

The  bod}-  organized  by  re-electing  Elder  Thos.  Dixon, 
Moderator,  and  Bro.  John  R.  Logan,  Clerk. 

^CORRESPONDING    BODIES. 

The  Broad  River,  Green  River,  and  Catawba  River  bod- 
ies were  represented  by  letter  and  messengers,  making  glad 
the  hearts  of  the  Kind's  Mountain  brethren. 

Fast  Day.-*— The  following  was  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  t lie  first  day  of  January  next  be  set  apart  as  a 
flay  of  fasting,  humiliation  and  prayer  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel, 
t  ie  blessings  of  peace  and  unrivaled  piety,  and  tbe  several  churches 
in  union  are  requested  to  meet  at  their  respective  meeting-houses  on 
Chat  day  to  engage  in  religious  worship. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches,  prepared  by  Bro. 
John  R.  Logan,  was  read  and. adopted. 

The  third  annual  session  in  1853  met  at  Boiling  Springs 
church,  Cleveland  <ounty,  N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  preached  by  Elder  Geo.  W.  Rollins,  of  High  Shoals. 

Mount    Paran   and    Corinth,   (new   churches,)    and  Big 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  167 

Spring,  from  the  Green  River  Association,  were  admitted 
into  the  union,  making  18  in  all.  Baptized  since  last  session, 
132.    Aggregate  membershhip,  1666. 

The  body  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  Dove  Pan- 
u ell,  Moderator,  and  Bro.  John  R.  Logan,  Clerk. 

TEMPERANCE    RESOLUTION. 

The  following  resolution  was  introduced  and  referred 
to  the  committee  on  Petitions  and  Queries : 

That  this  Association,  assuming  to  be  nothing  above  an  advisory 
council,  with  a  view  to  the  advancement  of  good  order  and  religion, 
earnestly  recommend  to  the  churches  composing  the  same  by  all 
prudent  means  to  dissuade  the  members  of  our  denomination  from 
the  promiscuous  making  and  vending  of  spirituous  liquors. 

The  committee  reported,. 
That  under  existing  circumstances  they  deem  it  inexpedient  to 
adopt  the  same,  and  recommend  its  rejection:  They,  however,  are 
fully  aware  that  gtreat  and  lamentable  evils  are  the  continual  results 
of  intemperance,  both  in  Church  and  State,  and  therefore  earnestly 
recommend  that  the'members  of  all  our  churches  pursue  a  course 
strictly  in  conformity  with  the  Word  of  God,  as  revealed  in  the" 
Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  which  teaches  men  to 
live  soberly,  righteously  and  godly  in  this  present  evil  world. 

On  motion,  th^  foregoing  report  was  adopted  by  the 
body. 

CHANGE    OF    CONSTITUTION. 

The  same  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  petition 
from  Buffalo  church,  praying  the  alteration  of  the  8th  Arti- 
cle of  the  Constitution  "so  as  to  make  all  ordained  ministers 
a  standing  delegation,"  recommended  that  the  same  be  not 

granted,  which  was  sustained  by  the  body. 

The  following  resolution  was  then  adopted  : 
That  in  lieu  of  any  alteration  of  our  system,  it  is  recommended 
to  the  several  churches  composing  this  body,  and  they  are  hereby 
advised,  to  select  as  their  annual  representatives  their  most  pious  and 
intelligent  members,  and  especially  their  ministers,  to  represent 
them  in  council. 

Missionaries. — The  following  resolution  was  introduced 
by  Bro.  Robert  Priee  : 

Resolved,  That  this  Association  appoint  two  ministers  to  labor, 
each  one  month  or  more,  in  the  destitute  section  of  country  north- 
east of  this  Association  extending  as  far  as  the  Catawba  River,  and 
that  they  be  paid  the  sum  of  twenty  dollars  per  month  by  the  Asso- 
ciation, which  was  adopted. 

Whereupon  the  Association  appointed  Elders  Dove  Pan- 
nell  aiid  Joseph  Suttle  its  missionaries  under  said  resolution. 


168         KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Elder  Thos.  Dixon  then  moved  the  appointment  of  a 
Treasurer,  and  the  sum  of  thirty  dollars  was  raised  by  the 
delegates  for  this  object. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Elder  Dove  Pan n ell  on  the  subject  of  election.  (See  biograph- 
ical notice  of  Elder  Pannell.) 

The  fourth  annual  session  of  1854  met  at  Mount  Sinai 
church,  Cleveland  county,  1ST.  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  preached  by  Elder  Dove  Pannell,  of  Bethel. 

Sandy  Plains  and  New  Prospect  (new  churches)  and 
Bethlehem  and  Long  Creek,  from  the  Broad  River,  were 
admitted — making  a  union  of  22  churches  and  a  membership 
of  2096.  Baptized  since  last  session,  277  members.  The 
following  churches,  viz  :  Zion,  Bethlehem,  Long  Creek,  New 
Bethel,  Mount  Paran,  Big  Spring,  Mount  Vernon,  Double 
Springs  and  Pleasant  Hill  received  the  greatest  accessions  as 
the  proceeds  of  the  revival  of  this  year. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  Dove  Pannell, 
Moderator,  and  Bro.  John  R.  Logan,  Clerk. 

Bogus  Delegates. — Application  was  made  by  pretend- 
ed representatives  of  Ebenezer  church,  within  the  bounds  of 
the  Green  River  Association,  to  join  this  body  which,  after 
some  discussion,  was  referred  to  a  select  committee,  and  af- 
terwards rejected. 

Queries. — Took  up  the  following  queries  : 

1.  '-Is  it  in  accordance  with  Gospel  order  and  the  usage  of  Bap- 
tists for  the  eldership  of  Baptist  churches  to  meet  and  form  presby- 
teries and  constitute  new  churches,  including  in  them  persons  who 
stand  as  excluded  members  of  other  Baptist  churches?'' 

Answer.  '"We  advise  our  churches  not  to  constitute  any  mem- 
ber or  members  into  a  church,  unless  such  member  or  members 
shall  have  been  regularly  dismissed  from  the  church  or  churches  to 
Which  they  may  have  belonged." 

2.  "What  course  shall  be  taken  by  a  church  of  the  Baptist  faith 
and  order  in  reference  to  a  person  who  makes  application  for  baptism 
and  membersbip,  who  has  previously  been  baptized  and  joined  to  a 
Baptist  church  without  the  bounds  of  this  Association,  which  appli- 
cant alleges  he  was  deceived,  not  having  at  that  time  experienced  a 
genuine  conversion,  which  he  now  professes  to  enjoy?" 

Answer.  -'We  advise  our  churches  not  to  rebaptize  any  one  who 
has  been  baptized  by  a  lawful  administrator, of  the  ordinance,  upoii 
a  profession  of  faith." 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  169 

EBENEZER  CHURCH. 

On  motion,  the  Association  rescinded  all  action  in  regard 
to  Ebenezer  church,  and  ordered  that  no  record  of  the  same 
be  entered  on  our  Minutes,  whereupon  the  following  pre- 
amble and  resolution  were  introduced,  and,  after  some  dis- 
cussion, adopted  by  the  body  : 

Whereas,  With  deep  regret  information  has  been  received  by 
this  body  that  the  course  of  action  pursued  by  the  churches  at  Big 
Spring,  Sandy  Bun  and  Bethel— members  of  this  Association — in 
reference  to  the  reconstruction  of  Ebenezer  church,  is  offensive  to 
the  Green  Biver  Association,  to  which  said  church  properly  belongs 
until  regularly  dismissed  therefrom.    Therefore 

Resolved,  That  this  Association,  as  a  body,  greatly  deplores  the 
action  taken  by  said  churches,  and  hereby  admonishes  them,  as  well 
as  al  Lot  hers  belonging  to  our  body,  together  with  any  and  all  our 
ministers,  to  refrain  from  any  interference  in  the  matter  until  the 
case  be  satisfactorily  adjusted  by  the  Green  Biver  Association. 

Remarks. — A  split  had  taken  place  in  Ebenezer  church 
on  the  subject  of  Missions  and  Temperance,  and,  the  mis- 
sionary and  temperance  party  claiming  to  be  the  church, 
proposed  to  join  the  King's  Mountain  Association  while  the 
difficulty  existed,  and  while  the  church  was  an  undismissed 
member  of  the  Green  River  Association.  The  anti-mission 
or  primitive  party  being  a  majority  held  the  meeting-house, 
and  the  others  joined  other  churches. 

Report. — Elder  Dove  Pannell,  missionary  to  Catawba 
Valley,  reported: 

Have  traveled  112  milesr  preached  37  sermons,  delivered  two  lec- 
tures on  Baptism,  labored  26  days,  baptized  two  converts.    Beceived 
from  Pisgah  church  $2,  from  Mount  Gilead  $1. 
Elder  Joseph  Suttle  reported  as  follows  : 

Have  labored  9  days,  preached  18  sermons,  and  baptized  11  con- 
verts, whereupon  the  Treasurer  was  ordered  to  audit  their  respective 
claims. 

The  mission  was  continued  for  the  next  associational 
year,  and  the  same  brethren  engaged  in  the  missionary  work. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was.  prepared  by 
Elder  Thos.  Dixon,  on  the  nature,  design,  and  application  of  the 
atonement  of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  fifth  annual   session  of  1855  met   at  Zion  church, 

Cleveland   county,   N.    C.     The    introductory   sermon  was 

preached  by  Elder  Geo.  W.  Rollins,  of  High  Shoals.     Olivet 

and  St.  John's,   from  the   Catawba  River  Association,  and 
22 


170         KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Lebanon  (a  new  constitution)    were  admitted  into  the  union 
of  churches — making  26  in  all,  with  a  membership  of  2268. 

The  body  organized  by  the  re-election  of  the  same  offi- 
cers as  last  year. 

Missionary  Board. — At  this  session  a  missionary  board, 
consisting  of  J.  R.  Logan,  F.  S.  Ramsour  and  W.  H.  Green 
was  appointed  by  the  body,  which  employed  Elder  Ransom 
P.  Logan  to  labor  by  the  month  in  the  same  field  occupied 
by  Bros.  Pannell  and  Suttle  the  two  past  years. 

Free-will  Offerings. — The  following  resolution  was 
passed  : 

That  the  several  churches  be  requested  to  send  up  their  free-will 
offerings  to  the  next  annual  session,  to  defray  the  expense  of  the 
mission  to  the  Catawba  valley. 

Committee  of  Inquiry. — A  committee  of  brethren,  to- 
wit :  Elder  Thomas  Dixon,  J.  R.  Logan,  William  Hamrick, 
F.  S.  Ramsour  and  Francis  Lattimore  were  appointed  by 
the  body  to  visit  the  High  Shoal  church  and  inquire  respect- 
ing certain  offensive  expressions  contained  in  her  letter  to 
the  Association,  and  labor  for  reconciliation,  with  instruc- 
tions to  report  at  the  next  session. 

SABBATH    SCHOOLS. 

A  good  report  on  Sabbath  Schools  was  made  by  Elder 
Ransom  P.  Logan,  the  Chairman  of  the  committee,  as  follows: 

It  has  truly  been  said  that  upon  the  rising  generation  depends 
the  future  prosperity  of  the  church  of  Christ.  How  important  and 
necessary  then  the  proper  cultivation  and  improvement  of  the 
youthful  mind,  in  a  religious  point  of  view  ! 

As  a  means  for  the  furtherance  and  consummation  of  an  object 
so  desirable,  your  committee  know  of  no  scheme  better  adapted  to 
the  wants  of  our  churches  and  people  than  Sabbath  Schools,  prop- 
erly organized  in  each  one  of  the  churches  throughout  the  bounds 
of  our  Association.  By  organization  we  mean  that  the  schools  he 
superintended  by  a  judicious  and  pious  individual,  chosen  by  the 
churches  themselves,  whose  duty  it  will  be  to  attend  each  meeting 
of  the  schools  and  observe  a  strict  watch  over  the  moral  deportment 
of  the  scholars  in  attendance,  and  preside  over  and  keep  proper 
order  and  decorum  in  the  schools,  and  co-operate  with  those  who 
may  be  selected  by  the  churches  as  teachers,  in  the  choice  of  such 
books  as  may  be  best  calculated  to  educate  and  lead  the  minds  of  the 
pupils  into  the  true  principles  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  And  your 
committee  recommend  as  text-books  for  the  use  of  said  schools  as  of 
first  and  paramount  importance — the  Bible,  the  holy  book  of  God — 
and  next  to  it  such  other  works  compiled  by  our  own  denomination 
as  are  or  may  be  published  for  this  specific  object. 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  171 

Believing,  dear  Brethren,  that  such  a  course  of  religious  train, 
ing  would  meet  the  approbation  of  Him  that  has  required  us  to  train 
up  our  children  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord  and  in 
the  way  they  should  go  while  young,  so  that  when  they  become  old 
they  will  not  depart  from  it,  and  that  each  one  of  you,  without  the 
waste  of  time  on  the  part  of  your  committee  in  bringing  to  your  no- 
tice the  many  incalculable  benefits  and  religious  advantages  that 
must  inevitably  result  from  a  course  of  religious  instruction  and 
reading,  will  be  fully  impressed  with  the  importance  of  at  once  or- 
ganizing schools  in  each  and  every  one  of  the  churches  within  our 
associational  limits.  We  need  therefore  add  nothing  more  than  the 
true  observation,  "A  hint  to  the  wise  is  sufficent." 

Respectfully,  &c.  R.   P.  Logan,  Chairman. 

The  Circular  Letter  on  the  subject  of  31issions  was  pre- 
pared by  Elder  J.  Suttle,  which  was  adopted. 

The  sixth  annual  session  of  1856  met  at  New  Prospect 
church,  Cleveland  county,  ~N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  preached  by  Elder  Thos.  Dixon.  Shelby  church,  dis- 
missed from  the  Broad  River  Association ,  Coucord  from  the 
Green  River,  and  Thessalonica  from  the  Catawba  River, 
were  admitted  into  this  bodv — making  29  churches  in  union, 
and  a  membership  of  2596.  Baptisms  during  the  past  year, 
223. 

Elder  Thos.  Dixon  was  elected  Moderator,  and  Bro.  J. 
R.  Logan,  Clerk. 

Elder  R.  P.  Logan,  Missionary  to  the  Catawba  Valley, 
made  his  report,  as  follows  : 

Have  spent  sixty-one  days  in  the  service  of  the  Association, 
preached  sixty  sermons,*  traveled  763  miles,  baptized  14  converts,  and 
received  in  contributions  from  the  people  on  the  field  of  my  mission- 
ary operations  the  sum  of  $22.95. 

On  motion,  the  report  was  received  as  satisfactory,  and 
the  Treasurer  of  the  Board  directed  to  audit  his  claim  for 
services,  which  wras  done. 

A  resolution  similar  to  that  of  last  session,  calling'  on 
the  churches  for  missionary  contributions  to  sustain  the  mis- 
sionary operations  of  the  board,  was  adopted,  and  D.  Setzer, 
J.  J.  Hicks  and  ¥m.  Roberts  were  appointed  to  employ  a 
missionary,  who  again  engaged  Elder  R.  P.  Logan  another 
year.  And  the  body  appointed  Win,  Roberts,  J.  R.  Logan 
and  F.  S.  Ramsour  a  missionary  board  to  direct  the  mis- 
sionary operations  during  the  next  associational  year. 

Remarks. — Many  persons  thought  the  animus  or  at  least 


1 72  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

ostensible  design  of  this  mission  was  a  sort  of  crusade  against 
Lutheranism,  which  was  the  prevailing  religion  of  that  sec- 
tion of  country — which  religion  was  considered  by  Baptists 
a  perversion  of  the  true  faith  as  once  delivered  to  the  saints. 
And  while  there  were  numbers  of  well  meaning  Christian 
people  among  those  who  wore  the  name  of  Luther,  yet  there 
were  many  more  who  had  greatly  degenerated  from  the  orig- 
inal faith  of  their  great  Founder,  and  became  heterodox  and 
corrupt  as  Lutherans,  so  called,  giving  aid  and  comfort  to 
many  of  the  evil  and  licentious  practices  that  always  prove 
baneful  to  true  religion,  or  even  well  regulated  society. 
Their  lax  church  systems  gave  too  much  tolerance  to  licen- 
tiousness. Drunkenness  and  frivolities  of  various  kinds 
were  too  much  indulged  in  and  suffered,  while  conversion  or 
revealed  religion  was  ignored  and  hooted  at  as  a  mere  chim- 
era of  the  brain,  and  only  insisted  on  by  weak  and  deluded 
fanatics,  These  misguided  people  (mostly  of  German  an- 
cestry) were  greatly  prejudiced  against  those  who  were  sent 
among  them  as  missionaries,  whom  they  generally  derided 
as  ''ignorant  Baptist  dippers."  And  it  was  often  found  im- 
•  practicable  on  the  part  of  such  missionaries  to  get  a  respect- 
ful hearing  from  them,  especially  on  points  of  difference 
they  would  be  glad  to  discuss.  Bigotry,  the  mother  of  per- 
secution, having  blinded  their  eyes  so  completely  they  could 
not  be  reached,  it  would  seem,  unless  by  a  miraculous  inter- 
position. 

As  these  people  manifest  great  fondness  for  things  pe- 
culiar to  their  own  nationality,  we  think  the  better  way 
would  be.  to  send  among  them  a  missionary  that  would  grat- 
ify  them  in  that  respect, — one.  that  could  address  them  in 
their  own  language  if  need  be — and  in  all  things  convince 
them  that  he  "is  a  mau  and  a  brother,"  and,  as  such,  is  will- 
ing to  spend  and  be  spent  in  their  behalf.  Such  might  be 
able,  through  God's  grace,  to  make  an  impression  more  favor- 
ably ;  but  to  send  weak,  uneducated  men  to  labor  among 
such  a  people  is  time  lost,  and  means  wasted  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  Y<jry  little  indeed. 

TEMPERANCE,    GAMING    AND    DANCING. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted  : 
That  we,  as  a  denomination,  believe  thai  the  church  i'a  composed 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  173 

i 

of  spiritual  believers  ;  therefore  we  look  upon  the  practice  of  making, 
(buying  and  selling,  or  using  spirituous  liquors  as  a  beverage,  a  very 
great  evil.     Therefore  we  recommend  our  churches  to  use  all  lauda- 
ble means  to  suppress  the  same. 

In  connection  with  the  foregoing  it  was  further 
Resolved,  That  this  Association,  acting  as  an  Advisory  Council 
in  matters  pertaining  to  the  best  interests  of  the  churches  in  a  relig- 
ious point  of  view,  will  therefore  repudiate  and  at  all  times  discour- 
age practices  of  frivolity,  or,  in  other  words,  civil  mirth,  falsely  so 
■called,  whether  in  the  form  of  gaming,  dancing,  or  playing  at  par- 
ties, and  hereby  caution  our  churches  to  beware  of  practices  so  well 
calculated  to  amalgamate  the  churches  with  the  world." 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  prepared  by 
Elder  Geo.  W,  Rollins  on  the  subject  of  Repentance. 

As  a  chronicler  of  the  acts  of  the  Association,  we  feel 
it  our  duty  to  notice  the  report  of  this  session  on  the  subject 
-of  Sabbath  Schools.  The  body  was  doing  its- best  to  inaug- 
urate schools  in  all  the  churches,  and  to  show  this  we  will 
give  the  report  in  full  as  we  did  in  the  proceedings  of  last 
year. 

SABBATH  SCHOOL  REPORT. 

"While  many  laudable  and  praiseworthy  efforts  are  being  made 
by  the  various  denominations  of  Christians  to  propagate  the  Gospel 
of  Christ;  we  recognize  with  heart  felt  pleasure  the  springing  up  of 
■a  judicious  system  of  Sabbath  Schools,  under  the  fostering  care  of 
our  churches,  as  a  measure  of  paramount  importance  to  the  cause  of 
religion  and  sound  morality;  a  measure  not  only  destined  to  dif- 
fuse blessings  amongst  the  churches,  but  also  calculated  to  improve 
the  future  welfare  of  the  Mtate;  as,  upon  the  rising  generation  prop- 
erly cultivated  depends  the  future  welfare  of  both.  How  necessary 
then,  the  adoption  of  a  proper  system  of  mental  and  moral  training! 
Let  each  parent  composing  the  King's  Mountain  Asssociation,  have 
their  minds  properly  impressed  with  the  wise  admonition  of  one 
who  through  inspiration  said,  'Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he 
should  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart  from  it.'  And 
again,  'bring  up  your  children  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 
Lord.'  What  system  so  well  adapted  tothiscourse  of  religious  train- 
ing as  Sabbath  Schools  superintended  by  pious  and  judicious  Chris- 
tains  ;  with  the  Bible  in  their  lumds  as  a  text-boois  for  the  instruc- 
tion of  those  who  may  be  placed  as  pupils  under  their  care  and 
tuition? 

Your  committee  in  view  of  the  many  fascinating  allurements  so 
often  brought  to  bear  mischievously  upon  the  morals  of  the  young; 
urge  with  greater  earnestness,  the  propriety  of  at  once  adopting 
Sabbath  Schools,  as  a  preventive,  hoping  that  these  churches  which 
may  have  aebdd  upon  the  previous  recommendation  of  this  body,  may 


m  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION, 

continue  to  persevere  in  the  good  work,  while  those  who  have  neg- 
lected to  do  so,  will  give  it  at  least  a  fair  trial. 

Respectfully  submitted,  JNO.  R.  LOGAN,  Chairman, 

The  committee  appointed  to  visit  High  Shoal  Cnurch 
reported  as  follows  : 

That  agreeably  to  appointment  of  time  and  place,  we  met  the 
church  at  High  Shoals,  and  having  conferred  together  relative  to 
the  matter  at  issue.  The  Church  and  her  Clerk,  declared  that  they 
entertained  no  intention  to  cast  reflection  on  the  Association,  or  any 
member  thereof,  by  the  expression  used  in  her  letter  lender  unto 
Cxsar  the  things  that  are  Ccearfs'  &c,  that  they  heartily  deprecate 
any  inferences  that  may  have  been  drawn  therefrom,  prejudicial  to 
former  fellowship  and  intercourse;  and  hope  that  a  continuation  of 
the  same  may  subsist  through  all  time  ;  which  feeling  was  properly 
reciprocated  on  the  part  of  your  committee  in  behalf  of  the  Associa- 
tion. Respectfully  submitted, 

THOS.  DIXON.  Chairman. 

The  committee  to  employ  a  Missionary  again  employed 
Elder  Ransom  P.  Logan  for  three  fourth  of  his  time,  to  labor 
with  the  churches  at  Thessalonica,  Corinth  and  Lebanon. 

The  seventh  annual  session  of  1857  was  held  at  Bi«; 
Spring  Church,  Rutherford  county,  N.  C. 

The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered  by  Elder  Geo. 
"W.  Rollins  of  Sandy  Run. 

The  union  consisted  29  churches:  membership  2648. 
The  number  of  baptisms  since  last  session  188. 

The  Association  was  organized  bv  electing  Elder  Geo. 
W.  Rollins,  Moderator  and  Bro.  Jno.  R.  Logan,  Clerk. 

Elder  Larkin  M.  Berry,  agent  of  Domestic  and  Indian 
Mission  Board  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention,  attended 
this  session  in  aid  of  the  board. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted  : 
Resolved,  "That  it  is  inconsistent  with  the  faith  of  Baptists  to 
invite  Pedo-Baptists  into  our  pulpits  to  exercise  with  us  in  religious 
worship  in  any  way  whatsoever."  "Also  to  receive  persons  into 
fellowship  who  have  been  immersed  by  them  without  re-baptizing 
them." 

It  will  here  be  noticed  that  what  is  called  the  "Land 
mark"  principles,  as  advocated  by  the  Editors  of  the  Tennes- 
see Baptist,  was  well  received  by  the  brethren  of  this  Asso- 
ciation. 

The^  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  prepared  by  Elder 
Alexander  J.  Cansler  of  Shelby,  on  The  design  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  and  the  right/id  recipients  thereof. 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  175 

DISMISSION    OF    MEMBERS. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted  : 
"That  we  advise  the  several  churches  composing  this  Associa- 
tion that  when  they  grant  letters  of  dismission  to  any  of  their  mem- 
bers to  join  other  churches,  that  theyre  quire  the  members  so  dis- 
missed, to  report  him  or  herself,  as  the  case  may  be,  whenever  so 
joined,  by  having  the  certificate  of  the  clerk  of  the  church  receiving 
them  endorsed  on  the  back  of  their  letter,  and  returned  to  the 
church  granting  the  same;  which  report  shall  be  made  within  six 
months  from  the  date  of  the  letter.  And  in  default  thereof; 
said  letter  if  not  returned  to  the  church  first  granting  it,  shall  be 
null  and  void,  and  the  individual  holding  the  same  shall  no  longer 
be  held  in  fellowship." 

Remarks. — The  object  of  the  association  seems  to  be  a 
desire  to  arrive  at  some  degree  of  certainty  as  to  the  correct- 
ness of  the  statistical  accounts  kept  by  the  churches,  as  well 
as  to  prevent  looseness  on  the  part  of  church  members. 
Under  the  old  rule  of  dismissing  members,  hundreds  are  every 
year  dismissed  who  probably  neglect  for  several  years  after, 
to  join  another  church  by  the  letters  they  hold.  All  such 
■are  lost  sight  of  in  making  out  correct  tables  by  the  statis- 
tician. Such  members  are  marked  of  course  as  being  dis- 
missed, and  therefore  not  counted — while  no  other  church 
could  mark  them  as  being  received  while  they  hold  their  let- 
ters in  their  pockets.  The  general  adoption  of  the  rule  pro- 
vided for  in  the  foregoing  resolution  would  tend  greatly  to 
preveut  a  careless  looseness  in  neglecting  to  enroll  on  the 
church-book,  which  all  good  church  members  should  do  as 
soon  as  possibly  convenient,  but  it  would  tend  also  to  the 
advantage  of  the  Baptist  denomination  in  giving  a  more 
certain  clew  to  their  numerical  strength..  We  doubt,  how- 
ever, whether  the  several  churches  have  ever  given  the  reso- 
lution the  attention  its  merits  demand. 

The  eighth  annual  session  of  1858  met  at  Olivet  church, 
Catawba  county,  N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  deliv- 
ered by  Elder  Joseph  Suttle,  of  Double  Springs.  There  are 
in  union  29  churches;  membership,  2648. 

REJECTION  OF  SHELBY  CHURCH. 

In  consequence  of  a  difficulty  having  been  verbally  com- 
municated by  Bro.  David  D.  Durham,  one  of  the  delegates 
from  trie  Shelby  church,  that  she  had  disregarded  the  advice 
of  the  Association  by  inviting  into  her  pulpit  a  Pedro-Baptist 


176  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

minister  to  assist  in  public  worship,  a  motion  was  made  to 
reject  her  delegates  until  the  matter  be  investigated,  which 
was  carried  by  a  vote  of  the  body. 

The  body  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  George 
"W.  Rollins,  Moderator,  and  Bro.  Jos.  W.  Green,  Clerk. 

Remarks. — The  difficulty  between  the  Association  and 
the  Shelby  church  was  afterwards  adjudicated  and  settled  by 
a  council  of  brethren  from  several  of  the  churches  of  the 
Broad  River  and  King's  Mountain  Associations,  which  con- 
vened at  Shelby  by  request  of  said  church,  and  was  organ- 
ized by  the  appointment  of  Elder  Drury  Scruggs,  Chairman., 
and  J.  R.  Logan,  Secretarv. 

The  course  of  action  taken  by  the  church  was  inquired 
into  and  duly  investigated,  after  which  the  council  decided 
that  the-  church  had  acted  properly,  and  had  in  no  wise  de- 
parted from  the  orthodox  principles  of  the  Gospel  or  the 
iisiges  of  the  Baptist  denomination. 

[The  church  at  their  next  conference  meeting  tabled  a 
charge  against  the  prosecuting  delegate  in  the  Association 
and  expelled  him  from  fellowship,  and  at  the  next  meeting 
of  the  Association  applied  for  a  letter  of  dismission,  obtain- 
ed it,  and  joined  the  Broad  River  Association — believing, 
doubtless,  that  they  had  been  unbrotherly  treated  by  the 
King's  Mountain  body.] 

SYMPATHIZING    WITH    J.    R.    GRAVES. 

The  Association,  after  rejecting  the  Shelby  delegates, 
adopted  the  following  : 

Eesolvccl,  That  this  Association  is  greatly  pained  at  hearing  of 
the  recent  misfortune  of  Elder  J.  R.  Graves,  of  the  Tennessee  Bap- 
tist, in  the  shape  of  charges  which,  from,  their  nature,  we  can  only 
regard  as  emanating  from  an  evil  and  malicious,  persecuting  spirit 
on  the  part  of  his  personal  enemies.  We  therefore,  as  a  body,  tender 
to  our  bi other  our  condolence  and  sympathy,  and  hope  that  he  may 
be  preserved  and  continued  under  the  Providence  of  God  in  his 
course  of  great  usefulness  to  the  cause  of  Truth,  in  which  he  has  so 
long  been  engaged. 

Remarks. — This  was  just  after  the  action  of  the  First 
Church,  in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  between  Graves  and  Br.  R.  B. 
C.  Howell,  when  the  former  was  expelled  from  membership. 

FUNDS    FOR    MISSION. 

One  hundred  dollars  or  more  was  raised  for  the  mission, 
the  churches  called  on  for  more  money,  and  a  new  board  ap- 
pointed to  carry  on  the  work. 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  177 

The  ninth  annual  session  of  1859  met  at  Pleasant  Hill 
church,  Cleveland  county,  1ST.  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  delivered  by  Elder  George  W.  Rollins,  of  Sandy  Run. 
The  Lincolnton  church  was  admitted,  making  a  union  of 
30  churches,  and  a  membership  of  3090. 

Elder  Larkin  M.  Berry  made  his  first  appearance  in  the 
Association  as  a  delegate. 

In  organizing  the  body,  Elder  L.  M.  Berry  was  elected 
Moderator,  and  Bro.  Jno.  Ii.  Logan,  Clerk. 

The  subjects  of  Missions,  Sabbath  Schools  and  Temper- 
ance engaged  the  full  attention  of  the  body  at  this  session. 

THE    SHELBY    CHURCH    DISMISSED. 

The  church  at  Shelby  through  her  delegates  applied  for 
a  letter  of  dismission  to  join  the  Broad  River  Association, 
which  was  granted,  and  the  following  resolution  was  adopted 
by  the  Association  : 

That  the  difficulties  reported  in  last  year's  Minutes,  as  existing 
in  the  Shelby  church,  have  been  removed  by  said  church  adopting 
the  advice  given  her  by  the  council  called  there  to  investigate  the 
same. 

Report. — The  following  is  the  report  of  the  committee 
on  Temperance,  which  was  adopted  : 

We,  the  committee  to  report  on  Temperance  to  the  King's  Moun- 
tain Association,  beg  leave  to  say  that  we  are  of  the  opinion  that  the 
church  is  the  place  to  give  the  most  effective  check  to  the  evils  of 
intemperance,  and  we  are  of  the  opinion  that  it  will  be  right  and 
proper,  and  not  inconsistent  with  any  of  our  privileges  or  liberties, 
nor  with  the  Word  of  God,  for  this  Association  to  hereafter  refuse  to 
receive  any  church  into  the  union  of  this  body  without  said  church 
have  incorporated  into  its  rules  one  forbidding  its  members  to  make, 
buy,  sell,  or  use  as  a  common  beverage  intoxicating  liquors. 

After  Ae  adoption  of  the  foregoing  report,  the  subjoin- 
ed resolution  was  introduced  and  adopted  unanimously  : 

Resolved,  That  whereas  our  Association  adopted  the  report  of 
the  committee  on  Temperance  ;  therefore  we  will  withdraw  ourselves 
from  any  church  in  our  union  which  holds  a  member  or  members 
who  buys,  sells  or  drinks  as  a  common  beverage,  any  kind  of  intox- 
icating spirits. 

Remarks. — This  proceeding  on  the  subject  of  Temper- 
ance proved  to  be  like  a  very  explosive  bomb-shell  or  disrupt- 
ing fire-brand,  almost  causing  apparent  destruction  of  the 
very  life  of  the  Association  by  the  time  of  its  next  annual 
assemblage.  Let  it  suffice,  however,  to  say  the  body  still 
23 


1 78  KING'S  MO  UNT  AIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

survives  the  shock  it  then  received,  and  bids  fair  to  be,  since 
the  clogs  or  shackles  of  intemperance  have  been  removed 
from  its  escutcheon,  a  body  of  twice  the  influence  and  power 
that  it  then  wielded  or  possessed.  May  it  still  prove  to  be 
able,  as  an  aggressive  body,  to  go  forward  and  shake  the 
mighty  powers  of  darkness,  and  be  greatly  instrumental  in 
dethroning  Prince  Alcohol ! 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  prepared  by  Elder 
Joseph  Suttle,  on  Prayer. 

The  Mission. — The  mission  is  still  being  fostered  and 
in  a  flourishing  condition  in  the  hands  of  Elders  Rollins  and 
Suttle. 

STATE    OF    RELIGION. 

We  give  the  report  of  the  committee  on  the  State  ot 
Religion  among  the  churches,  believing  that  it  has  already 
accomplished  some  good  and  may  yet  accomplish  more: 

It  appears  from  the  letters  sent  up  from  the  churches  composing 
our  union  that,  while  a  few  are  rejoicing  in  the  midst  of  gracious  re- 
vivals, and  exclaiming,  "The  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for,  us. 
whereof  we  are  glad,"   others  complain  of  a  cold  and  lifeless  state  : 
a  few  of  the  churches  are  almost  destitute  of  a  preached  Gospel.  This 
state  of  things  should  not  be  permitted  to  continue.     It  is  certainly 
the  plain  duty  of  those  who  have   been  blessed  with  the  means,  to 
have  the  Gospel  preached  to  the  poor  ;  they  should  regard  it  a  privi- 
1  ege  that  th^y  have  it  in   their  power  to  bestow  some  of  their  sub- 
stance on  so  holy   and  good  a  cause.    Your  committee,   therefore 
recommend  the  continuance  of  the  mission  already  set  on  foot  in  our 
associational  bounds,  and  that  the  necessary  steps  be  taken  to  place 
in  the  hands  of  the  board  the  means  of  supplying   the    destitute 
churches  and  other  associational  territory  belonging  to  us.     We  again 
commend  to  the  attention  of  our  churches  the  great  importance  of 
establishing  Sabbath  Schools,  which  we  regret  to  see^s  almost  en- 
tirely neglected.     And  as  the  churches  have  preaching  only  once  a 
month,  we  urge  upon  them  the  necessity  of  holding  prayer- meetings 
every  Sabbath.     Let  as  many  of  the  members  as  conveniently  elm 
go  to  the  Sabbath  School,   and  after  the  exercises  of  the  school  are 
over,  form  themselves  into  a  prayer-meeting,  read  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, and   sing  and   pray  with  and  for  each  other.     This,   it  is  be- 
lieved,  will  unite  the  members  of  the  churches  in  a  closer  bond  of 
union,  make  them  watch  over  each  other  for  good  and  not  for  evil, 
as  we  fear  is  too  frequently  the  case.     Such   a  course  will   certainly 
promote  individual  piety,  while  it  will  tend  to  the  development  of 
the  best  gifts,  which  should  be  carefully  sought  out,  encouraged  and 
cultivated  by  the  churches.     By  means  like  this  an  intelligent  and 

efficient  ministry  will  be  built  up,  and  prove  a  blessing,  not  only  to 
the  churches  but  to  the  world  at  large. 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  179 

Your  committee  would  further  recommend  that  great  care  should 
be  taken  to  discourage  and  restrain  the  unworthy  and  grossly  igno- 
rant from  engaging  in  a  public  course  which  can  only  be  calculated 
to  bring  odium  and  reproach  upon  the  cause  of  Christ.  Let  the 
slanderous  charge,  "that  Baptists  are  guilty  of  Jeroboam's  sin — of 
making  priests  of  the  lowest  order  of  the  people,"  be  wiped  from 
our  escutcheon.  In  connection  with  the  preaching  of  a  pure,  una- 
dulterated Gospel,  let  means  be  taken  for  supplying  our  churches 
with  good  religious  books  wherein  our  members  may  be  taught  more 
fully  to  understand  our  denominational  principles  and  sentiments, 
and  thus  be  made  more  vigilant  in  defending  the  ancient  landmarks 
that  characterize  the  true  Church  of  Christ  from  the  assaults  of  gain- 
say ers.  The  present  is  evidently  a  fast  age  of  the  world,  and  in 
order  to  keep  abreast  we  should  make  greater  and  more  persevering 
efforts  which,  if  done  in  a  prayerful  and  God-honoring  manner, 
seeking  the  promotion  of  God's  glory  in  preference  to  the  building 
up  a  contentious  or  factious  party,  will  doubtless  meet  His  divine 
approbation.        Respectfully  submitted. 

J.  R.  Logan,  Chairman- 
REVISION  OF  CONSTITUTION. 

By  reason  of  the  alleged  latitudinous  character  ot  the 
Associational  Constitution,  which  has  governed  this  body 
from  its  organization  till  the  present  session,  a  committee 
consisting  of  Brethren  L:  M.  Berry,  Joseph  Suttle  and  Jno. 
R.  Logan  was  appointed  to  revise  or  remodel  that  instru- 
ment so  as  to  restrict  its  powers  to  authorize  the  Association 
to  interfere  with  or  settle  church  difficulties.  p 

Remarks. — It  will  here  be  seen  that  the  Baptists  of  the 
King's  Mountain  Association  are  in  favor  of  church  inde- 
pendency, and  undisposed  to  allow  the  associate  body  (which 
they  consider  only  the  creature  of  the  churches  for  specific 
objects)  any  right  whatever  to  interfere  in  the  adjustment  or 
settlement  of  questions  of  a  local  nature  which  have  had  their 
origin  in  any  of  the  churches  in  union,  only  in  the  shape  of 
advice.  The  rule  works  very  well,  and  many  disturbing 
questions  are  kept  down  thereby  which,  if  suffered  to  go  up 
to  the  Association  for  adjudication,  would  shake  the  confed- 
eracy of  churches  from  center  to  circumference,  and  serious 
schisms  would  thereby  often  be  the  result. 

THE    SECEDING    SESSION. 

The  tenth  annual  session  in  1860  met  at  High  Shoal 
church,  Rutherford  county,  1ST.  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  preached  by  Elder  Larkin  M.  Berry,  of  the  Lincolnton 
church,  from  Rom.  xiv.  19.  "Let  us  therefore  follow  after 


180         KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

the  things  which  make  for  peace,  and  things  wherewith  one 
may  edify  another."  After  recess  the  churches  were  called 
by  the  presiding  officer,  Elder  L,  M.  Berry,  when  letters 
were  handed  in  and  read  from  Buffalo,  Sandy  Run,  Zoar, 
Boiling  Springs,  Mount  Sinai,  Mount  Pleasant,  Beaver  Darn, 
Pleasant  Hill,  Big  Spring,  Bethlehem,  Long  Creek,  Olivet, 
Thesalonica,  Corinth  and  Lincolnton,  and  the  state  of  each 
minuted. 

The  other  churches  in  union  (with  the  exception  of  St. 
John's  and  Lebanon,  which  were  not  represented)  were  not 
received,  by  reason  of  not  carrying  out  the  resolution  of  the 
last  session  in  reference  to  Temperance.  Their  letters  were 
laid  on  the  table. 

Zion  Hill,  from  the  Green  River  Association,  was  then 
admitted  into  the  Association. 

The  body  was  then  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder 
L.  M.  Berry,  Moderator,  and  Bro.  Jno.  R.  Logan,  Clerk. 

The  body  then  proceeded  to  transact  the  usual  business 
of  an  Association.  On  Saturday  a  memorial  came  up  from 
sundry  aggrieved  members  of  Zion  church.  Also  a  petition 
of  similar  import  from  Walls'  church,  and  after  a  free  and 
full  discussion  of  the  ^points  involved  the  body  adopted  the 
following: 

Whereas,  Several  of  the  members  of  Zion  and  Walls'  churches 
have  made  efforts  to  pass  and  carry  out  the  resolution  adopted  at 
our  last  session  on  the  subject  of  Temperance,  but  failed  ;  and,  accord- 
ing to  their  request,  we  desire  to  give  them  aid.     Therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  brethren  be  sent  from  this 
body,  to  examine  the  condition  of  each  of  the  said  churches  and  me- 
morialists which,  if  received  by  said  churches  are  to  render  such 
aid  as  they  may  be  able,  to  reconcileand  settle  the  existing  difficulty, 
and  in  case  of  failure,  then  to  declare  the  said  memorialists  (if  found 
orthodox  and  worthy,)  the  church  in  each  case  respectively. 

It  was  then  moved  that  the  standing  of  those  churches  whose 
letters  were  tabled  on  Friday  be  looked  into,  and  a  ter  obtaining 
such  information  as  could  be  given  by  their  delegates  the  body  deci- 
ded that  in  consequence  of  the  uncertain  position  occupied  by  Dou- 
ble Springs,  High  Shoals  and  Mount  Paran,  it  would  not  be  advisable 
to  receive  their  delegates  at  this  session  ;  but  prayerfully  commend 
the  subject  of  Temperance  to  their  consideration,  hoping  they  may 
be  disposed  to  reflect  more  deeply  upon  it,  and  place  themselves  in  a 
more  proper  attitude  for  reception  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Asso- 
ciation. 

The  churches  at  Xew  Bethel,  Mount  Vernon    and  Xew 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  181 

Prospect  evincing  a  determination  to  carry  out  the  restora- 
tion of  this  body  on  the-temperance  resolution  were  indulged 
until  the  next  session  and  their  delegates  received. 

Elder  Joseph  Suttle,  of  Double  Springs  church,  was  in- 
vited to  a  seat  in  council,  he  being  in  full  accord  with  the 
Association. 

The  following  was  adopted : 
Resolved,  That  we  extend  to  Zion  church  all  christian  courtesy, 
•and  especially  to  Elder  Robert  Poston,  an  ordained  minister  and 
member  of  said  church,  until  the  meeting  of  tlie  committee  sent 
there  to  iuvestigte  the  diffieuty  existing  in  said  church;  and  brother 
Poston  is  hereby  invited  to  a  seat  in  council. 

It  was  then  moved  that  the  action  taken  as  to  Mount 
Paran  and  High  Shoals  churches  be  reconsidered  and  upon 
the  pledges  given  by  their  delegates  said  churches  were  re- 
ceived into  the  union. 

The  status  ofBeaver  Dam,  Bethel  and  Sandy  Plains 
were  further  inquired  into,  but  found  incorrigible  as  to  the 
temperance  resolution,  and  were  therefore  withdrawn  from,. 

Elder  John  J.  Jones,  of  Mount  Paran  church,  profess- 
ing to  be  in  full  accord  with  the  Association  was  invited  to 
a  seat  in  council. 

The  following  preamble  and  resolution  was  adopted  : 
Whereas,  By  an  act  of  this   body  we  have  withdrawn  from 
churches  formerly  in  union  with  us;    if  there  be  any  members   be- 
longing to  either  of  those  churches  that   desire  to    belong  to  the 
churches  in  our  union. 

Resolved,  That  we  advise  our  churches  to  receive  them  in  full 
fellowship,  provided  nothing  sinful  or  improper  be  found  against 
them.  And  should  any  member  be  excluded  from  any  Baptist 
church  for  advocating  temperance  principles  as  embraced  in  the 
resolution  of  our  Association  that  they  also  be  received. 

The  committee  to  revise  the  constitution  reported  and 
were  discharged. 

On  a  motion  to  adopt,  the  ayes  and  nays  were  recorded, 
Ayes  25,  nays  6.  (See  constitution  as  remodeled  and  re- 
ported.) 

Remarks. — Thus  passed  away  one  of  the  most  stormy 
sessions  ever  witnessed  by  the  members  of  the  King's  Moun- 
tain Association.  For  a  considerable  space  of  time  before 
the  meeting  of  the  Association  there  were  many  very  visible 
and  unmistakable  signs  of  trouble  brewing  in   the   direction 


1S2  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

of  High  Shoal  church,  where  the  Association  was  to  meet. 
Although  it  appeared  to  be  a  porteutous  cloud  in  the  dis- 
tance, hopes  were  entertained  that  it  would  blow  over  with- 
out doing  much  damage.  We  however,  anticipated  a  con- 
siderable storm  and  sure  enough  our  anticipations  were 
realized;  In  the  first  place  there  was  great  difficulty  in  or- 
ganizing. So  great  was  the  noise  and  confusion  when  the 
churches  were  called,  it  was  found  to  be  very  difficult  to 
minute  the  statistics  of  the  bodv.  Before  receiving  the 
church  letters  of  credence  the  interrogatory  was  put  by  the 
acting  Moderator  as  to  whether  the  temperance  resolution 
of  the  last  sessson  had  been  carried  out  in  good  faith  ?  If 
the  answer  was  in  accordance  with  the  resolution  the  letter 
and  delegation  were  received,  and  if  otherwise  they  were  re- 
jected. This  created  much  confusion,  and  it  sometimes  hap- 
pened that  several  were  on  the  floor  at  the  same  time  for 
liberty  of  speech.  It  was  very  difficult  to  preserve  even  the 
semblance  of  order,  but  the  efficiency  and  tact  of  the  Mode- 
rator, although  fully  tested,  proved  equal  to  the  emergency. 
Suffice  it  to  say  he  succeeded  in  the  organization  of  the  body, 
and  after  the  appointment  of  the  various  committees  on  the 
associational  business,  the  Association  adjourned.  "When 
the  meeting  hour  arrived  on  Saturday  the  doors  of  the  meet- 
ing house  were  found  closed  by  lock  and  key,  and  the  dele- 
gation retired  to  a  stand  erected  in  a  grove,  where  the  busi- 
ness of  the  Association  was  transacted  in  the  rain  until  the 
hour  of  adjournment.  On  Sunday  the  doors  were  opened 
and  the  business  transacted  in  the  meeting  house,  the  body 
being  invited  to  do  so  by  the  church,  which  invitation  was 
cordially  accepted. 

The  Circular  Letter,  prepared  by  Elder  L.  M.  Berry,  on 
the  design  and  authority  of  Associations  and  the  true  relations  ex- 
isting between  them  and  the  churches  they  represent,  was  adopted, 
and  the  body  adjourned. 

Subjoined  is  the  revised  constitution,  as  reported  by  the 
committee  : 

CONSTITUTIONAL   REVISION. 

At  the  session  of  1859,  at  Pleasant  Hill  church,  a  reso- 
lution was  passed  appointing  a  committee  to  revise  the  Con- 
stitution of  the   Association,   with  a    view  to  restricting  its 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  183 

jurisdiction  over  church  difficulties,  and  limiting  more  spe- 
cifically its  ecclesiastical  powers.  The  committee  consisted 
of  Elders  L.  M.  Berry,  J.  Suttle  and  Bro.  J.  R.  Logan,  who 
reported  to  the  body  at  its  session  of  18G0,  at  High  Shoal 
church,  the  following: : 

CONSTITUTION    OF  THE    KING'S  MOUNTAIN    BAPTIST    ASSOCIATION, 

We,  the  united  Baptist  churches  of  Jesus  Christ,  located  partly 
in  the  States  of  North  Carolina  and  South  Carolina,  having  all  been 
immersed  upon  a  profession  of  our  faith  in  Christ,  propose  to  main- 
tain the  order  and  rules  of  an  Association  according  to  the  following 
plan  : 

Article  1st.  This  Association  shall  be  known  by  the  name  of  the 
King's  Mountain  Baptist  Association. 

2nd.  This  Association  shall  be  composed  of  such  members  as 
shall  be  chosen  and  recommended  by  the  churches  in  union. 

3rd..  Other  churches  may  become  members  of  this  Association 
by  their  delegates  presenting  certificates  of  their  appointment,  pro- 
vided on  examination  they  be  found  orthodox. 

4th.  The  Association  shall  organize  by  electing  a  Moderator  and 
Clerk,  who  shall  hold  their  appointments  until  another  election, 
unless  displaced  by  the  body. 

5th.  This  Association,  as  an  act  of  christian  courtesy,  may  invite 
ministers  of  our  denomination  to  seats  with  us  in  council. 

6th.  This  Association,  when  convened,  shall  be  governed  by  a 
regular  and  proper  decorum,  which  they  are  authorized  to  form  for 
themselves. 

7th.  This  Association  hath  an  inalienable  right  to  judge  what 
churches  shall  be  admitted  into  its  confederacy. 

8th.  The  Association  thus  formed  shall  be  regarded  by  us  only 
in  the  light  of  an  advisory  council,  with  no  coercive  power  "to  lord 
it  over  God's  heritage." 

9th.  This  Association  shall  have  power  to  withdraw  from  any 
church  in  its  connection  that  shall  hold  corrupt  doctrines  or  indulge 
in  sinful  or  vicious  practices. 

10th.  Every  church  in  union  having  a  membership  not  exceed- 
ing fifty  in  number,  shall  be  entitled  to  a  representation  of  two  del- 
<^ates,  and  one  additional  delegate  for  every  increase  of  fifty  over 
that  number. 

11th.  The  primary  object  of  this  Association  shall  be  "to  strive 
for  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bonds  of  peace"  amongst  the 
•churches,  the  employment  of  domestic  missioiiaries,  and  to  keep  up 
the  statistical  accounts  of  the  churches  in  its  connection,  and  finally, 
to* concentrate  our  efforts  for  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom  on  earth,  and  for  the  deposition  of  the  works  of  darkness. 

12th.  None  but  the  members  of  this  body  Shall  be  allowed  a  vote 
in  its  counci-ls,  and  a  majority  shall  decide  in  disposing  of  and  set- 
tling all  business  that  may  constitutionally  come  before  them. 

13th.  This  Association  in  all  cases  disclaims  the  right  in  its  asso- 


184  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

ciate  capacity  to  settle  church  difficulties,  but  when  a  division  occurs 
and  two  parties  equally  claim  to  be  the  church,  and  represent  them- 
selves by  letter  and  delegates,  this  Association  shall  have  the  right 
to  decide  at  the  first  or  some  future  meeting  of  its  body  thereafter, 
which  party  shall  be  recognized  as  the  constitutional  church,  and 
entitled  to  a  seat  in  council. 

14th.  The  Minutes  of  the  Association  shall  be  read  each  day  and 
corrected,  if  need  be,  by  the  body,  and  when  the  business  shall  be 
gone  through  with,  signed  by  the  Moderator  and  Clerk  before  the 
Association  rises. 

15th.  Any  article  of  this  constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended 
at  any  annual  meeting,  by  a  majority  of  two-thirds  of  the  delegates 
present  voting  for  the  same. 

The  foregoing  constitution,  after  some  discussion,  was  adopted 
by  the  Association,  convened  at  High  Shoals  church  Oct.  26th,  1860. 
Ayes  25,  nays  6. 

According  to  the  provisions  of  the  old  constitution  the  report  of 
the  revision  committee  was  continued  until  the  next  session,  which 
convened  at  Lincolnton  church  in  October,  1861,  when  and  where 
it  was  again  adopted  by  the  body.    Ayes  16,  nays  13. 

A  majority  vote  of  two  successive  sessions  of  the  Association 
having  been  favorable  to  the  adoption  of  the  reported  constitution 
of  the  committee,  it  was  therefore  enrolled  andv  ordered  to  be  pub- 
lished in  the  Minutes  of  the  body  as  the  Constitution  of  the  King's 
Mountain  Association,  by  which  the  body  will  hereafter  be  governed. 
The  11th  annual  session  of  1861  met  at  Lincolnton 
church,  Lincoln  county,  1ST.  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  preached  by  Elder  Ransom  P.  Logan,  of  Bethlehem 
church.  John  iii.  7  :  "Marvel  not  that  I  said  unto  thee,  ye 
must  be  born  a  wain." 

The  new  church,  Bethel,  was  admitted — making  a  union 
of  22  churches,  and  membership  of  1956  communicants. 

The  body  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  Lar- 
kin  M.  Berry,  Moderator,  and  Bro.  Jno.  R.  Logan,  Clerk. 

HEADING    OF    CONSTITUTIONS. 

The  old  or  first  Constitution,  Rules  of  Order,  and  Ab- 
stract of  Principles,  and  also  the  new  constitution  as  reported 
by  the  committee  of  last  year,  were  read  by  the  Clerk. 

The  new  constitution   was  put   upon  its  second  reading 

a!nd  adopted  by  the  body.     Ayes  16,  nays  13. 

After  the  transaction  of  the  usual  routine  of  associa- 
tional  business,  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were 
adopted  : 

Whereas,  At  the  last  session  of  this  body  we  were  from  a  sense 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  185 

of  duty  constrained  to  withdraw  from  the  churches  at  Bethel,  Beaver 
Dam  and  Sandy  Plains,  by  reason  of  their  refusal  to  adopt  and  carry 
out  the  principles  of  Temperance,  as  embodied  in  the  resolution 
adopted  by  this  body  at  its  session  of  1859  ;  and  whereas,  since  our 
last  session  the  churches  at  Boiling  Springs,  Mount  Sinai,  Mount 
Pleasant,  High  Shoals  and  Mount  Paran  have  rent  off  from  our 
union  and  leagued  with  those  churches  already  withdrawn  from,  for 
the  ostensible  object  or  purpose  of  forming  themselves  into  a  sepa- 
rate association  with  anti-temperance  proclivities,  which  act,  if  con- 
summated, will  be  irregular,  and  contrary  to  the  usages  of  Baptists 
in  good  order  and  orthodox  standing.     Therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  By  this  Association,  that  the  churches  above  named 
in  such  new  and  spurious  organization  shall  no  longer  be  recognized 
by  this  body  as  orthodox,  and  we  hereby  ignore  all  intercourse  and 
christian  correspondence  with  them  for  the  future,  while  they  re- 
main disorderly,  and  caution  our  sister  associations  with  whom  we 
correspond,  to  hold  them  at  a  distance  as  a  heterodox  and  disorderly 
body. 

-  Report. — We  give  the  report  in  full  of  the  committee 
sent  last  year  to  Wall's  church,  to  enable  the  reader  to  form 
a  proper  idea  of  the  state  of  feeling  on  the  vexed  question  of 
Temperance  : 

We  met  at  Wall's  meeting  house  on  the  28th  and  29th  days  of 
December,  1860,  and  after  a  full  and  fair  investigation  of  all  the  facts 
presented,  find  twenty-six  white  members  besides  three  colored  ones, 
standing  firmly  upon  the  subject  of  Temperance,  and  laboring  to 
carry  out  the  resolution  of  your  body  at  its  session  of  1859,  including 

three  deacons  of  said  church.  We  also  ascertained  the  facts  connect- 
ed with  the  transaction  of  said  church  prior  to  the  meeting 
of  the  committee,  as  follows:  That  at  the  ISovember  meeting  the 
church  met.  but  having  no  regular  supply,  did  not  sit  in  conference, 
and  as  the  twenty-six  members  understood,  agreed  to  have  no  meet- 
ing until  the  meeting  of  the  committee.  But  at  the  time  of  the 
December  meeting  that  part  of  the  church  opposed  to  Temperance, 
met,  preferred  charges  and  excluded,  or  pretended  to  exclude,  the 
eight  members  who  petitioned  your  body  for  a  committee,  which 
they  did,  as  they  confessed  to  your  committee,  for  the  enormous 
crime  of  joining  the  Temperance  party  (?)  And  all  this  business 
transaction  was  done  with  a  man  presiding  as  Moderator  whom 
your  body  decided  at  its  last  session  was  in  disorder,  and  moreover 
the  said  anti-temperance  part  of  the  church  holds  and  refuses  to 
surrender  the  church  book,  and  although  the  keys  with  the  house 
were  in  the  possession  of  the  Temperance  part  of  the  church,  the 
Anties  have  fastened  the  house  with  three  additional  locks,  and, 
when  your  committee  met,  obstinately  and  wickedly  refused  to  let 
the  committee  or  congregation  enter  the  house."  Your  committee, 
therefore,  have  no  hesitancy  in  pronouncing  the  twenty-six  white 
members  with  the  three  colored,  as  the  regular  Baptist  church  at 
Wall's,  and  the  anti-temperance  party  as  a  rebellious  faction  in  gross 
disorder,  and  not  worthy  of  the  name  of  Baptist. 
Respectfully  submitted. 

L.  M.  Berry,       ] 
G.  W.  Rollins,    [  Committee. 
J.  C.  Lattimore.  J 
24 


186  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

CORRESPONDING  LETTER. 

We  give  the  corresponding  letter  of  the  body  addressed 
to  the  other  associations  : 

Dearly  Beloved  Brethren  : — We  have  again,  through  God's 
providence,  been  permitted  to  assemble  together  in  an  associate  ca- 
pacity with  the  church  at  Lincolnton,  and  we  are  happy  to  inform 
you  that  we  have  had  a  very  pleasant  and  we  hope  profitable  session. 
Some  of  our  churches  in  union  report  prosperously,  while  others 
appear  to  be  in  a  cold  and  languid  state,  tight  of  the  churches  for- 
merly in  union  with  us  having  made  a  stumbling  block  of  our  action 
upon  the  subject  of  Temperance,  have  gone  out  from  among  vis  to 
set  up  for  themselves.  We  very  much  deprecate .  the  act  of  our 
brethren  in  their  revolutionary  project,  and  would  fain  hope  that, 
on  proper  reflection,  they  will  yet  see  the  impropriety  and  folly  of 
their  reckless  and  disorganizing  course.  We  can  but  consider  them 
now  as  being  in  disorder,  and  consequently  cannot  hold  christian 
intercourse  with  them.  Being  fully  sensible  of  the  disastrous  conse- 
quences of  dram-drinking  by  professing  christians  to  the  church  of 
Jesus  Christ,  and  thoroughly  convinced,  as  we  are,  of  our  course 
being  the  only  safe  one,  it  cannot  therefore  be  presumed  or  expected 
that  we  should  be  influenced  to  recede  from  it.  We  expect  to  main- 
tain our  position,  God  being  our  helper.  We  hope,  therefore,  our 
brethren  with  whom  we  correspond  will  render  us  such  assistance 
as  they  may  be  able,  to  cany  out  the  great  principles  for  which  we 
are  contending.  Our  Minutes  will  serve  to  communicate  to  yon 
more  fully  our  situation  and  standing  as  an  Association,  to  which 
you  are  referred.  *  *  *  * 

May  the  God  of  all  grace  continue  to  prosper  His  cause  on  the 
earth,  and  may  the  time  speedily  arrive  when  our  once  happy  and 
prosperous  country  will  be  relieved  from  the  thraldom  of  war  and 
be  again  restored  to  peace  and  harmony,  and  the  cause  of  Christ  be 
made  to  flourish  and  shine  with  greater  lustre  and  brilliancy,  is  the 

prayer  of  yours  in  Gospel  bonds. 

L.  M.  Berry,  Moderator. 
J.  R.  Logan,  ClerK. 

Deaths. — The  demise  of  Elder  Joseph  Suttle  is  noticed 
in  the  Minutes  of  this  session,  who  had  died  on  the  26th  of 
May  previouslj-.  (See  biography  of  Elder  Suttle  in  this 
work.) 

The  death  of  Deacon  William  Covington  is  also  noticed 
in  the  report  of  the  committee  on  Obituaries.  Bro.  Coving- 
ton was  a  father  in  Israel,  having  lived  for  half  a  century  a 
pious  and  orderly  member  of  the  church,  discharging  the 
duties  of  a  deacon  for  many  years.  His  godly  walk  and 
conversation  were  known  to  many,  while  temperance  was 
conspicuous  among  the  christian  virtues  that  adorned  his 
character.     He  was  an  honest  num. 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  187 

Remarks. — To  which  tribute  of  respect  we  can  heartily 
subscribe,  having  known  Bro.  Covington  from  the  year  1831 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  generally  attended  the  ses- 
sions of  the  Association  as  one  of  the  representatives  of  the 
Ziou  church,  and  wTas  ever  to  be  found  at  the  post  of  duty. 
He  was  a  man  of  quick  and  strong  impulses,  of  unimpeach- 
able veracity,  and  always  observant  of  the  ties  of  friendship 
that  bound  him  to  the  christian  brotherhood. 

HUMILIATION   AND  PRAYER. 

The  cruel  war  between  the  States  had  been  inaugurated 
and  some  battles  fought  by  the  contending  parties,  which 
prompted  the  adoption  of  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  in  all  the  recent  battles  fought  and  won  by  the 
Confederate  army  since  the  commencement  of  the  present  unjust 
and  unholy  war  upon  the  South  by  the  abolitionists  of  the  North, 
this  Association  recognizes  the  ringer  of  God  in  His  special  provi- 
dence, interposing  in  our  behalf  as  an  oppressed  section  or  nation, 
for  which,  as  a  christian  body,  we  feel  it  to  be  our  duty  in  deep  hu- 
mility to  return  thanks  to  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  the  universe,  whose 
right  and  prerogative  it  is  to  control  not  only  the  actions  and  desti- 
nies of  men,  but  also  of  nations.  We  therefore  agree  to  set  apart 
the  25th  of  December  and  /st  day  of  January  next  as  days  of  fasting  , 
humiliation  and  prayer,  and  hereby  request  the  pastors  and  supplies 
of  churches  in  our  union  to  assemble  their  congregations  at  their 
respective  houses  of  worship  on  the  days  set  apart  for  the  worship  of 
God.  And  we  further  invite  the  co-operation  of  all  those  who  love 
God  and  our  country  in  invoking  His  blessings  upon  our  army  and 
the  cause  of  the  oppressed,  that  He  may  thwart  the  evil  machina- 
tions of  our  enemies,  give  them  better  hearts  and  purer  dispositions 
towards  us,  and  finally  restore  peace  and  harmony  to  our  once  happy 
but  now  distracted  and  bleeding  country. 

The  Circular  Letter  to  the  churches  was  written  bv  Elder 
G.  W.  Rollins,  on. the  subject  of  Christian  Love. 

The  12th  annual  session  of  1862  met  with  ISTew  Bethel 
church,  Cleveland  county,  N".  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  delivered  by  Elder  L.  M.  Berry,  1st  Pet.  i.  15,  16,  Elder 
P.  R.  Elam,  the  appointee,  being  absent  in  the  camps. 

There  appears  21  churches  represented  ;  membership, 
1878. 

Elder  Geo.  W.  Rollins  was  elected  Moderator,  and  Jno. 
R.  Logan,  Clerk. 

Reports. — Elders  Lewis  McCurry  and  L.  M.  Berry 
reported,  as  follows : 


188  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

That  as  missionaries  under  the  appointment  of  the  Board,  in  the 
Catawba  Valley,  the  former  had  labored  24  days,  the  latter  15  days, 
and  that  the  interest  in  the  field  of  their  operations  was  increasing, 
and  should  by  all  means  be  kept  up  ;  whereupon  the  body  ordered 
the  Treasurer  to  audit  the  missionary  claims.  Owing,  we  suppose, 
to  the  distracted  situation  of  the  country  we  do  not  find  that  the 
body  continued  the  mission  the  ensuing  year. 

INTENT    OF    THE    TEMPERANCE    RESOLUTION. 

Elder  L.  M.  Berry  introduced  the  following  resolution, 
which  was  unanimously  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  the  true  intent  and  spirit  of  the  resolution  on 
Temperance,  passed  at  the  session  of  1859,  is  intended  to  prohibit 
members  from  making,  or  having  made  by  others  for  medicinal  pur- 
poses, any  ardent  spirits,  or  to  vend  or  use  the  same  in  any  sense  as 
a  beverage. 

Speculators. — The  following   preamble  and  resolution 

was  adopted: 

Whereas,  A  large  number  of  our  brethren  and  citizens  of  the 
country  are  now  upon  the  tented  field  engaged  in  the  defense  of  our 
rights,  while  many  of  their  families  are  doubtless  suffering,  or  will 
suffer,  for  the  wants  of  life,  caused  by  the  high  prices  produced  by 
speculators,  unless  something  be  done  to  prevent  so  sad  a  state  of 
things. 

Resolved,  Therefore,  that  we  very  much  deprecate  the  course  of 
speculators,  and  regard  them  as  worse  enemies  to  our  country  than 
the  Yankee  abolitionists  of  the  North,  and  hope  the  Legislature  of 
North  Carolina  will  take  some  steps  to  put  a  stop  to  their  operations, 
by  regulating  or  reducing  the  prices  of  the  necessaries  of  life.  To 
procure  relief  from  suffering  occasioned  thereby,  this  resolution  is 
intended  as  a  petition  to  memorialize  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
State. 

Remarks. — We  recollect  that  we  had  the  honor  of  in- 
troducing a  copy  of  the  foregoing  paper  into  the  Legislature 
of  North  Carolina  while  occupying  a  seat  in  the  House  of 
^Representatives  from  Cleveland  county,  which  was  referred 
to  the  committee  on  Propositions  and  Grievances,  and  which 
doubtless  contributed  in  a  degree,  in  connection  with  other 
memorials  from  different  parts  of  the  State,  to  strengthen 
the  executive  arm  of  the  State  government  so  as  to  amelio- 
rate  the  condition  of  the  people,  and  prevent  the  contem- 
plated suffering,  by  shipping  supplies  to  the  most  available 
and  practicable  points  for  distribution.  The  class  of  crea- 
tures denounced  in  the  resolution  as  "speculators,"  and 
worse  than  our  Yankee  enemies,  were   certain  shy-locks  or 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  189 

.skin-flints,  moving  in  every  direction  through  the  country— 
sometimes  in  the  character  of  government  agents,  impress- 
ing the  most  valuable  stock,  and  otherwise  procuring  for  the 
smallest  amount  of  money  all  the  surplus  food  and  raiment 
of  the  country,  under  the  pretense  that  it  was  all  for  the  use 
of  the  army,  and  then  extortioning  on  the  people  at  unheard 
of  prices  upon  the  necessities  and  wants  of  life.  Many  of 
these  soulless  bipeds  not  only  attempted  to  swindle  and 
practice  extortion  on  the  necessaries  of  life,  but  even  life 
itself  was  bought  and  sold  in  the  shape  of  substitutes,  to 
screen  the  precious  carcasses  of  monied  cowards  from  being 
struck  by  the  battles  of  the  enemy. 

OBJECTS  OF  ASSOCIATIONAL  WORK. 

The  reports  made  on  the  different  branches  of  associa- 
tional  work — Missions, Temperance,  Sabbath  Schools,  &c, are 
all  encouraging — showing  that  notwithstanding  the  country 
is  greatly  disturbed  by  war,  yet  there  is  a  corresponding 
•effort  being  made  to  evangelize  the  country  b}~  sending  the 
Gospel  to  those  who  have  it  not. 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  prepared  by  Bro, 
J.  R.  Logan,  the  same  being  a  synoptical  history  of  the  Broad 
Hirer  and  King's  Mountain ,  Associations.  This  was  prepared 
merely  to  preserve  old  associational  records. 

Churches  Dismissed. — The  churches  of  Buffalo  and 
New  Prospect,  for  reasons  satisfactory  to  them,  asked  for 
and  received  letters  of  dismission  to  join  the  Broad  River 
Association.  St.  John's  was  also  dismissed  to  join  Catawba 
River  Association. 

Fast  Days,  &c. — The  following  resolutions  were  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  we  celebrate  the  first  Sunday  in  December  and 

second  Sunday  in  January  next,  as  days  of  fasting,  humiliation  and 

prayer  for  the  cause  of  our  country  and  its  army,  now  engaged  in 

the  defense  of  our  liberties,  that  God  may  bless  and  prosper  them. 

Resolved,  That  we  advise  the  members  of  our  churches,  while 
engaged  in  their  morning  and  evening  devotions,  to  specially  plead 
with  the  Great  Ruler  of  all  things  for  the  prosperity  of  the  cause  of 
the  Confederate  States,  and  in  their  epistolary  correspondence  with 
friends  in  the  army,  they  request  them  to  unite  their  petitions  with 
ours  for  the  same. 

The  following  were  introduced  and  adopted  : 
Resolved,  That  we  are  greatly  pained  at  the  news  that  has  reach- 
ed us  during  the  present  session  of  the  death  of  our  much  esteemed 


190         KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

brother,  Solomon  Baker,  of  Thessaloniea  church,  who  had  been  del- 
egated to  this  body,  but  on  Friday  last  at  4  o'clock  p.  >r.,  the  Great 
Head  of  the  Church  called  him  to  the  Great  Association  above. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  to  his  bereaved  family  our  prayers  and 
condolence  on  an  occasion  so  afflicting  to  them  and  distressing  to  us.- 

The  13th  annual  session  of  1863  was  held  at.  Sandy  Run 
ehurchr  Cleveland  county,.  N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  delivered  by  Elder  Geo.  W.  Rollins,  from  Lam.  iii.  40, 
The  union  consists  of  20  churches  and  a  membership  of  1956. 

Elected  Elder  Geo.  "W"..  Rollins,  Moderator,  and  J.  'R. 
Logan,  Clerk. 

The  usual  assoeiational  business  was  transacted  quietly. 

Sabbath  Collection.— -The  Sabbath  collection  amounted 
to  §671.50,  to  aid  in  sending  the  Gospel  to  the  North  Caro- 
lina troops  in  the  army  of  the  Confederate  States.  The 
Clerk  adds,  "May  God  bless  the  efforts  now  being  made  in 
behalf  of  the  noble  defenders  of  our  rights  and  liberties,  and 
may  the  blessings  of  the  Gospel  of  peace  be  spread  far  and 
wide  over  our  sin-stricken  land  and  ultimately  evangelize 
the  nations  now  sitting  in  gross  darkness  and  iclolatrv." 

CHANGE  OF    SESSION. 

Resolved,  That  in  future  we  change  the  time  of  holding  the  an- 
nual sessions  of  this  body,  so  as  to  embrace  the  third  Sabbath  in 
September  in  each  year. 

With  a  degree  of  pain  we  republish  to  the  world  the 
notice  taken  by  the  Association  of  Elder  Drury  Scruggs,  of 
the  Broad  River  Association  : 

Resolved,  That  we  caution  the  churches  of  the  King's  Mountain 
Association,  and  all  the  Baptists  with  whom  we  have  union  and 
correspondence,  against  a  certain  Drury  Scruggs,  as  an  impostor, 
who  has  been  excluded  from  his  church  in  the  Broad  River  Associ- 
ation for  very  immoral  conduct,  and  is  now  preaching  through  tbe 
country,  and  also  advise  the  churches  to  warn  their  members  and 
the  community  against  encouraging  such  a  corrupt  man  by  going  to 
hear  him  preach. 

Remarks. — We  shall  have  more  to  say  about  Elder 
Scruggs  hereafter  in  a  more  fitting  place.  He  was  for  many 
yearsa^rominent  minister  of  the  Broad  River  Association, 
and  we  once  thought  very  well  of  him,  but  he  may  have 
fallen  into  sin  and  thereby  brought  reproach  on  himself  and 
the  good  cause  he  so  long-  advocated.  We  would  fondlv 
cherish  the  hope  that  he  was  only  suffering  "persecution  for 
righteousness  sake." 


KIXG^S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  191 

The  14th  annual  session  of  1864  met  at  Bethel  church, 
Iredell  county,  N.  C.  Elder  L.  M.  Berry  preached  the  in- 
troductory sermon  from  Psalms  133d,  1st  verse.  The  union 
consisted  of  only  17  churches,  with  a  membership  of  1226. 

The  body  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  Hansom  P. 
Logan,  Moderator,  and  Bro.  Jno.  Ii.  Logan,  Clerk. 

Elder  J.  K.  Howell  from  the  Central  Association,  rep- 
resenting Sabbath  School  interests,  was  invited  to  a  seat  in 
■council. 

SABBATH  SCHOOL   SUPERINTENDENT. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted  by  the  body  : 
Resolved,  That  *  *  *  we  will  appoint  Elder  G.  M,  Webb  to 
preach  to  and  organize  Sabbath  Schools  in  all  the  churches  he  may 
be  able  to.  and  collect  whatever  funds  he  can  for  services  rendered, 
and  report  the  result  of  his  operations  to  the  next  session  of  the  Asso- 
ciation. 

Efforts  were  made  to  increase  the  missionary  funds  by 
collections  and  pledges,  and  a  resolution  adopted  requesting 
the  several  churches  to  send  up  their  free-will  offerings  to 
the  next  meeting  of  the  Association,  to  keep  on  foot  the 
mission  to  the  Catawba  Valley. 

A  Circular  Letter,  written  by  Elder  Gabriel  Phillips,  of 
the  Broad  River  Association,  on  the  subject  of  Intemperance^ 
was  adopted  for  this  year.     (Elder  P.  Boston  failed  to  write.) 

Remarks. — There  was,  comnarativelv  sneaking,  but  lit- 
tie  important  business  transacted  at  this  meeting  of  the  body, 
vet  it  was  a  very  pleasant  and  agreeable  session  notwith- 
standing. The  brethren  and  citizen  friends  around  the 
Bethel  church  made  more  than  an  average  display  of  urban- 
ity  and  hospitality  in  the  accommodation  of  the  Association 
during  its  session. 

CORRESPONDING  LETTER. 

The  following  is  the  corresponding  letter  of  the  session  : 
Dearly  Beloved  Brethren  composing  the  Broad  River,  Bethel,  Cataw- 
ba River,  and  Brown's  Creek  Associations: 

Through  the  Providence  of  God,  our  Heavenly  Father,  we  have 
auain  been  permitted  to  meet  together  in  an  associate  capacity,  and 
through  His  aid  and  guidance  are  yet  keeping  up  a  distinct  organi- 
zation as  the  King's  Mountain  Baptist  Association,  and  have  had, 
notwithstanding  the  troubles  and  outside  pressure  that  surrounds 
us,  a  pleasant  session.  Our  business  has  been  transacted  in  the  fear 
of  God,  and  in  brotherly  love,  while  our  hearts  have  been  made  glad 


192  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

because  of  the  presence  of  a  few  corresponding  and  visiting  brethren; 
from  other  bodies.  We  have  to  lament  and  regret,  however,  the  fail- 
ure on  the  part  of  messengers  appointed  by  nearly  all  the  Associa- 
tions with  whom  we  correspond,  to  attend  our  session.  We  hope 
this  is  not  owing  to  any  lack  of  fellowship  or  christian' comity,  which 
should  at  all  times  characterize  the  followers  of  our  common  Savior, 
and  hope  that  we  shall  yet  avail  ourselves  of  the  good  counsels  of 
our  brethren  in  sessions  yet  to  come.  A  goodly  number  of  our 
churches,  too,  have  not  been  represented  in  the  present  session,  ow- 
ing, probably,  to  causes  not  properly  under  their  control  growing 
out  of  the  cruel  war  in  which  we  are  engaged,  and  the  fact  that  our 
session  has  been  held  in  a  remote  extreme  of  our  territory.  The 
reports  from  some  of  our  churches  are  encouraging,  having  had 
refreshing  seasons  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  By  reference  to 
our  Minutes  you  will  find  that  the  various  christian  enterprises' 
requiring  patronage  have  had  the  consideration  of  the  body,  and 
Sabbath  Schools  have  received  a  new  impetus  that  we  trust  will 
hereafter  be  productive  of  great  good  to  the  cause  amongst  all  of  our 
churches. 

Our  next  Association  will  convene  with  the  church  at  Zoar. 
*  *  *  *  *  *  *  We  anticipate  a  full  attendance 
from  corresponding  bodies,  as  our  session  will  be  more  central  and 
convenient.  May  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all. 
Amen.  Ransom  P.  Logan,  Moderator. 

John  R.  Logan,  Cl«rk. 

'    The  15th  annual  session  of  1865  was  held  at  Zoar  churchy 
Cleveland  county,  K.  C. 

The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  by  Elder  Geo. 
W.Rollins  from  Exodus  xxxii.  25  ''Who  is  on  the  Lord's  side/" 
There  were  16  churches  represented,  membership,  1502. 

The  body  organized  with  Elder  Ransom  P.  Logan, 
Moderator  and  Bro.  Jno.  R.  Logan.  Clerk. 

Queries.— After  transacting  the  usual  associationa! 
business,  the  following  queries  from  Zoar  and  Double 
Springs  were  taken  up  : 

"Would  it  not  be  conducive  to  the  interests  of  religion,  and  the 
general  cause  of  Christ  within  the  bounds  of  the  King's  Mountain 
Association,  for  said  body  to  labor  with  and  if  possible  take  such 
measures  asmiay  be  calculated  to  restore  harmony  and  fellowship 
With  these  chinches  once  constituent  members  of  the  Association 
who,  probably  by  reason  of  an  honest  difference  of  opinion  on  the 
subject  of  Temperance,  have  seceded  from  the  body?" 

The  foregoing  query  having  been  referred  to  the  com- 
mittee on  Queries,  was  considered,  and  the  following  report 
made  on  the  subject : 

In  answer  to  Zoar  church   your  committee  believe  it  to  be  right 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  193 

to  labor  with  the  brethren  referred  to,  and  if  possible  obtain  a  recon- 
ciliation according  to  Gospel  principles  ;  and  in  order  to  effect  an 
object  so  desirable,  we,  from  the  purest  motives,  agree  to  make  the 
proposition  that,  should  said  churches  or  any  number  of  them,  return 
to  us  on  said  terms, twe  will  cordially  receive  them,  or  refer  the  mat- 
ters in  dispute  to  a  disinterested  committee  of  brethren  in  good 
standing  (outside  of  the  parties)  for  adjustment,  and  abide  by  their 
decision.  • 

The  following  is  a  query  from  Double  Springs  church  : 
"Is  it  consistent  for  a  brother  who  affiliates  with  the  other  divis- 
ion of  the  King's  Mountain  Association   to  participate  with  us  in 
worship  '?" 

The  committee  on  Queries  answered  the  foregoing  as 
follows  : 

'After  mature  reflection,  we  advise  our  ministers  not  to  partici- 
pate with  or  invite  the  ministers  of  the  so-called  other  division  of 
the  King's  Mountain  Association,  or  those  affiliating  with  them,  to 
participate  with  us  in  religious  worship  while  they  remain  irrecon- 
eiled  to  each  other." 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  Queries  was  adopted  by 
the  bodv. 

The    Circular   Letter,    prepared    by   Elder  Larkin    M. 

Berry,  on  the  'proper  observance  of  the  Christian,  Sabbath,  was 

adopted; 

Elder  L.  M.  Berry  gave  an  account  of  his  stewardship 
as  missionary  to  the  Catawba  Valle}*,  which  was  satisfactory. 

BAPTIST  CHURCH  AND  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  MESSENGER. 

Elder  Tilman  R.  Gaines  obtained  leave  to  urge  the  claims 
of  his  "Baptist  Church  and  Sunday  School  Messenger"  upon 
the  attention  of  the  Association,  and  the  committee  on  Peri- 
odicals gave  it  the  following  endorsement: 

We  know  of  no  Baptist  paper  now  being  published  in  North 
Carolina  ;  yet  we  are  happy  in  being  able-to  inform  you  that  a  Bap- 
tist monthly,  in  pamphlet  form,  is  about  to  be  started  in  the  town  of 
Shelby,  by  Rev.  T.  R.  Gaines,  known  as  "The  Baptist  Church  and 
Sunday  School  Messenger,"  devoted  to  the  Baptist  cause  and  Sabbath 
S<  hool  interests.  Your  committee  are  of  opinion  that  such  a  period- 
ical would  be  of  great  seryice  to  the  general  cause  of  Christ,  and 
recommend  that  it  be  sustained.  L.  M.  Berry,  Ch'm. 

Remarks. — After  issuing  some  half  dozen  copies  of  this 
most  excellent  work,  the  editor  was  compelled  to  suspend 
for  lack  of  patronage,  much  to  the  regret  of  all  who  availed 
themselves  of  the  benefits  of  its  well  filled  columns.  Could 
not  another  such  a  periodical,  devoted  to  the  same  good 
cause,  be  gotten  up  and  sustained  ?     We  are  sure  that  such 

25 


194  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

an  enterprise  ought  to  be  sustained   by  the  Baptists  within 
flie  bounds  of  the  King's  Mountain  Association. 

Report. — The  Sunday  School  agent  made  the  following 
report  of  his  work  : 
To  the  King's  Mountain  Baptist  Association — Greeting  : 

Dear  Brethren  : — As  agent  of  your  body  I  submit  this,  my 
ajanual  report:  I  have  devoted  nearly  all  my  time  to  the  work  as- 
signed me,  up  to  the  time  the  Federal  troops  got  possession  of  the 
country  ;  since  then  I  have  done  but  little,  owing  to  the  distracted 
and  unsettled  condition  of  the  country.  I  am  happy  to  inform  you 
that  while  I  labored  in  the  cause  of  Sabbath  Schools  I  had  fine  suc- 
cess, and  established  six  schools — one  at  each  of  the  following 
churches:  Concord,  Big  Spring,  Double  Springs,  Zion,  Pleasant  Hill 
and  Olivet.  I  visited  nearly  all  the  churches,  but  failing  to  procure 
books,  did  not  succeed  in  establishing  schools.  Besides  the  six 
schools  established  by  me,  I  find  flourishing  schools  at  Zoar,  Lin- 
colnton  and  Mount  Vernon  churches,  and  I  hope  the  time  is  not  far 
distant  when  we  shall  have  schools  established  in  all  of  our  churches 
in  union,  and  in  every  church  and  Association  in  the  land. 

I  received  from  the  Sabbath  School  Board  at  Baleigh,  N.  C,  over 
one  thousand  copies  of  Sabbath  School  books,  and.  could  have  sold 
as  many  more  if  I  had  had  the  means  of  getting  them  from  the 
board.  I  now  recommend  that  a  stronger  effort  be  made  by  the  As- 
sociation in  behalf  of  Sabbath  Schools  than  ever.  Let  every  minis- 
ter and  deacon,  and  layman  go  to  work  for  the  cause,  and  they  will 
never  regret  the  effort.  G.  M.  Webb,  Agent. 

Domestic  Missions. — Somewhat  in  connection  with  the 

Sabbath  School  work,  we  give  the  report  of  the  committee 

on  Domestic  Missions  and  Temperance  : 

We  are  truly  sorry  that  a  state  of  depression  has  seized  the  minds 
of  brethren  upon  this  important  subject  It  is  true  that  pecuniary 
embarrassments,  for  the  want  of  a  sound  currency,  has  presented  an 
insuperable  barrier  at  present  to  missionary  operations,  causing  a 
temporary  suspension  of  measures,  but  it  is  hoped  that  a  brighter 
day  is  yet  to  be  seen  in  the  distance,  when  we  shall  be  enabled  to 
resume  the  good  work  of  pushing  forward  more  fully  all  the  darling 
enterprises  of  the  Gospel. 

As  it  regards  the  subject  of  Temperance,  we  still  recognize  it  as 
one  of  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  and  recommend  to  the  churches  a 
strict  watch  over  their  respective  memberships,  and,  so  far  as  possi- 
ble, counteract  intemperance  generally  in  all  tilings,  and  especially 
the  evils  of  distilling,  vending  and  immoderately  using  ardent  spir- 
its. If  the  churches  fail  to  use  proper  discipline,  and  rely  too  much 
on  the  advice  of  the  Association  in  this  important  matter,  we  need 
expect  but  little  progress.  Indeed,  associafional  resolutions  serve, 
in  many  instances,  only  to  distract  and  engender  strife  amongst  the 
churches,  and  should  therefore  be  avoided.  If  any  of  the  churches 
hold  drunken,  disorderly  members,   let  them  be  immediately  dealt 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  195 

with  and  expelled,  if  not  reclaimed.  By  a  faithful  exercise  of  Gospel 
discipline  amongst  the  churches  we  shall  have  the  favor  of  God,  our 
Maker,  and  prosper  and  flourish  ;  otherwise  we  may  expect  to  retro- 
grade and  fall  into  many  heinous  and  grievous  sins,  and  eventually 
bring  reproach  upon  the  cause  which  we  profess  to  love  and  serve. 
Respectfully  submitted.  Jno.  R.  Logan,  Ch'm. 

We  also  give  in  our  work  the  report  of  the  committee 
on  the  moral  aspect  and  state  of  the  country  : 

Your  committee,  with  a  degree  of  pain,  mingled  with  sorrow, 
have  to  report  that,  by  recent  events  growing  out  of  the  late  civil 
war  between  the  North  and  the  i^outh,  the  ship  of  State  has  been 
wrecked  and  tossed  as  by  a  great  tempest,  from  one  extreme  of  the 
country  to  another,  by  reason  of  which  the  various  enterprises  of  the 
church  have  been  made  to  participate  in  the  general  suffering.  By 
the  reverses  of  the  war — producing  almost  general  demoralization, 
and  for  the  want  of  a  reliable  currency  or  circulating  medium — it  is 
impossible  to  make  extensive  operations  of  any  character  or  kind 
"whatsoever  ;  and,  therefore,  a  general  apathy  or  depression  seen. s 
to  have  seized  the  minds  of  all,  and  is  everywhere  abounding,  and 
even  preying  upon  the  vitals  of  religion  itself. 

Our  young  men  who  have  escaped  the  untimely  grave  of  the 
soldier,  are  now  amongst  us  without  employment,  brooding  over 
blighted  hopes  and  realizing  for  themselves  the  sad  consequences  of 
defeat,  and  we  fear  that  not  a  few  of  them,  by  reason  of  this  state  of 
things,  have  taken  to  their  cups  or  gambling  shops,  and  are  now  to 
be  seen  on  the  plain  highway  to  ruin.  In  view  of  this  deplorable 
state  of  things,  it  behooves  all  of  those  professing  the  name  of  Christ, 
however  humble  or  feeble  they  may  be,  to  endeavor  to  interpose  in 
their  behalf  and  snatch  them  as  brands  from  the  burning  fire  of  de- 
struction. Let  them  be  kindly  taken  by  the  hand  by  every  christian 
patriot  and  philanthropist  and  properly  encouraged  and  cheered  for 
their  noble  and  valiant  deeds  of  daring  in  defense  of  what  they 
honestly  conceived  to  be  their  dearest  rights  and  interests.  Let  them 
not  be  placed  under  the  ban  of  public  opinion  or  censure  as  though 
they  were  to  occupy  the  position  of  alien  enemies.  The  struggle 
having  resulted  unfavorably,  as  to  the  cause  for  which  they  battled, 
and  everything  having  been  done  that  our  resources  enabled  us  to 
do,  let  those  young  men  (upon  whom  hang  the  hopes  of  the  country) 
be  influenced  to  ground  the  arms  of  rebellion  against  the  properly- 
constituted  authority  of  the  country,  and  yield  their  allegiance  and 
loyalty,  as  required  by  the  divine  law  to  the  higher  ruling  power, 
and  make  the  best  of  the  present  situation — from  the  fact  that  good 

order  is  at  all  times  preferable  to  anarchy  and  confusion,  and  thus, 
by  a  course  of  unfeigned  godly  obedience  to  the  goodly  laws  of  State  , 
we  shall  yet  secure  to  ouitelves  and  posterity  many  01  the  inestima- 
ble privileges  for  which  our  ancestors  struggled  in  the  early  days  of 
the  Republic — amongst  which  none  are  of  greater  consequence  to  us 
than~the  liberty  of  conscience,  the  privilege  of  worshipping  the  true 
God,  under  our  own  vine  and  fig  tree,  while  no  one  shall  dare  to 
molest  or  make  us  ashamed  or  afraid. 


196  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Our  various  christian  enterprises,  although  suspended  for  a  time, 
should  still  be  cherished  and  patronized  as  much  as  possible,  and 
kept  near  our  hearts,  while  our  prayers  are  ascending  before  the 
throne  of  God  as  the  voice  of  one  man,  that  He  would  hasten  the 
period  of  time  when  it  shall  please  Him  to  drive  away  from  our 
political  horizon  the  dark  clouds  which  now  seem  suspended  over 
us,  and  once  more  favor  Zion  with  the  true  sunshine  of  Gospel  light, 
truth  and  love.  Let  the  blessings  of  peace  henceforth  be  more  fully 
appreciated  and  cultivated,  while  extreme  men  in  Church  or  State 
shall  be  marked — and  war,  with  the  fomenters  of  bloody  strife,  shall 
be  deprecated  by  all.  Respectfully  submitted. 

J.  R.  Logan,  Chairman. 

Remarks. — The  foregoing  was  written  just  after  the 
close  of  the  war,  while  the  Federal  process  of  reconstruction 
was  developing  its  horrid  iniquities  in  attempting  to  humil- 
iate the  Southern  people  by  disfranchisement,  and  the  en- 
franchisement of  their  late  slaves,  for  the  purpose  of  enabling 
a  few  adventurers,  mostly  from  New  England— generally 
known  about  that  time  as  "Carpet-baggers,"  who,  in  con- 
junction with  a  few  recreant  sons  of  the  South,  known  as 
"Scallawags" — were  busily  engaged  in  playing  second  fiddle 
to  the  negro  population  to  procure  their  co-operation  which, 
when  secured,  would  give  the  combined  trio  the  numerical 
strength  they  desired  to  run  the  machinery  of  the  State  gov- 
ernments. They  succeeded  in  this  nefarious  attempt,  and 
for  a  while  run  riot  over  the  best  portion  of  the  people,  who 
owned  the  property,  loading  them  with  heavy  taxation  and 
burdens  intolerable  to  be  borne.  This  appeared  as  blight 
and  mildew  on  the  future  prospects  of  the  Southern  people, 
who  were  always  a  brave  and  chivalric  race,  prefering  death 
to  ignominious  degradation. 

The  young'  men  resolved  publicly,  as  well  as  in  secret 
conclave,  they  would  not  submit  to  be  thus  degraded  and 
ruled  as  with  a  rod  of  iron.  They  organized  themselves  into 
secret  societies,  and  to  some  extent  took  the  law  into  their 
own  hands  and  commenced  a  course  of  regulation,  where 
they  deemed  it  necessary.  And  doubtless  many  excesses 
were  perpetrated  which  might  have  been  avoided,  had  the 
government  exercised  even-handed  justice  and  common  sense 
in  its  reconstruction  measures.  A  great  hue  and  cry  was 
now  raised  from  Maine  to  Texas  against  a  secret  organiza- 
tion  known  as  the  Ku-Klux  Klan,  who,  it  was  said,  was 
raised  up  as  by  magic  from  the  graves  of  the   Confederate 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  197 

dead,  and  the  power' of  the  government  was  invoked  to  put 
<lowu  an  organization  of  such  clanger  and  magnitude.  It  is 
■said  that  a  great  many  good  men,  even  ministers  of  the  Gos- 
pel, had  joined  or  identified  themselves  with  the  new  organ- 
ization; and  it  is  doubtless  true  that  they  did,  and  were 
influenced  to  do  so  from  pure  motives — to  restrain  the  young 
and  imprudent  boys  from  the  perpetration  of  crime  against 
the  people  and  government  that  now  required  their  submis- 
sion and  allegiance.  That  there  were  a  great  many  good 
men  thus  engaged,  is  a  notorious  fact,  and  yet  because  they 
were  found  like  poor  Tray,  in  the  fable — in  bad  company — 
they  were  incarcerated  in  prisons  and  penitentiaries,  to  make 
odious  what  was  then  considered  treason  by  the  ruling  pow- 
ers of  the  country.  "The  greater  the  man,  the  greater  the 
precedent,"  was  the  motto  of  the  party  in  power,  and  it  was 
of  no  consequence  whether  there  was  crime  committed  by 
any  one,  so  that  proof  could  be  made  that  he  was  a  member 
of  the  secret  order.  The  whole  South  almost  was  put  under 
martial  law,  and  became  a  sort  of  military  pandemonium, 
while  the  negro  race  were  encouraged  and  emboldened,  and 
often  times  through  the  insinuations  of  wicked  white  men 
(who  were  acting  as  traitors  to  their  race) became  informants 
falsely  against  their  late  masters  and  other  white  friends, 
who  were  really  much  better  friends  to  them  than  were  their 
new  allies;  but  the  stupid  darkey  could  not  see  it  so,  and 
was  led  against  his  own  best  interests,  and  is  to  this  day 
governed  by  the  same  wicked  impulses  infused  into  his  na- 
ture by  the  Carpet-baggers  of  the  North — so  that  when  he 
goes  to  the  polls  to  exercise  the  right  of  suffrage,  he  is  gene- 
rally found  in  direct  opposition  to  the  interests  of  the  white 
people.  Were  it  not  for  the  interference  of  unprincipled 
white  political  demagogues,  who  desire  to  avail  themselves 
of  the  suffrages  of  the  colored  race,  to  elevate  themselves  to 

office,  there  might  be  some  hopes  entertained  that  eventually 
the  two  races  might  to  a  great  extent  coalesce  in  sentiment, 
and  act  more  in  harmony  on  the  great  questions  that  from 
time  to  time  agitate  the  country,  but  it  is  highly  probable 
that  this  state  of  things  will  not  soon  cease; -and  as  the 
Anglo-Saxon  race  is  expected  to  contend  for  the  supremacy, 
we  may  in  the  near  future  live  to  see  the  color  line  more 
closely   and  generally  drawn    between  the  races,  when  the 


198  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

sons  of  Ham  will  not  be  likely  to  make  a  successful  show- 
ing. What  is  in  store  for  us  we  know  not,  and  we  can  here 
only  invoke  the  interposition  of  that  Providence  that  rules- 
all  things  after  the  counsel  of  His  own  will,  to  avert  the  dire 
calamities  which  sometimes  now  appear  imminent,  and  save 
us  from  prospective  evils  and  troubles  that  no  one  now  liv- 
ing can  fully  realize  or  contemplate. 

Deaths. — We  copy  the  report  of  the  committee  on  Obit- 
uaries, as  mention  is  made  of  several  of  our  christian  friends 
whose  memory  we  would  perpetuate  : 

Your  committee  report  the  death  of  Bro.  Abram  C.Irvine,  many 
years  a  deacon  of  Zion  and  Double  Springs  churches.  He  died  in 
the  fellowship  of  Zion  church,  in  the  63d  year  of  his  age,  in  the  hope 
of  a  blessed  immortality  beyond  the  grave.  ' 

John  Pinckney  Logan,  aged  25  years,  fell  on  the  6th  of  February 
last  (1865,)  mortally  wounded  at  Hatcher's  Run,  near  Petersburg, 
Va.,  while  making  a  charge  on  the  enemy's  works.  He  joined  the 
church  at  Zoar  in  early  life. 

B.  A.  Jenkins,  a  member  of  Big  Spring,  died  in  prison  at  Point 
Lookout,  in  June  last,  aged  30  years. 

Sister  Judith  Blanton  was  a  member  of  Zion  church,  a  pious 
mother  in  Israel,  died  within  the  past  yeaiy  lamented  by  a  large 
circle  of  friends  and  relatives.     Aged  — —  years. 

Sister  Elvira  Lovelace,  a  young  lady  of  16  years,  died  within  the 
last  year.  She  was  a  consistent  and  pious  member  of  Sandy  Run 
church. 

Many  others  have  died  during  the  past  year,  whose  names  have 
not  been  reported,  all  of  whom,  with  those  mentioned,  we  hope  to 
see  and  recognize  in  the  shining  courts  of  Heaven. 

J.  H.  Yarboro,  Chairman. 
DAVID    J.    LOGAN. 

A  few  extracts  will  briefly  show  his  standing  in  the 
community  where  he  lived.     The  Yojrkville  Enquirer  says  : 

''David  J.  Logan  was  about  27  years  of  age,  and  was  born  in 
Cleveland  county,  N.  C,  but  married  in  this  District,  and  was  doing- 
business  here  as  a  merchant,  when  he  voluntarily  gave  it  up,  with 
home  and  all  its  fond  endearments,  to  battle  for  his  country.  At 
the  formation  of  the  17tb  Regiment  he  was  elected  2nd  Lieutenant 
of  Company  F,  but  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  in  command  (Capt. 
Avery  acting  as  Major).  In  one  of  the  severe  battles  of  Virginia, 
Lieut.  Logan  was  shot  through  the  breast,  but  his  ardent  patriotism 
kept  him  home  no  longer  than  was  actually  necessary — since  then 
he  never  missed  sharing  with  his  men  all  their  dangers,  cheering 
them  with  kind  words  and  deeds,  and  dying  at  last  in  their  arms. 
Lieut.  Logan  was  calculated  to  adorn  the  walks  of  private  life  from 
an  amiable  disposition,  almost  effeminate  ;  all  his  actions  were  mark- 
ed by  probity  and  honor,  and  if  ever  he  had  an   enemy,  such  could 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  199 

not  have  been  worthy  to  be  called  a  friend.  This  is  no  fulsome 
eulogy  of  ours  —our  gifted  correspondent  is  dead  and  gone— we  miss 
him  from  our  columns  when  away,  and  the  genial  smile  that  an- 
nounced his  short  sojourn  when  among  us  ;  but  there  are  other  cir- 
cles where  his  loss  will  be  sincerely  felt,  whose  privacy  it  is  not  our 
privilege  or  disposition  to  invade — South  Carolina  adds  another  link 
to  the  chain  which  binds  her  to  the  noble  dead." 

"A  Friend"  has  left  the  following  testimony  of  him  : 

"David  was  not  only  a  Confederate  soldier,  but  had  in  early  life 
enlisted  as  a  soldier  of  the  cross,  having  been  baptized  into  the  fel- 
lowship of  the  Baptist  church  at  Zoar,  Cleveland  county,  N.  C,  in 
the  year  1851.  He  was  of  course  like  other  frail,  imperfect,  mortal 
men,  not  without  sin  ;  but  few  indeed  walked  more  circumspectly 
and  worthily  of  the  vocation  wherewith  he  was  called.  .  He  was 
ever  conscientious  and  true  to  the  principles  of  his  profession.  His 
last  letters  breathe  the.  spirit  of  the  humble  christian  devoutly  inter- 
ceding with  his  Heavenly  Master  for  protection  from  the  missiles  of 
the  enemy,  and  the  termination  of  the  cruel  war." 

Col.  F.  W.  McMaster,  in  whose  Regiment  Lieut.  Logan 
served,  in  a  letter  to  the  bereaved  wife  writes  as  tollows  : 

Trenches,  Petersburg,  Va„  June  26th,  1864. 

Dear  Madam : — Before  this  time  you  have  heard  of  the  great 
calamity  which  has  befallen  you  and  your  household,  in  the  death 
of  your  noble  husband,  Lieut.  Logan,  who  fell  the  18th  instant,  from 
a  ball  in  the  forehead,  just  as  he  was  about  to  give  a  command  to  his 
company  to  fire  on  the  enemy. 

I  know  all  human  sympathy  is  cold  where  alone  the  comfort 
must  come  from  the  Fountain  of  all  bles-:iu>-.  G  ,)d  alone  can  pour 
the  balm  into  your  wounded  heart  and  sustain  you  and  your  little 
ones  under  this  bereavement,  which  now  seems  to  you  to  render  the 
world  void  and  desolate.  But  fully  appreciating  the  many  beautiful 
traits  which  adorned  the  character  of  your  husband,  and  rendered 
him  an  object  of  admiration  amongst  his  friends  and  acquaintances, 
and  feeling  for  him  more  than  the  ordinary  attachment  which  binds 
comrades-in-arms,  I  cannot  refrain  from  expressing  to  you  my  sor- 
row at  his  death,  and  m\  sincere  condolence  with  you  in  the  afflic- 
tion which  now  oppresses  you.  j 

Many  noble  men  have  fallen  in  this  struggle  for  freedom,  and 
tears  of  sympathy  flow  in  a  continuous  stream  for  the  brave  who 
perish  ;  but  while  individual  losses  and  individual  distresses  are 
great,  your  misfortune  should  and  does  excite  more  grief  than  that 
of  his  kindred,  for  I  look  upon  it  as  a  public  calamity  when  such  a 
man  is  cut  off;  society  loses  an  ornament  and  the  commonwealth 
should  grieve  over  the  grave  of  a  useful  man  who  seemed  created  for 
a  high  sphere  of  good  to  his  country.  In  the  death  of  Lieut.  Logan, 
not  only  yourself  and  friends  suffer,  but  York  District  and  the  State 
of  South  Carolina  have  lost  one  of  its  most  promising  young  men, 
who  possessed  qualities  of  head  and  heart  which  undoubtedly  would 
have  rendered  him  an  extremely  useful  and  popular  citizen. 


200         KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

The  evening  before  he  was  killed  I  ordered  him  to  take1  charge 
of  aline  of  pickets  in  advance  of  the  Regiment.  He  came  to  my 
quarters  and  in  that  bland  and  polite  manner  which  never  forsook 
him,  stated  he  had  not  slept  in  two  days  and  was  nearly  exhausted* 
I  stated  to  him  the  duty  was  arduous,  and  all  of  us  were  jaded  and 
I  wanted  him  to  take  charge  of  the  pickets,  as  I  had  faith  in  hi* 
skill  and  discretion.  Without  a  murmur,  but  on  the  contrary  with 
that  cheerful  marfher  for  which  he  wa9  conspicuous,  he  went  off.  My 
Adjutant  that  day  remarked  to  me,  he  was  the  best  soldier  he  ever 
saw— he  was  always  so  cheerful  in  danger  and  amidst  privations. 
Often  has  his  bright  and  cheerful  countenance  gladdened  my  heart 
when  there  were  trials  enough  around  us  to  make  the  stoutest  heart 
sad.  I  soon  relieved  him  Friday  night,  and  the  nest  morning  had 
a  short  conversation  with  him,  when  he  suggested  getting  wire  to 
stretch  before  our  line,  and  asked  permission  to  detail  men  for  the 
purpose.  In  a  few  hours  afterwards  it  came  along  the  line,  "Lieut. 
Logan  is  killed."  I  ran  to  the  right  and  found  the  noble  fellow 
weltering  in  his  blood.  The  noble  and  handsome  Logan  slain  by 
the  cruel  foe!  As  I  stood  over  bis  manly  form  and  reflected  on  so 
much  worth  and  youth  buried,  my  heart  bled  at  the  sight !  The 
whole  Regiment  laments  with  you  over  his  untimely  end.  It  may 
be  some  consolation  for  you  to  know  that  he  has  left  an  unspotted 
name— as  a  patriot  and  soldier — and  greater  than  either  as  an  hum- 
ble and  God-fearing  christian,  as  a  heritage  to  his  bereaved  widow 
and  loved  little  ones  at  home  to  point  them  to  paths  of  virtue  and 
honor. 

To  the  God  of  all  mercy— to  Him  who  has  promised  He  will  be 
a  father  to  the  fatherless,  and  a  husband  to  the  widow,  I  commend 
you  and  your  little  children  and  his  noble  father  in  whom  he  took 
so  much  pride.  May  that  God  support  you  all  in  your  sad  bereave- 
ment, and  bring  light  out  of  the  darkness  which  now  overhangs 
you,  and  comfort  out  of  your  sorrow. 

With  sincere  sympathy,  I  subscribe  myself  the  admirer  and 
friend  of  your  departed  husband.  F.   W.   McMastek. 

To  Mrs.  D.  J.  Logan.  Guthriesville,  York  District,  S.  C. 
JOHN    PINCKNEY    LOGAN. 

Similar  in  point  of  facts  is  the  story  of  John  Pinckney 
Logan,  the  younger  of  the  two  lamented  brothers: 

"A  braver  and  more  cheerful  soldier  never  died.  His  piety  and 
trust  iu  God  seems  to  have  been  as  fervtnt  as  his  patriotism.  liis 
devotion  to  the  cause  of  Christ  and  the  cause  of  his  country  was 
alike  unyielding.  At  a  v<  ry  early  age  he  became  a  public  follower 
of  Christ.  At  the  very  opening  of  the  war  he  became  a  soldier.  H  e 
fell  almost  at  its  close,  fully  believing  that  our  cause  would  prevail . 
The  last  letter  he  ever  wrote,  which  was* dated  only  a  few  days  before 
he  fell,  breathes  still  the  spirit  of  the  patriot  and  christian.  Speak- 
ing in  this  letter  to  the  able-bodied  men  who  kept  themselves  out  of 
the  army,  and  reminding  them  of  their  doom  if  subjugated,  he  says  : 
*•  Can  you  submit  to  this?"     I  will  say  no,  never!     Come,  then,  let 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  201 

us  present  an  unbroken  front  in  the  coming  campaign  ;  and  may 
God  help  us,  and  spread  consternation  in  the  ranks  of  our  enemies, 
and  give  us  that  peace — lovely  peace — for  which  we  have  been  so 
long  contending.  I  feel  confident  the  victory  will  be  ours,  if  we 
prove  faithful.  I  hope  the  people  at  home  will  pray  earnestly  for 
the  success  of  our  arms. 

I  hear  with  regret  of  many  wicked  and  fraudulent  practices 
going  on  at  home.  It  seems  as  if  Satan  has  more  liberty  than  form- 
erly, and  is  going  about  as  a  roaring  lion,  seeking  whom  he  may 
devour.  How  can  a  people  expect  a  merciful  Providence  to  smile 
on  us  while  there  is  so  much  wickedness  and  deception  amongst  the 
people  at  home ?  Oh!  that  we  could  feel  our  weakness  and  proper 
dependence,  and  fly  to  the  strong  arms  of  a  merciful  God  before  it 
is  too  late,  and  may  He  spread  His  balmy  wings  over  us  and  protect 
us  and  give  us  good  will  to  one  another,  and  may  the  shout  of  peace 
and  independence  be  heard  from  the  mountains  to  the  seaboard." 

We  subjoin  the  following  tribute  of  respect  to  the  mem- 
ory of  John  Piuckuey  Logan,  from  his  Captain,  the  late 
lamented  Plato  Durham.     The  Captain  says: 

"I  have  had  opportunity  of  observing  his  character  as  a  soldier, 
and, also  his  moral  character  to  a  great  extent,  for  the  last  two  years, 
and  it  has  never  been  my  fortune  to  know  one  of  whom  I  had  a 
higher  opinion  in  these  respects.  I  have  never  seen  a  braver  soldier, 
or  one  whom  I  believed  to  be  a  more  devoted  patriot ;  and  this  is  the 
testimony  of  all,  both  officers  and  men,  who  knew  him.  His  early 
fall  is  universally  lamented  in  the  circle  of  his  acquaintance,  and  all 
feel  that  we  lost  a  comrade  and  friend  whose  place  cannot  be  sup- 
plied. He  has  left  a  record  of  which  his  comrades  and  friends  may 
be  proud,  and  the  emulation  of  his  example  would  be  an  honor  to 
any  soldier  or  christian  patriot." 

The  following  prayer,  taken  from  one  of  his  letters, 
shows  his  fervent  piety  : 

''May  God  of  His  infinite  mercy  preserve  us,  and  protect  us  all 
from  the  shafts  of  the  enemy  ;  and  if  we  are  never  permitted  to  mi  et 
again  on  earth,  but  should  be  destined  to  fall  by  the  hand  of  the  en 
emy ,  or  the  ravages  of  disease,  may  we  all  meet  together  in  the  upper 
and  better  world  where  parting  is  no  more,  and  where  wars  shall 
no  more  disturb  our  peace." 

John  Piuckuey  Logan  entered  the  service  in  the  first 
commencement  of  the  war  at  Fort  Sumter,  as  a  member  ot 
the  Jasper  Light  Infantry  ;  was  several  times  wounded — 
twice  severely— but  he  continued  cheerful  and  fearless  to 
the  day  of  his  death.  On  the  morning  of  that  memorable 
contest  at  Hatcher's  Run,  he  observed  to  a  fellow  soldier  : 
tkI  have* several  times  been  wounded,  and  made  many  hair- 
breadth escapes  from  the  enemies'  bullets,  but  to-day  I  shall 
fall  at  last,"  which  proved  true,  and  was  certainly  a  forebo- 
ding with  him  as  to  what  would  follow. 

26 


202  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

THE  BODY  IGNORES   A  FORMER  DEFINITION. 

The  body,  previous  to  adjournment,  adopted  the  follow- 
ing resolution: 

Resolved,  That  this  body  ignores  the  definition  given  to  the 
Temperance  resolution  at  the  session  held  at  New  Bethel,  believing 
that  passed  at  Pleasant  Hill  in  1859  amply  sufficient. 

The  16th  annual  session  of  1866  met  at  Concord  church, 
Eutherford  county,  N\  C.  The  introductory  sermon  wa3 
delivered  by  Elder  Phillip  E.  Elam,  of  New  Bethel  church, 
from  Psalms  84th  ch.,  11th  verse :  "For  the  Lord  God  is  a  sun 
and  shield :  the  Lord  will  give  grace  and  glory  :  no  good 
thing  will  He  withhold  from  them  that  walk  uprightly." 

The  union  consists  of  16  churches,  with  a  membership 
of  1673. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  Eobert  Poston, 
Moderator,  and  Bro.  Jno.  E.  Logan,  Clerk. 

ELDER  D.  PANNELL'S    MEMORIAL. 

After  the  appointment  of  committees,  and  the  transac- 
tion of  the  usual  routine  of  business,  Elder  Dove  Pannell 
presented  a  memorial  touching  matters  of  grievance  from 
brethren  composing  the  so-called  "Constitutional  King's 
Mountain  Baptist  Association'"  which  was  read,  and,  by 
unanimous  consent  of  the  body,  laid  on  the  table ;  where- 
upon, Elder  James  H.  Yarboro  introduced  the  following 
preamble  and  resolution  : 

Whereas,  We  find  a  disposition  exhibited  by  a  large  number 
of  the  brethren  on  both  sides  of  the  King's  Mountain  Association, 
to  adjust  the  difficulties  now  existing  between  us,  and  whereas,  tbe 
adjustment  is  highly  desirable  by  this  body  ; 

Resolved,  That  the  whole  matter  in  dispute  be  referred  to  a  com- 
mittee of  nine  brethren  from  this  body  to  meet  an  equal  number  of 
of  brethren  from  the  other  division,  to  adjust  the  difficulties 
existing  between  them,  and  in  case  said  convention  should  fail 
to  settle  the  matters  in  dispute,  it  shall  have  power  to  call  in  a  com- 
mittee of  disinterested  brethren  of  undoubted  piety  and  worth,  from 
other  bodies,  and  let  them  adjust  the  whole  matter,  and  we  abide 
their  decision. 

After  some  discussion,  on  motion  of  Elder  L.  M.  Berry, 
the  foreo-oino-  resolution  was  amended  bv  striking  out  the 
words,  "nine  brethren  from  this  body  to  meet  an  equal  num- 
ber of  brethren  from  the  other  division  of  the  Association," 
and  inserting  two  delegates  from  each  church  composing  both 
divisions  of  the  Association.  And  being  thus  amended  the 
resolution  was  adopted. 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  2)3 

A    COMMITTEE    OF    CONFERENCE. 

On  motion,  the  body  appointed  Elders  G.  W.  Rollins, 
L.  M.  Berry,  Jas.  H.  Yarboro  and  ^Phillip  R.  Elam  a  com- 
mittee to  confer  with  the  brethren  present,  representing  the 
other  division  of  the  Association,  and  if  practicable  agree 
upon  a  time  and  place  for  holding  the  convention  contem- 
plated in  the  resolution  just  adopted,  which  committee  im- 
mediately retired,  and  after  consultation  had  with  the  other 
party,  reported : 

That  by  mutual  consent  and  agreement  to  the  proposition  sub- 
mitted, a  convention  would  be  held  with  the  church  at  Zoar,  on 
Friday  before  the  4th  Sabbath  in  October  next,  which  report  was 
/Concurred  in  by  the  Association. 

PUBLICATION   OF    MINUTES    DEFERRED. 

The  following  resolutions  were  then  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  the  publication  of  the  Minutes  of  this  session  of 
the  Association  be  deferred  until  after  the  meeting  of  the  Convention 
at  Zoar,  in  order  that  the  journal  of  said  body  may  be  annexed 
thereto  and  published,  if  so  ordered,  and  that  each  church  be  request- 
ed to  increase  their  contributions  for  that  object.     And  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  all  ministers  of  our  faith  and  order  of  whatsoever 
association  be  requested  to  attend  said  Convention  to  aid  in  council. 
On  motion,  Elder  John  S.  Ezell  was  appointed  and  re- 
quested to  attend  and  preach  a  sermon  introductory  to  the 
proceedings  of  the  convention,  which  appointment  he  ac- 
cepted. 

Query. — The  following  query  from  Lineolnton  church 
was  taken  up  : 

What  is  the  true  Gospel  course  to  be  pursued  where  a  member 
has  been  excluded  from  a  church  for  acts  of  gross  immorality  (such 
as  wilful  lying,)  and  a  sister  church  of  a  corresponding  association 
receives  such  excluded  member  into  fellowship  without  laboring  to 
reconcile  the  church  from  which  the  member  was  excluded,  or  en- 
deavoring to  restore  said  member  to  the  fellowship  of  the  church 
from  which  he  was  excluded  ? 

Answer. — We  believe  that  a  church  transcends  its  proper  limits 

when  it  receives  a  member  excluded  from  another  church   of  the 

same  faith  and  order,  without  first  laboring  for  reconciliation.    And 

we  advise  our  churches  to  be  very  careful  and  cautious  in  such  cases  ; 

but  when  such  cases  do  occur,  we  thinK  all  laudable  means  should 
be  used  to  reconcile  the  two  churches.  And  what  we  say  of  churches 
we  think  the  same  is  true  of  corresponding  associations. 

Remarks. — The  reports  on  the  various  branches  of  asso- 
ciational  work  are  of  great  interest  to  the  reader,  and  the 
session  was  a  very  pleasant  one. 

Elder  Geo.  \V.  Rollins,  failing  to  prepare  a  Circular  Let- 


234  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

ter,  as  appointed  to  do,   the  Clerk  was  requested  to  supply 
briefly  the  lack,  which  is  here  given  : 

CIRCULAR   LETTER. 

To  the  Churches  in   Union  : 

Dearly  Beloved  Brethren  : — The  16th  annual  session  of  our  Asso- 
ciation has  this  clay  closed  in  peace  and  harmony  at  Concord,  and 
although  some  differences  of  views  seemed  to  be  entertained  during 
the  session  in  reference  to  the  reconstruction  of  our  former  associa- 
tional  union,  and  the  method  of  carrying  out  the  principles  of  Tem- 
perance amongst  the  churches,  yet,  in  the  sequel  and  moment  of 
separation  for  our  respective  homes,  the  glowing  countenances  of 
the  brethren  while  taking  the  parting  hand,  seemed  to  say,  "let  by- 
gones be  by-gones  ;  let  there  be  no  more  strife  and  angry  contention 
amongst  the  household  of  faith."  And  the  brotherhood  manifested 
unmistakably  to  each  other  that  christian  charity,  which  envieth 
not,  and  doth  not  behave  itself  unseemly,  seeketh  not  her  own,  is 
not  easily  provoked,  thinketh  no  evil,  but  beareth,  believeth,  hopeth 
and  endureth  all  things.  The  session  was  one  of  no  ordinary  amount 
of  interest  to  the  churches  and  religious  community  generally  ;  be- 
cause measures  were  initiated,  discussed  and  perfected,  having  for 
their  object  the  healing  of  the  sad  breach  in  our  associational  body 
which  now  unhappily  exists,  caused,  no  doubt,  by  extreme  zeal  in 
endeavoring  to  oarry  out  important  measures — which  rupture  has 
been  too  long  neglected,  and  thus  suffered  to  fester  and  generate 
gangreen  upon  our  holy  cause,  and  thereby  clog  the  wheels  of  Zion 
in  our  midst.  It  is  now  however  hoped  that  gracious  oil  has  been 
poured  upon  the  wicked  elements  of  strife,  and  that  peace  and  union 
will  come  forth  out  of  confusion  and  discord. 

It  is  with  feelings  of  gratitude  that  we  inform  you  that  quite  a 
number  of  our  corresponding  brethren  from  sister  associations  at- 
tended with  us  and  gave  us  the  benefit  of  their  counsel,  besides  min- 
istering in  word  and  doctrine  to  anxious  hearers  ;  and  we  are  happy 
to  say  the  advice  given  tended  to  the  cultivation  of  peace  and  chris- 
tian harmony,  for  which  we  feel  truly  thankful,  and  indulge  the 
fond  hope  that  we  shall  not  hereafter  fail  to  appreciate  and  duly 
reciprocate  such  kind  and  benevolent  acts. 

The  reports  from  a  goodly  number  of  our  churches  are  cheering 
indeed  to  the  christian  and  philanthropist.  During  the  past  year 
it  has  pleased  God  to  add  unto  the  churches  by  baptism  233  precious 
souls,  while  the  good  work  seems  to  abound,  and  is  still  progress- 
ing amongst  us.     To  God  be  all  the  glory. 

Dearly  Beloved  Brethren,  the  places  which  now  know  us  will, 
in  a  very  short  time  probably,  know  us  no  more  forever.  Let  us, 
therefore,  eschew  vain  glory  and  dissimulation  ;  let  every  one  esteem 
his  brother  better  than  himself;  let  there  be  no  angry  attempt  to 
arraign  each  other  before  earthly  tribunals,  upon  mere  rumor  or  sus- 
picion of  a  lack  of  fealty  to  the  cause  of  our  common  Redeemer. 
Rather  let  our  eyes  be  fixed  upon  the  heavenly  inheritance  in  reser- 
vation for  the  faithful  at  the  right   hand  of  the  Father  ;  while  an 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  205 

upright  walk  and  godly  conversation  shall  prove  a  lamp  to  our  path 
and  a  light  to  our  feet  while  we  journey  on  through  the  sorrow 
and  cares  of  this  life  to  the  saints'  eternal  rest  in  the  celestial  world 
of  peace  and  love.  "Finally,  Brethren,  whatsoever  things  are  true, 
whatsoever  things  are  honest,  whatsoever  things  are  just,  whatso- 
ever things  are  pure,  whatsoever  things  are  lovely,  whatsoever 
things  are  of  good  report,  if  there  be  any  virtue,  and  if  there  be 
any  praise,  think  on  these  things." 

Fraternally, 

Jno.  R.  Logan. 

As  the  convention  of  the  two  wings  of  the  King's  Moun- 
tain Association  was  held  at  Zoar  church  soon  after  the  ad- 
journment of  the  session  at  Concord,  and  a  settlement  made 
and  agreed  on  by  each  party,  we  deem  it  advisable,  to  pre- 
vent misapprehensions  .about  it,  to  give  in  this  work  a  full 
transcript  of  the  journal  as  published  in  the  Minutes  of  the 
Association  in  1866,  which  is  as  follows  : 

journal  of  the  convention. 

Friday,  October'26,  1866. 

Pursuant  to  a  resolution  adopted  by  the  King's  Moun- 
tain Baptist  Association,  at  its  late  session  at  Concord  church 
on  the  17th  clay  of  September  (ultimo  )  a  Convention  of  del- 
egates, composed  of  each  division  of  the  Association,  this 
day  convened  at  Zoar  meeting  house,  Cleveland  county, 
1ST.  C,  for  the  purpose  of  adjusting  a  matter  of  grievance  ex- 
isting between  the  two  bodies. 

Elder  J.  S.  Ezell,  of  the  Broad  River  Association,  under 
an  appointment  by  the  regular  King's  Mountain  body, 
preached  a  sermon  introductory  to  the  proceedings,  from 
Matt.  v.  16 :  "Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they 
may  see  your  good  works  and  glorify  your  Father  which  is 
in  Heaven." 

Elder  ,\.  C.  Burge  then  led  in  prayer,  and  a  recess  of  30 
minutes  was  given  for  refreshments. 

The  delegates  again  assembled  iu  the  meeting  house, 
and  solemn  prayer  was  offered .  by  Elder  M.  C.  Baruett. 

On  motion  ot  Elder  P.  R.   Elam,    Elder   R.  Poston  was 

appointed  President  yro  tempore,   and  Elder   G.  M.   Webb, 
Secretary. 

The  following  churches  were  represented  by  delegates  : 

Sandy  Run— G.  W.  Rollins,  A.  A.  McSwain. 

Zion — R.  Poston,  D.  Poston. 

Zoar — J.  R.  Logan,  Joseph  Weaver. 


238         KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Double  Springs — J.  H.  Yarboro,  D.  D.  Suttle. 

New  Bethel— P.  R.  Elam,  R.  T.  Hord. 

Pleasant  Hill — J.  A.  Roberts,  James  Poston. 

Big  Spring — Robert  Price,  J.  C.  Lattimore, 

Bethlehem — R.  P.  Logan. 

Olivet — David  Fisher. 

Concord— G.  M.  Webb,  William  Harrilh 

Thessalonica — J.  J.  Hicks,  A.  Baker. 

Lincolnton — L.  M.  Bei'ry,  J.  A.  Parker. 

Bethel  (Catawba) — C.  Clark,  J.  Setzer. 

Bethel  (Rutherford)— D.  Pannell,  W.McArtbur, 

Mount  Sinai — John  Harrill,  Samuel  Wylie. 

Mount  Pleasant — T.  D.  Scruggs,  D.  Scruggs. 

Beaver  Dam — William  McSwain,  John  Bridges. 

Wall's  Church — George  Davis,  Amos  Harrill. 

Sandy  Plains — J.  Walker,  Isaac  Whitesides. 

High  Shoals — Nehemiah  Dobbins,  A.  M.  Robison. 

Mount  Paran— W.  H.  Carroll,  Abel  Earls, 

Mount  Harmony — J.  Earls,  A.  Toney. 
Bro.  J.  J.  Hicks  moved  that  the  delegates  belonging  to 
the  regular  division  of  the  Association  be  formed  into  a  sep- 
arate bod  v.  Bro.  J.  K.  Logan  offered  an  amendment,  em- 
bracing  the  delegates  of  the  other  division,  that  both  be 
merged  into  one  body. 

A  protracted  discussion  followed,  in  which  Bros.  M.  C, 
Barnett,  J.  S.  Ezell,  G.  M.  Webb,  J.  H.  Yarboro,  Jno.  R. 
Logan,  A.  Harrill  and  J.  Bridges  favored  the  amendment ; 
while  Bros.  L.  M.  Berry,  J.  C.  Burge,  R.  P.  Logan,  G.  W. 
Rollins,  A.  A.  McSwain,  J.  J.  Hicks  and  J.  C.  Lattimore 
favored  ,the  original  motion,  which  was  carried. 

On  motion,  the  delegates  of  the  regular  wing  repaired 
to  the  stand  and  organized,  bv  electing;  Elder  L.  M.  Berrv, 
Chairman,  and  Elder  G.  M.  Webb,  Secretary. 

On  motion,  the  Chairman  then  appointed  J.  II.  Yar- 
boro, G.  W.  Rollins,  P.  R.  Elam  and  J.  C.  Lattimore,  a  com- 
mittee to  confer  with  the  other  division  of  the  Association, 
and  all  papers  and  other  matters  in  controversy  were  refer- 
red to  them,  with  instructions  to  report  on  to-morrow  morn- 
ing by  10  o'clock. 

On  motion,  the  Chairman  and  Secretary  were  added  to 
the  committee. 

On  motion  of  ,).  J.  Hicks,  Elder  A.  A.  McSwain  was 
appointed  messenger,  to  confer  with  and  bear  dispatches  to 
and  from  each  wing  of  the  convention  during  their  sittings. 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  207 

Solemn  prayer  was  ottered  by  Elder  J.  II.  Yarboro,  and 
the  body  adjourned  to  meet  again  at  9  o'clock  a.  m.  to-morrow. 

While  the  foregoing  proceedings  were  being  had  at  the 
stand,  the  delegates  representing  the  "constitutional"  wing 
occupied  the  house,  and  proceeded  to  organize  by  electing 
Elder  D.  Paunell,  Chairman,  and  Bro.  W.  II.  Carroll,  Sec'y. 

On  motion,  the  following  brethren  were  appointed  to 
confer  with  the  committee  of  the  other  division  and  labor  for 
reconciliation:  Elder  W.  McSwain,  John  Bridges,  1ST.  Dob- 
bins, A.  M.  Robison,  Isaac  Whiteside. 

On  motion,  the  Chairman  and  Secretary  were  added  to 
the  committee.  The  Chairman  then  invoked  the  Divine 
benediction,  and   the    body   adjourned  until    9  o'clock  to- 


morrow morning. 


Saturday,  October  27,  1866. 

Both  wings  of  the  convention  convened  in  the  house, 
and  solemn  prayer  was  offered  by  Elder  J.  C.  Burge. 

The  roll  of  delegates  was  then  called  and  a  quorum  of 
each  division  answered  to  their  names. 

The  delegates  of- the  regular  body  were  then  requested 
by  the  Chairman  to  occupy  the  seats  on  the  right  of  the  pul- 
pit, and  those  of  the  "constitutional"  body  the  seats  on  the 
left.  Elder  L.  M.  Berry,  as  Chairman  of  the  committee  of 
the  regular  division,  made  the  following  report,  which  was, 
without  discussion,  unanimously  adopted  by  both  wings  of 
the  convention,  which  is  in  words  and  figures  as  follows  : 

We,  the  committee  appointed  by  the   wing  of  the  con-1 
veution    representing  the  churches    composing  the  regular 
King's  Mountain  Association,  beg   leave  to   submit  the  fol- 
lowing- as  our  report : 

Whereas,  The  King's  Mountain  Association  did,  at  its  session 
held  with  the  Pleasant  Hill  church  in  1859,  pass  the  following  reso- 
lution : 

.Resolved,  That  whereas  our  Association  adopted  the  report  of 
the  committee  on  Temperance;  therefore  we  will  withdraw  our- 
selves from  any  church  in  our  union  which  holds  a  member  or  mem- 
bers who  buys,  sells,  or  drinks  as  a  common  beverage  any  kind  of 
intoxicating  spirits,— which  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted, 
and  the  following  year,  at  High  Shoals,  led  to  the  rejection  of  three 
churches;  whereupon  four  others  withdrew,  and  soon  thereafter 
with  the  rejected  churches  formed  themselves  into  an  association, 
known  by  the  name  of  the  "Constitutional  King's  Mountain  Associ- 
ation."    And  whereas,    we  otherwise  having  the  utmost  confidence 


23S  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

in  the  piety  of  the  churches  thus  renting,  as  well  as  the  soundness 
of  their  faith  in  all  the  distinctive  doctrines  of  the  Baptist  denomi- 
nation, and  being  grieved  that  irregularities  have  and  are  still  likely 
to  grow  out  of  this  very  unhappy  affair,  and  that  a  union  of  the  two 
bodies  upon  amicable  terms  is  desirable,  we  would  present  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions  as  expressive  of  the  desire  upon  our  part  to  settle 
the  whole  difficulty,  and  do  most  sincerely  hope  they  will  prove 
satisfactory  to  all  concerned. 

Resolved,  Therefore,  That  while  we  still  maintain  the  princi- 
ples of  temperance,  and  are  willing  and  determined  to  carry  them 
out  in  all  of  our  churches,  yet,  on  mature  reflection,  we  are  convinced 
that  the  resolution  passed  at  Pleasant  Hill  was  unconstitutional,  and 
its  illegitimate  results  was  the  rupture  of  the  body  at  High  Shoals  in 
1860;  and  that  while  we  deeply  deplore  its  results,  the  blame  rests 
on  the  whole  body  at  Pleasant  Hill,  and  that  each  division  of  the 
body  is  equally  responsible  for  the  results  of  the  resolution. 

Resolved,  further,  That  the  King's  Mountain  Association  may 
have  and  doubtless  did  err  in  too  hastily  publishing  the  renting 
brethren  as  in  disorder  ;  and  that  we  believe  both  bodies  have  done 
wrong  in  using  harsh  and   unchristian  denunciations  of  each  other 

Resolved,  further,  That  we  believe  the  minority  did  wrung  in 
proceeding  to  organize  an  association  without  taking  proper  steps  to 
settle  the  difficulty  with  the  regular  body  ;  and  furthermore,  that 
they  did  wrong  in  receiving  Drury  Scruggs  among  them  as  a  minis- 
ter, upon  a  certificate  of  membership  irregularly  obtained,  when 
they  had  good  reasons,  upon  reliable  information,  to  know  that  he 
had  been  deposed  from  the  ministry;  and  furthermore,  that  High 
Shoals  church  did  wrong  in  refusing  to  return  his  certificate  of  mem- 
bership when  called  on  by  the  State  Line  church,  and  in  granting 
the  said  Scruggs  a  letter  of  dismission  in  lull  fellowship,  when  he 
was  about  to  abscond  the  country. 

Resolved,  furthermore,  That  We  will  on  both  sides  recall  all  un- 
charitable resolutions  and  unchristian  denunciations  of  each  other, 
and  that  we  will  next  year  organize  the  King's  Mountain  Associa- 
tion at  Thessalonica  church,  under  its  present  Moderator,  and  upon 
its  present  Constitution,  subject  to  alteration  or  amendment  by  its 
own  provisions. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

L.  M.  Berry,  Chairman. 
An  appropriate  by riin  was  then  sung  and  the  right  hand 
of  fellowship   given  to   each    other,    whereupon  Elder  L.  M. 
Berry  was  unanimously   voted  permanent   President  of  the 

Convention,  and  Elder  G.  M.  Webb,  permanent  Secretary. 
The  President  then  made  a  few  appropriate  remarks, 
and  declared  the  matter  of  grievance  between  the  two  divis- 
ions  of  the  Association  amicably  adjusted  and  settled  ;  that 
they  would  no  longer  be  known  as  the  "regular"  and  ''con- 
stitutional" King's  Mountain  Associations.     The  body  will 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  209 

hereafter  be  known  as  the  "United  King's  Mountain  Baptist 
Association." 

The  following  resolution  was  then  adopted  : 
Resolved,  That  under  a  resolution  of  the  Association  calling  on 
the  several  churches  to  increase  their  contributions  tor  publishing 
the  Minutes  and  journal  of  the  convention,  Elder  P.  R.  Elani,  J.  A. 
Roberts  and  N.  Dobbins  be  appointed  to  receive  funds  for  that  ob- 
ject from  either  churches  or  individuals  ;  and  that  the  Secretary  of 
this  body  be  instructed  to  turn  over  the  proceedings  to  Bro.  Jno.  R. 
Logan,  Clerk  of  the  Association,  and  that  he  revise  the  same  and 
have  them  published  with  the  Minutes  of  the  Association. 

Voted  a  resolution  of  thanks  to  the  brethren  and  friends 
of  Zoar  church  and  vicinity  for  kindness  manifested  in  pre- 
paring for  and  entertainingthe  Convention  during  its  session. 

On  motion,  ordered  that  the  President  sisrn  the  forego- 
ing  proceedings,  and  that  the  same  be  attested  by  the  Sec- 
retary. 

The  President  invoked  the  divine  benediction  on  the 
deliberations,  and  the  body  adjourned  sine  die. 

L.  M.  BERRY,  President. 
G.  M.  Webb,  Secretary. 

Remarks. — Why  Elder  L.  M.  Berry,  "on  mature  reflec- 
tion," became'  "convinced"  that  the  resolution  passed  at 
Pleasant  Hill  in  1859,  was  unconstitutional,  we  are  at  a  loss  to 
know,  as  he  does  not  cite  any  particular  feature  of  that  in- 
strument. "We  have  therefore  examined  it  critically,  and  we 
find  only  two  clauses  that  seem  to  have  any  bearing  upon 
the  matter.  In  the  old  constitution  (which  was  the  one  in 
force  then,)  article  4  reads  :  "This  body  shall  have  no  coer- 
cive power  to  'lord  it.  over  God's  heritage,'  or  to  infringe  on 
any  of  the  internal  rights  of  the  churches  in  union  wrhile 
they  remain  orderly,  but  shall  only  act  as  an  advisory  coun- 
cil in  alb  matters  respecting  their  internal  concerns."  Is  this 
the  clause  that  interdicts  an  associate  bodv  from  withdraw- 
ing  from  a  disorderly,  liquor-loving  church  ?     We  think  the 

Note. — Under  an  invitation  given  by  the  Association  to  minis- 
tering brethren  generally  (of  our  faith  and  order)  to  attend,  we  were 

much  pleased  in  being  able  to  record  the  names  of  Elders  M.  C.  Bar- 
nett,  J.  S.  Ezell,  T.  Dixon,  J.  C.  Burge,  D.  Wray,  and  Bro.  C. 
Durham,  from  other  bodies,  as  being  present  on  the  occasion — some 
of  whom  rendered  material  aid  in  settling  the  difficulty.  Services 
were  kept  up  at  the  stand  for  the  benefit  of  a  larfe  congregation 
who  attended,  and  we  hope  they  were  much  profited  thereby. 

Jno.  R.  Logan,  Asso.  Clerk. 

27 


210  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

exact  reverse,  if  that  is  the  true  view  of  the  case.     The  clause 
strictlv  forbids  the  Association    to  meddle   with  the  internal 
affairs  of  the  church,  for  the  church  itself  alone  has  jurisdic- 
tion of  that  matter,   but  the   clause  of  the  constitution  does 
not  forbid  the  associate  body,  but  guarantees  fully  its  right 
to  withdraw  from  a  church  it  considers  disorderly,  and  of 
that  matter  the  association  must  be  its  own  judge.     Another 
clause  of  the  Constitution  (Article  11)  says  :  The  Association 
shall  have  power  to  exclude  any  church  from  this  union  who 
shall  depart  from  the   orthodox  principles  of  th.6  Gospel." 
Now  if  a  church  should  become  liquor-loving,  and  in  cop- 
seqnence  of  it,  disorderly — although   her    articles    of  faith 
may  appear  orthodox,  and  all  right  on  paper — has  the  Asso- 
ciation no  right  to  judge   of  her  moral    or  religious  status 
and  act  accordingly  ?     So  far  from  discovering  anv  constitu- 
tional  barrier  to  the  action  of  the  Association  in  reference  to 
the  resolution  on  Temperance,  adopted  by  the  body,  we  find 
the  authority  full,  and  in  our    opinion  perfectly   complete. 
Why  then  make  the  concession   as   to  the   constitutionality 
of  the  Association  ?     It  was  enough  to  remind  our  "consti- 
tutional" brethren  that  they  were  represented  when  the  res- 
olution   passed   unanimously.     Why  then  did  they  not  fight 
it  and  enter  on  the  Minutes  of  the  body  their  solemn  pro- 
test ?     They  were   completely   estopped   by  their  own  negli- 
gence, and  should  not  have  rent  off  in  such  hot  haste  without 
making  overtures  for  reconciliation. 

We  do  not  offer  these  strictures  by  reason  of  any  un- 
pleasantness on  our  part.  We  are  more  than  gratified  that 
the  breach  has  been  healed,  and  entertain  the  hope  that  not- 
withstanding many  gibes  and  jeers  have  been  thrown  out 
rather  of  a  demoralizing  nature,  by  each  one  of  the  divisions 
then  existing  as  well  as  by  other  bodies,  and  those  not  of  us 
at  all,  which  were  ot  an  unchristian  character  and  very  un- 
becoming  professing  people,  yet  now  that  is  all  hushed,  and 
will  in  a  short  time  be  forgotten,  and  we  rejoice  greatly  that 
it  is  so.  Let  us  now  pull  solid,  like  a  company  of  horses 
were  formerly  said  to  have  done  in  Pharaoh's  chariots. 

Our  Association  had  been  weathering  the  storms  of  ad- 
versity for  several  years.  Some  of  the  churches  within  our 
bounds  seemed  to  despise  the  day  of  small  things,  and  hail 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  211 

taken  shelter  in  bodies  of  apparent  greater  strength,  and 
which  wielded  a,  greater  influence  and  respectability.  Let 
us  so  live  and  work  as  becomes  the  followers  of  Christ,  and 
in  due  time  we  shall  realize  the  blessings  of  His  grace.  Our 
King's  Mountain  churches  will  all  return  to  us,  if  they  have 
not  already  done  so,  while  others  will  be  built  up  among  us; 
and  we  shall  eventually  become  so  strong  that  the  work  of 
the  Lord,  under  His  own  fostering  care  and  protection,  will 
flourish  in  our  midst,  the  like  of  which  no  one  heretofore 
has  ever  witnessed. 

The  17th  annual  session  of  1867  met  at  Thessalonica 
church,  Catawba  county,  N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  preached  by  Elder  James  H.  Yarboro,  2nd  Kings  v.  29. 
The  union  now  consists  of  25  churches,  and  a  membership 
of  2598. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  J.  H.  Yarboro, 
Moderator,  aiicl  Elder  G.  M.  Webb,  Clerk. 

RE-DISTRICTING    THE    ASSOCIATION. 

A  committee  was  appointed  at  this  session  to  re-district 
the  Association,  who  reported  as  follows: 

All  the  churches  east  of  the  Morganton  or  Post  road  shall  com- 
pose the  First  District.  All  churches  west  of  said  road  and  east  of 
First  Broad  River,  shall  compose  the  Second  District.  All  the 
churches  west  of  said  river  and  east  of  Sandy  Run  creek  shall  com- 
pose the  Third  District.  All  the  churches  west  of  said  creek  shall 
compose  the  Fourth  District.  D.  Setzer,  Chairman.  \ 

Query. — The  following  query  was  taken  up  and  an- 
swered as  follows  : 

i  "What  is  the  proper  course  to  be  pursued  by  the  churches  com- 
posing the  King's  Mountain  Association  in  reference  to  certain 
excluded  members  irregularly  received  of  each  division  of  the  Asso- 
ciation, withouf  letters  of  dismission  ?" 

Answer. — "We  advise  such  churches  to  rescind  their  acts  in  the 
reception  of  such  members ;  also,  we  advise  churches  which  have 
excluded  members  upon  difference  of  opinion,  and  not  for  acts  of 
immorality,  to  rescind  such  acts  of  exclusion." 

The  Circular  Letter  of  this  year  was  prepared  by  Elder 
Robert  Poston,  on  the  subject  of  Temperance. 

The  session  of  this  year  was  a  very  pleasant  one,  but 
the  body  transacted  but  very  little  business  beyond  the  usual 
routine  (Lutheran  surroundings). 

free-will  offerings  for  missions. 

Elder  R.  Poston  introduced  the  following  resolution, 
which  was  passed : 


212  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Whereas,  The  work  of  missions  has  heen  suspended  for  a 
time,  owing  to  the  desolated  condition  of  the  country.  Therefore 
be  it  , 

SesQlved,  That  we  advise  our  churches  composing  this  Associa- 
tion to  take  this  subject  into  consideration,  and  send  up  their  free- 
will offerings  for  that  purpose  to  the  next  session  of  this  body. 

The  18th  annual  session  of  1868  met  at  Mount  Paran, 
lork  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered 
by  Elder  G.  M.  Webb,  Leviticus  xvi.  34.  The  union  con- 
sisted of  25  churches;  membership,  2555.  Baptized  200 
within  the  last  year,  and  dismissed  to  join  other  churches  110. 

The  body  organized  by  the  election  of  Elders  J.  H. 
Yarboro,  Moderator,  and  G.  M.  Webb,  Clerk. 

Under  the  invitation  given  to  visiting  brethren,  Elders 
J.  S.  Ezell,  E.  Allison,  J.  J.  Jones,  and  Bros.  Wm.  Walker, 
Miles  T.  Walker  and  J.  H.  Mills,  editor  of  the  Biblical  Re- 
corder, were  received. 

HUMILIATION  AND  PRAYER. 

After  transacting  the  usual  routine  of  associational  busi- 
ness, the  29th  day  of  October  next  was  set  apart  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  Broad  River  and  other  Associations,  as  a  day 
of  humiliation,  thanksgiving  and  prayer. 

The  Circular  Letter,  prepared  by  Elder  J.  H.  Yarboro 
on  the  subject  of  Missions,  was  read  and  adopted. 

OBJECTS   OF  ASSOCIATIONAL  WORK. 

Missions,  Sabbath  Schools  and  Temperance,  as  hereto- 
fore, was  commended  to  the  attention  of  the  churches. 

The  19th  session  in  1869  was  held  at  Double  Springs 
church,  Cleveland  county,  ~N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  delivered  bv  Elder  Geo.  W.  Rollins,  from  John  ix.  4. 
Churches  in  union,  25  ;    membership,  2713. 

Elder  George  W.  Rollins  was  elected  Moderator,  and 
Elder  George  M.  Webb,  Clerk. 

THE  PAYMENT    OF  JUST    DEBTS. 

After  the  appointment  of  committees  on  the  various 
branches  of  associational  business,  the  following  query  was 
taken  up  for  discussion  : 

"What  should  be  done  with  a  member  who  has  the  means  and 
refuses  to  pay  his  honest  debts?" 

The  subject  matter  was  being  pretty  well  ventilated, 
when  a  motion  was  made  to  lav  the  query  on  the  table, 
which  prevailed. 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  213 

WAKE    FOREST    BENEFICIARIES. 

Prof.  W.  T.  Walters  obtained  leave  to  address  the  body 
in  behalf  of  the  beneficiaries  of  Wake  Forest  College,  and 
a  collection  was  taken  up  of  upwards  of  $50.00  for  educa- 
tional purposes. 

Remarks. — The  subject  of  Ministerial  Education  was 
beginning  to  attract  more  attention  about  this  time  than 
formerly,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  action  taken  at  subsequent 
sessions  of  the  Association. 

A  Bequest. — Bro.  J.  J.  Hicks  brought  to  the  notice  of 
the  body  that  there  was  a  legacy  willed  to  the  Baptist  denom- 
ination by  A.  Mull,  Esq.,  of  Catawba  county,  for  the  purpose 
of  building  a  Baptist  church  within  the  bounds  of  the  Asso- 
ciation, on  a  tract  of  land  in  the  county  of  Catawba;  where- 
upon, the  body  appointed  J.  J.  Hicks,  D.  Setzer,  J.  J.  Sigmau 
and  C.  Clark  a  committee  to  attend  to  the  matter  and  confer 
with  a  committee  of  the  Catawba  River  Association ;  and 
said  committee  are  hereby  instructed  to  transfer  all  the 
claims  of  this  Association  to  the  Executive  Board  of  the  Bap- 
tist State  Convention,  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  the  dona- 
tion and  carrying  out  more  fully  the  will  of  the  testator. 

BAPTIST    STATE  CONVENTION. 

On  motion,  Elders  J.  II.  Yarboro,  G.  M.  Webb,  P.  R. 
Elam,  L.  C.  Ezell,  A.  A.  McSwain  and  Bro.  J.  J.  Hicks 
were  appointed  delegates  to  attend  the  next  session  of  the 
iXorth  Carolina  Baptist  State  Convention. 

Death. — The  demise  of  Deacon  David  Ham  rick,  of 
Boiling  Springs  church,  is  noticed  as  "a  man  of  great  piety 
and  devotion,  and  of  advanced  age." 

The  Circular  Letter  by  Elder  G.  M.  Webb,  on  the  design 
of  Baptism,  was  adopted,  and  the  practice  of  writing  Circu- 
lar Letters  discontinued. 

The  20th  annual  session  of  1870  was  held  with  High 
Shoals  church,  Rutherford  county,  IS".  C.  The  introductory 
sermon  was  ^reached  bv  Elder  R.  P.  Logan,  from  Mark  iv. 
24.     The  union  consists  of  25  churches  ;  members,  2828. 

Elders  George  W.  Rollins  was  chosen  Moderator,  and 
Elder  George  M.  Webb,  Clerk. 

We  do  not  find,  from  the  Minutes  of  this  session,  that 
any  business  outside  of  the  usual  course  was  transacted. 


214  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION, 

Missions. — The  report  of  the  committee  on  Missions,  by 
Elder  T.  B.  Jutiee,  of  Green  River  Association,  who  appears 
as  Chairman,  is  so  appropriate  that  we  give  it  in  full  : 

Your  committee  on  Missions  beg  leave  to  report  that  they  are 
profoundly  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  renewed  and  enlarged 
efforts  in  this  department  of  christian  labor.  That  notwithstanding 
much  has  been  done,  yet  much  remains  to  be  done.  We  have  great 
reason  to  rejoice  that  God  has  signally  blessed  the  efforts  of  our  de- 
nomination heretofore  put  forth  in  the  dissemination  of  knowledge. 
That  He  has  convicted  and  converted  thousands  of  souls  under  the 
ministry  of  your  appointees,  or  those  appointed  by  your  boards  or 
otherwise,  Our  obligation  to  labor  in  this  department  will  not  cease 
xmtil  the  last  sheep  shall  be  brought  into  the  fold  of  Christ.  The 
fields  are  now  white  to  harvest,  and  are  found  in  parts  of  the  terri- 
tory occupied  by  your  Association  as  well  as  in  other  parts  of  the 
State  in  which  we  live — in  the  foreign  fields  now  partially  cultiva- 
ted, and  others  yet  to  be  occupied.  We  believe  that  with  a  little 
general  effort,  the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  blessed  God  might  be  preach- 
ed in  all  the  world.  Your  Association  has  a  membership  of  2825. 
If  each  member  would  contribute  fifteen  cents  it  would  give,  in 
round  numbers.  $141.00  for  Missions  in  your  bounds,  and  a  like 
amount  for  both  State  and  Foreign  Missions.  Although  the  amount 
mentioned  is  small,  yet  we  shall  be  pleased  if  even  this  is  done 
during  the  ensuing  associational  year.  T.  B.  Justice,  Ch'in. 

ACTION  OF  THE  BODY. 

After  the  foregoing  report  was  adopted,  the  body 
appointed  Bros.  J.  A.  Roberts,  E.  J.  Lovelace  and  J.  C.  Lat- 
titnore  a  Missionary  Board,  and  proceeded  to  raise  by  contri- 
butions and  pledges  the  amount  indicated  in  the  report,  and 
only  lacked  $24.00  of  tilling  the  bill. 

The  other  reports  of  committees  show  that  the  session 
was  an  active  and  profitable  one. 

The  21st  annual  session  of  1871  met  with  the  church  at 
Bethel,  Iredell  county,  1ST.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
delivered    by   Elder  G.  M.    Webb.     Text:  1st  Thess.  v.  6. 

"Therefore  let  us  not  sleep,  as  do  others,  but  let  us  watch 
and  be  sober." 

The  church  at  Capernaum,  (which  had  never  joined  this 
body,  preferring  to  remain  a  constituent  member  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  until  now,)  and  the  Shelby  and 
New  Prospect  churches  (which  had  formerly  belonged  to  the 
King's  Mountain  Association,  but  for  reasons  satisfactory  to 
them  had  taken  letters  of  dismission  and  joined  the  Broad 
River  Association,)  made  application  for  admission  into  our 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  215 

union  and  were  cordially  received, — making  a  union  of  28 
churches,  and  a  membership  of  2892. 

The  body  then  organized  by  the  election  of  Elders  Thos. 
Dixon,  Moderator,  and  G.  M.  Webb,  Clerk. 

CHANGE  IN  THE  ABSTRACT  OF  PRINCIPLES. 

On  the  reading  of  the  Abstract  of  Principles  before  the 

body,  the  8th  Article  was  changed  to  read  as  follows : 

"We  believe  that  baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  are  ordinances 
of  Jesus  Christ,  and  that  true  believers  who  have  been  immersed 
upon  a  profession  of  faith  are  the  only  proper  subjects  for  the  Lord's 
table." 

After  having  adopted  the  foregoing  change,  the  12th 
article  was  useless,  and  therefore  stricken  out. 

Remarks. — As  there  is  nothing  much  of  a  special  nature 
to  notice  in  the  proceedings  of  this  session,  we  will  give  only 
the  report  of  the  committee  on  the  State  of  Religion,  which 
appears  to  be  a  sort  of  summing  up  of  associational  matters. 
A  few  of  the  churches  seem  to  have  enjoyed  refreshing  seasons 
of  revival  during  the  past  year,  having  received  160  members  by 
baptism.  For  this  we  feel  truly  thankful.  But  many  of  the  churches 
complain  of  coldness  and  barrenness  ;  othei's  give  rather  meagre 
reports  of  their  condition,  making  no  mention  of  prayer  meetings 
or  Sabbath  Schools,  and  from  a  few  we  have  no  reports  either  by  let- 
ter or  delegates.  We  fear,  therefore,  that  our  people  are  not  making 
proper  efforts  to  advance  the  Redeemers  kingdom  on  the  earth,  and 
we  would  in  love  exhort  them  to  not  sleep  as  do  others,  but  to  watch 
and  be  sober.  Our  missionary  enterprises  at  home  and  abroad  —the 
Sabbath  school  cause,  and  indeed  all  the  appliances  for  the  spread  of 
the  Gospel— require  watchfulness.  We  fear  there  is  too  much  neg- 
lect of  many  christian  duties.  How  is  it  in  reference  to  family 
prayer,  deeds  of  charity,  visiting  the  sick  and  the  afflicted?  Practi- 
cal religion,  we  fear,  is  at  a  low  ebb  among  many  of  us  who  ought  to 
present  better  examples  to  the  world,  to  say  nothing  of  the  church. 
In  looking  abroad  among  the  churches  how  often  do  we  see  pride, 
covetousness,  vain  glory,  intemperance,  worldly-mindedness,  wratb, 
sedition,  idle  gossip  and  frivolities  unworthy  of  the  christian  name 
and  profession  ?  Brethren,  these  things  ought  not  to  be.  Fashion 
and  folly  should  not  be  suffered  to  engross  so  much  of  our  time,  to 
the  neglect  of  christian  duty.  We  should  rather  endeavor  to  keep 
ourselves  unspotted  from  the  world.  We  would  therefore  suggest 
that  every  follower  of  Christ  begin  at  once  to  examine  his  heart  and 

see  whether  he  be  in  the  exercise  of  true,  living  faith,  or  whether  he 
be  guilty  of  the  sin  i  already  hiute  1  at,  or  at  least  some  of  them.  K 
we  rind  ourselves  guilty,  let  us  ask  God  lor  pardon.  If  we  love  God 
Ave  should  at  least  endeavor  to  keep  His  commandments,  and  walk 
in  His  ordinances  blameless.  Then  may  we  expect  to  enjoy  religion 
more,  and  to  have  sweeter  coairuuuion  with   Him.     Let  us  humble 


216         KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

ourselves  under  His  mighty  hand.    Let  us  aspire  to  a  closer  walk 
with  God.  J.  R.  Logan. 

Death. — The  committee  on  Obituaries  reported  the  de- 
mise of  Deacon  Samuel  Harrill,  of  Concord  churchy  who  had 
attained  his  90th  year,  and  had  been  a  consistent  member  of 
the  church  for  more  than  fifty  years,  and  filled  the  office  of 
deacon  a  large  part  of  that  time.  He  went  down  to  the  grave 
much  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him. 

The  22nd  annual  session  of  1872  met  at  Bethlehem 
church,  Cleveland  county,  N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  delivered  by  Elder  Wade  Hill.     Text :  Mark  xvi.  15. 

Mount  Zion  church,  formerly  of  the  Broad  River  Asso- 
ciation, was  admitted  into  the  confederacy  of  churches, — 
making  29  in  all,  with  a  membership  of  32i>0.  Baptized 
within  the  last  year,  192. 

Elders  Thos.  Dixon  was  re-elected  Moderator,  and  Geo. 
M.  Webb  was  re-elected  Clerk. 

The  church  at  Corinth  at  her  request  was  dismissed  to 
join  the  Catawba  River  Association. 

Query.. — The  church  at  Sandy  Plains  sent  up  the  follow- 
ing query  ; 

'•Can  the  majority  of  a  church  grant  a  letter  of  dismission  in  full 
fellowship  to  a  member,  a  minority  voting  against  it?" 
Answered  in  the  negative. 

The  Circular  Letter^  prepared  by  Elder  A.  A.  McSvvain, 
was  adopted.     Subject :  Systematic  beneficence. 

Missions. —  We  give  the  report  of  the   committee  on 

Missions: 

Our  Savior's  last  commission  to  His  disciples  was,  that  they 
should  ,-go  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  crea- 
ture." This  command  is  still  in  lull  force,  and  constitutes  every 
believer  a  missionary.  He  cannot  fail  to  be  a  missionary  in  heart 
and  practice  without  proving  false  to  the  Savior,  whom  he  professes 
to  love.  We  would  call  especial  attention  to  two  departments  of 
labor. 

1.  State  Missions. — During  the  past  year  the  Board  of  Missions 
of  our  State  Convention  has  been  actively  engaged  in  trying  to  sup- 
ply the  destitute  portions  of  our  own  State  with  the  preaching  of  the 
Gospel.  Since  our  last  session  more  than  twenty  missionaries  have 
been  in  the  field  in  different  parts  of  the  State.  Under  their  labors 
several  hundred  persons  have  been  baptized,  several  churches  have 
been  organized,  and  houses  of  worship  at  important  points  are  in 
contemplation  or  in  process  of  construction.  There  have  been  two 
missionaries  at  work  in   this  Association,  to-wit:  Elders  Cobb  and 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  217 

Webb.  They  have  met  with  an  encouraging  degree  of  success.  This 
has  been  the  case  wherever  an  effort  has  been  put  forth.  Everywhere 
there  is  a  readiness — in  some  places  an  earnest  desire — to  hear  us. 
We  only  lack  the  means  to  carry  on  this  work  more  extensively. 
God  seems  to  be  calling  on  us  to  enlarge  our  efforts  and  our  liberal- 
ity in  this  direction. 

2.  Foreign  Missions. — From  all  quarters  of  the  foreign  field  cheer- 
ing intelligence  reaches  us.  Our  brethren  there  tell  us  that  their 
labors  are  blessed  now  more  than  ever,  and  that  new  fields  are  con- 
stantly opening  before  them.  By  a  wonderful  dispensation  of  God 
Rome,  so  long  the  headquarters  of  Anti-Christ,  has  been  thrown 
open  to  us,  and  the  Baptists  are  now  preaching  the  pure  Gospel  in 
the  city  where  Paul  suffered  martyrdom.  Our  brethren  there  are 
asking  us  to  help  them  build  a  house  of  worship.  Let  us  see  to  it 
that  we  do  not  neglect  the  calls  which  come  to  us  from  thesequarters. 

[While  the  Association  was  engaged  in  considering  the 
importance  of  sending  the  Gospel  to  the  world,  the  body  was 
'thrown  into  great  confusion  by  the  sudden  appearance  and 
curses  of  ,one  Newton  J.  Long  who,  in  a  state  of  in  toxica 
tion,  came  on  the  church-yard  with  a  body  of  United  States 
Cavalry,  and  by  their  disorderly  conduct  created  such  excite- 
ment that  the  Association  dispersed  without  a  formal  ad- 
journment. When  the  delegates  started  to  their  homes  they 
found  the  roads  leading  from  the  church  guarded  by  the  sol- 
diers, and  it  was  only  after  considerable  delay  that  they  were 
allowed  to  proceed. 

Remarks. — The  foregoing  entry  is  on  the  Minutes  of 
that  ever  memorable  session,  and  will  serve  not  so  much  as 
a  beacon  hight  to  point  the  future  Baptist  posterity  to  the 
refined  civilization  of  the  nineteenth  century,  but  rather  as 
a  dark  stigma  on  the  secular  government,  which  made  the 
civil  subservient  to  the  military  authority.  This  squad  of 
military  ruffians  pretended  they  were  on  pursuit  of  some  of 
the  Ku  KluxKlan,  which  they  suspected  might  be  attending 
the  services.  And  hence  the  raid  upon  an  orderly,  church- 
going  congregation,  who  supposed  at  least  that  they  could 
exercise  the  God-given  privilege  of  worshipping  Jehovah  at 
the  sanctuaries  prepared  for  that  purpose,  as  well  as  under 
their  own  vine  and  tig  tree  at  home,  without  being  terrified 
and  detained  by  military  myrmidons.  The  sheriff  of  the 
county  was  present,  and  attempted  the  arrest  of  the  leader 
of  the  squad,  but  might  prevailed,  as  it  often  does,  over  th.e 
right,  and  they  left  the  place  disregarding  the  civil  authori- 
ties of  the  State.  \ 

28 


218  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Bro.  J.  R.  Logan  read  the  report  on  Temperance,  which 
was  adopted : 

The  common  definition  of  "Temperance  is  a  moderate  use  of 
things  lawful  and  a  total  abstinence  from  everything  unlawful,  per- 
nicious, or  detrimental  to  good  health  or  morals.  It  is  admitted  by 
all  to  be  a  chief  and  permanent  christian  virtue.  It  has  therefore 
been  the  practice  of  religious  bodies  of  nearly  every  name  and  order 
to  endeavor  to  inculcate  the  duty  of  temperance  throughout  the  hu- 
man race,  and  especially  among  those  professing  godliness.  But 
alas  !  notwithstanding  the  efforts  put  forth  by  the  advocates  of  the 
great  and  good  cause,  we  lament  that  so  little  has  been  done,  or 
rather  that  so  much  yet  remains  to  be  done.  We  see,  on  the  right 
hand  and  on  the  left,  very  many  of  our  young  men  and  old  men  too 
alike  steeped  in  the  foul  sinks  of  intemperance,  perverting  the  cause 
of  christian  progress,  and  that  civil  liberty  which  has  hitherto  been 
recognized  as  the  bulwark  of  every  benevolent  institution  in  our  once 
happy  but  now  distracted  country.  It  was  once  our  boast  that  we 
could  sit  under  our  own  vine  and  fig  tree  and  worship  our  Maker 
according  to  the  dictates  of  conscience.  How  changed  now  is  our 
condition  at  the  present  day  !  By  the  intemperate  administration 
of  the  secular  authority  the  great  bulwark  of  civil  liberty  is  well 
nigh  supplanted  by  military  domination  or  despotism.  The  instru- 
mentalities used  to  carry  out  this  vile  system  of  iniquity  are  often 
of  the  lowest  classes  of  society,  drunken  and  profane,  and  seeming 
to  glory  in  their  shame— invading  at  times  the  sanctuary  of  God, 
disturbing  and  intimidating,  by  deadly  weapons,  whole  assemblies 
convened  for  the  worship  of  the  Most  High.  Over  this  species  of 
intemperance  we  can  exercise  no  jurisdiction  or  control:  We  can 
only  enter  our  most  solemn  protest  against  it,  invoking  the  attention 
of  those  who  have  the  rule  over  us,  and  ask  a  guarantee  of  protec- 
i  tion  in  our  civil  and  religious  rights. 

But  we  call  on  the  churches  that  we  represent  to  arouse  from 
their  slumbers  and  try  to  do  their  whole  duty.  Resolutions  and 
assoeiational  reports  will  avail  very  little  unless  backed  up  by  acts 
conformable  thereto.  Let  th^. churches  purge  themselves  of  intem- 
perate persons,  and  especially  of  those  who  are  guilty  of  drunken- 
ness. Then  may  we  expect  a  better  state  of  things— greater  religious 
health  and  prosperity. 

Deaths. — The  committee  on  Obituaries  reported  the 
demise  of  Sister  Susanna  Ilarrill,  aged  75  years,  and  the 
widow  and  relict  of  our  venerable  brother,  Deacon  Samuel 
Harrill,  whose  death  was  noticed  in  the  Minutes  of  the  last 
session. 

The  demise  of  Deacon  Thomas  Wilson,  one  of  the  orig- 
inal constituents  of  the  Shelby  church,  is  noticed.  He  was 
an  upright  and  useful  man  in  his  generation. 

The  death  of  Bro.  Joseph  Sepoch,  of  Mount  Paran,  is 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  219 

also  noticed  in  their  report.     He  attained  to  a  ripe  age,  and 
lived  before  the  Lord  in  humble,  faithful  service  to  the  last. 

SYSTEMATIC  BENEFICENCE. 

The  following  resolution  was  offered  and  adopted  : 
Resolved,  That  the  delegates  be  requested  to  present  the  subject 
of  Missions  to  their  respective  churches,  and  endeavor  to  secure  the 
adoption  of  some  systematic  plan  for  raising  funds  for  said  object. 
A  GOOD  MAN    HAS  CROSSED    THE  JORDAN. 

Elder  Micajah  C.   Baruett,  of  the  Broad  River  Associa- 
tion, having  died   on  Thursdav  night  before  the  meeting  of 
this  body,  in  the  town  of  Shelby,  within  the  bounds  of  this- 
Association,  his  death   therefore  was  suitably  noticed  in  the 
Minutes  of  the  session.     (See  biography  of  Elder  Barnett). 

The  23d  annual  session  of  1873  met  at  Zion  church, 
Cleveland  county,  ]ST.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
preached  by  Elder  Geo.  W.  Rollins.    Text :  Jude,  3d  verse. 

Antioch  church,  formerly  of  the  Broad  River  Associa- 
tion, was  admitted  into  this  body, — making  a  union  of  29 
churches,  and  a  membership  of  3579. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  Geo.  W.  Rollins, 
Moderator,  and  Bro.  B.  H.  Bridges,  Clerk. 

After  the  usual  appointments  were  made  by  the  body, 
the  following  report  was  considered  and  adopted  : 

Since  your  last  session  there  have  been  in  the  field,  in  different 
parts  of  the  State,  about  forty  missionaries.  They  have  been  occu- 
pying important  positions  in  towns  and  in  the  country.  Their  labors 
have  been  attended  by  most  pleasing  results.  Houses  of  worship 
have  been  commenced  or  finished.  Churches  have  been  organized, 
and  many  precious  souls  have  been  converted  and  baptized. 

In  this  Association  Elder  G.  M.  Webb  has  been  laboring  at  two 
points,  and  at  one  of  them  a  gracious  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  has 
been  enjoyed,  and  more  than  thirty  persons  have  been  baptized. 
Surely  we  ought  to  thank  God  and  take  courage.  There  has  been  a 
lack  during  the  year  just  closing  of  the  liberality  usually  extended 
to  this  work  by  the  churches.  -  We  would  commend  it  to  the  pastors 
within  our  bounds,  and  urge  that  they  bring  it  before  their  churches 
at  least  once  a  year,  and  ask  for  contributions  to  carry  it  on. 

Foreign  Missions. — The  Southern  Baptists  are  occupy- 
ing stations  in  foreign  lands,  as  follows  : 

Africa  and  Italy.— In  China  there  are  fifteen  missionaries  and 
fourteen  native  assistants  In  Italy  there  is  one  missionary  and  six 
native  evangelists.  In  Africa  there  are  thirteen  laborers.  In  all 
there  are  forty-nine  missionaries  and  assistants  sustained  by  the  lib- 
erality of  the  Baptists  of  our  Southern  Zion. 


220  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

From  all  quarters  of  the  field  there  come  the  most  encouraging 
reports.  In  China,  at  all  the  stations,  the  congregations  are  swarm- 
ing in  numbers  and  interest,  and  new  stations  are  calling  for  labor- 
ers. In  Italy  we  have  been  disappointed  in  securing  a  house  of 
worship  in  the  city  of  Bime.  The  funds  raised  are  securely  invested, 
and  when,  in  the  Providence  of  God  the  way  may  be  opened,  they 
will  be  used  for  the  purpose  designed  by  the  contributors.  Mean- 
while the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  goes  on  and  blessed  fruits  are 
growing  out  of  it.  The  supervision  of  the  work  in  that  field  has 
been  entrusted  to  Elder  George  B.  Taylor,  of  Virginia,  a  brother 
whose  praise  is  in  all  the  churches. 

Our  missions  in  Africa  are  in  a  hopeful  condition.  There  has 
been  some  lack  of  the  usual  growth  in  our  missions  in  that  benight- 
ed land,  because  we  have  had  no  white  missionary  for  two  years  or 
more.     It  is  contemplated  to  appoint  a  missionary  at  an  early  day. 

It  is  gratifying  to  know  that  the  Lord  is  blessing  the  efforts  of 
His  people  to  spread  the  Gospel  in  heathen  lands. 

It  is,  however,  matter  for  humiliation  that  there  seems  to  be  so 
little  of  the  spirit  of  foreign  missions  in  this  Association.  Only  one 
of  the  churches  reports  any  contributions  for  this  great  enterprise 
during  the  year  now  closing.  Surely  this  ought  not  so  to  be.  Let 
us  awaken  to  our  duty,  and  endeavor  to  be  more  diligent  for  the 
future.  J.  D.  Hufham,  Chairman. 

After  addresses  by  Elders  Hill,  Hufham  and  Webb,  the 
report  was  adopted,  and  a  good  collection  taken  for  the  ob- 
ject of  missions. 

The  reports  on  the  other  branches-  of  associational  busi- 
ness, such  as  Sabbath  Schools,  Education,  Temperance,  etc., 
were  interesting;  to  all  warm-hearted  christians. 

Bethel  Dismissed. — The  Bethel  church  (Iredell)  was 
dismissed  to  join  another  body. 

The  2nd  Sunday  in  November  was  appointed  as  a  fast 
day  for  spiritual  blessings  received. 

COMMITTEE  TO  REVISE  THE  CONSTITUTIONS 

Resolved,  That^Bro.  L.  N.  Durham,  J.  H,  Yarboro  and  B.  H. 
Bridges  be  appointed  a  committee  to  revise  the  Constitution,  Rules 
of  Order,  and  Abstract  of  Principles,  and  report  on  Friday  of  the 
next  session  of  the  Association. 

The    24th  annual  session  of  1874    met  at    Sandy  Run 

church,  Cleveland  county,  N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  preached  by  Elder  W.  Hill.  Text :  Isaiah  lxii.  6.  The 
churches  in  union,  29  ;   members,  3840. 

Elder  George  W.  Rollins  was  elected  Moderator,  and 
Bro.  B.  EL  Bridges,  Clerk. 

New  Hope  church   was  admitted  into  the  union  at  this 

session. 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  221 

The  committees  on  the  business  of  the  Association  were 
appointed,  and  a  motion  was  made  to  take  up  the  proposed 
oiew  Constitution,  as  reported  by  the  committee  on  revision 
••appointed  at  last  session.  After  a  good  deal  of  discussion,  a 
motion  to  lay  the  matter  on  the  table  was  sustained  by  a 
vote  of  the  body. 

Remarks. — In  1859  objections  were  urged  to  the  old  or 
tirst  Constitution,  and  a  committee  appointed  to  revise, 
which  committee,  through  their  Chairman  (L.  M.  Berry,) 
did  report  a  new  constitution  in  1860,  which  was  adopted 
■according  to  the  forms  or  requirements  of  the  old  constitu- 
tion, but  contrary  to  the  desires  of  many  of  the  brethren 
who  preferred  the  old  to  the  one  then  reported. 

The  body,  however,  was  getting  along  very  well  under 
that  instrument  until  in  1878 — some  of  the  brethren  took 
exceptions  to  the  mere  phraseology  of  the  constitution  .more 
than  to  any  particular  article  or  feature  ot  it.  In  fact,  noth- 
ing that  we  ever  heard  of  appears  objectionable  only  the  10th 
Article,  which  reads : 

Every  church  in  union  having  a  membership  not  exceeding 
fifty  in  number,  shall  be  entitled  to  a  representation  of  two  dele- 
gates, and  one  additional  delegate  for  every  increase  of  fifty  over 
that  number. 

Our  brethren  desiring  a  change  wished  to  incorporate 
into  our  organic  law  an  article  .making  the  ordained  minis- 
ters  of  the  several  churches  a  standing  delegation  ;  or,  ex  officio 
delegates,  independent  of  the  suffrages  of  the  churches, — a 
project  that  is  older  than  the  King's  Mountain  Association  I 
— a  project  that  troubled  the  old  Broad  River  body  a  good 
deal,  as  will  be  seen  noticed  in  this  work  which,  however, 
never  could  receive  the  sanction  of  a  majority  of  the  associ- 
ate bod}7.  Our  Baptist  fathers  were  so  zealous  for  religious 
freedom  and  church  independence  that  they  would  not  tole- 
rate even  their  ministers  to  be  more  than  equal  peers  with 
them  in  a  representative  "point  of  view.  They  invariably 
voted  down  attempts  of  that  kind'  whenever  presented,  and 
quite  a  number  of  ministering  brethren    stood  shoulder  to 

shoulder  with  the  laity  in  doing  so. 

As  stated,  the  report  of  the  committee  on  the  Constitu- 
tion was  laid  on  the  table,  where  it  slept  the  sleep  of  death, 
because  it  would  have  been  impossible,  we  presume,  to  have 


i!22         KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

taken  it  from  the  table  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  body. 
It  was  thought  best  to  let  "well  enough  alone."  The  pres- 
ent constitution  may  not  be  faultless,  still  it  will  be  found  to- 
work  very  well — while  we  think  it  is  hardly  advisable  to  be 
frequently  tampering  with  the  constitutions  even  of  States. 
much  less  of  Associations. 

Sunday  Services.— On  the  Sabbath,  Elders  J.  D.  Huf- 
ham,  G.  M.  Webb  and  W.  W.  Gwin  entertained  the  large- 
congregations  with  excellent  discourses,  Elder  G.  M.  Webb 
preaching  the  missionary  sermon  under  the  appointment  of 
the  Association  last  year. 

The  reports  on  the  several  objects  of  associational  work. 
appear  to  be  of  much  interest.  We  give  Bro.  B.  H.  Bridgesr 
report  in  full ; 

Within  the  bounds  of  this  Association  there  has  been  during  the 
past  associational  year  quite  an  increased  interest  in  this  subject. 
Houses  are  being  built  in  several  localities  ;  one  has  just  been  com- 
pleted on  our  lines,  near  the  Burnt  Chimneys,  superintended  by 
Elder  J.  H.  Yarboro  ;  another  on  Buffalo,  near  Capernaum  church,, 
and  others  are  being  erected  in  other  places. 

While  we  are  glad  to  know  this,  we  cannot  but  urge  that  a 
greater  interest  be  manifested  upon  the  part  of  this  body.  The  sub- 
ject of  education  should  anxiously  concern  every  member, '  if  we 
would  prosper  as  a  denomination.  You,  who  have  children  to  edu- 
cate, should  remember  that  time  is  fast  fleeting  on,  and  it  will  soon 
be  too  late  with  us.  Bretbren,  you  are  the  educators  ;  it  is  by  your 
aid,  your  influence,  your  sympathies  and  your  prayers  that  our 
schools  are  successful ;  and  if  this  body  would  unite  in  one  general 
effort  as  a  body  of  educators  we  would  soon  bring  up  our  denomina- 
tion to  the  desired  point.  Could  we  get  a  Baptist  movement  in  this 
direction,  the  result  would  be  the  uprooting  of  ignorance,  and  the 
diffusion  of  general  intelligence. 

There  is  no  lack  of  schools  within  the  limits  of  this  Association, 
if  they  were  <>nly  patronized.  The  following  are  now  in  operation  : 
First,  one  in  Shelby,  that  is  every  way  worthy  of  your  patronage. 
Elder  W.  W.  Gwin,  principal ;  secondly,  Bridges'  Academy,  which 
asks  a  liberal  share  of  your  patronage;  thirdly,  Burnt  Chimneys, 
which  calls  for  her  share.  Brethren,  these  are  in  our  midst,  and 
will  compare  well  with  other  portions  of  the  State,  if  they  were 
properly  sustained  by  you.  Let  us  try  to  create  a  general  sentiment 
among  the  churches  of  this  Association  in  favor  of  the  diffusion  of 
knowledge  among  our  children.  Let  every  one  be  impressed  with 
the  duty  of  sustaining  (heir  own  schools,  and  learning  for  himself 
the  way  of  life,  and  not  depend  upon  those  who  have  not  our  inter- 
ests at  heart. 

As  a  denomination  we  cannot  excuse  ourselves  on  the  grounds  that 
we  have  no  denominational  schools.  Wake  Forest  College  equals  any 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  223 

in  the  State,  and  is  one  which  thoroughly  teaches  and  practices  the 
doctrines  of  theScriptures  held  by  us  as  Baptists.  This  surely  makes 
us  subject  to  a  high  obligation  to  sustain  said  school  in  imparting 
these  principles  to  our  people.  As  Baptists  we  claim  to  be  the  cham- 
pions of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  and  how  can  we  shun  the  imper- 
ative duty  of  patronizing  and  contributing  in  behalf  of  this  institu- 
tion ?  If  we  would  be  true  to  ourselves  and  our  principles,  we  must 
lend  our  influence  and  our  means  to  those  teaching  and  practicing 
such  principles. 

We  wish  for  success  in  all  the  efforts  being  made  to  endow  Wake 
Forest  College,  and  hope  that  this  Association  will  not  be  tardy  in 
furnishing  her  part.  We  think  it  the  proper  place  for  a  thorough 
eourse  of  instruction  and  Baptist  training.  Young  ministers  espe- 
cially who  are  called  of  God  should  receive  a  course  of  training  at 
this  place,  and  we  would  urge  that  the  churches  take  an  interest  in 
sending  them  there  for  apostolic  training.  Christ  taught  a  three 
years'  school  before  His  students  were  allowed  to  enter  wholly  upon 
the  work.  Our  failure,  brethren,  of  following  this  example — and 
not  only,  failure,  but  the  opposition  to  and  the  rushing  of  them  into1 
the  pulpit  unprepared  for  the  work — is  the  leading  cause  of  errors 
being  made  by  our  ministers.  It  is  an  obstacle<which  impedes  the 
progress  of  our  denomination.  We  would  say  to  the.  brethren  who 
feel  that  it  is  their  duty  to  exercise  a  public  gift,  to  look  to  the  east 
and  consider  whether  you  are  prepared  for  the  work  that  God  re- 
quires at  your  hands.  We  believe  in  a  call  to  the  ministry,  but  as  to 
what  constitutes  this  call  we  do  not  propose  now  to  say — only  that  it 
is  to  prepare  for  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel.  This  seems  to  be  a 
task  to  those  of  much  experience,  they  (the  older  ministers)  seem  to 
■dread  the  work  assigned  them,  and  would  prefer  some  other  depart- 
ment of  christian  duty.  How  is  it  with  the  inexpei  ien<  ed,  who  feels 
that  he  is  called  of  God,  and  must  enter  upon  the  greatest  work  ever 
t"al  len  to  man — the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  of  the  Son  of  God- 

Baptists  outnumber  all  other  denominations  in  the  State,  and 
should  therefore  become  the  leaders  in  education.  Our  children 
-tand  in  need  of  it,  and  let  every  member  of  this  Association  recog- 
nize it  as  his  duty  to  educate  his  children  ;  these  are  the  obligations 
of  Baptists,  if  we  be  right  in  our  belief.  Brethren,  then,  of  the 
King's  Mountain  Association,  we  call  upon  you  to  consider  our  in- 
terests, educationally ;  give  your  sympathies,  unite  your  energies, 
■direct  your  influence,  aid  in  supporting  denominational  schools, 
and  make  one  general  effort  to  dethrone  ignorance  and  establish  the 
reign  of  knowledge  and  truth  within  our  borders. 

B.  H.  Bridges,  Chairman. 
Death. — In  the  report  on  Obituaries  we  read  :  "Our 
tbearts  are  made  sad  at  the  absence  of  Bro.  L.  R.  Rollins. 
Since  our  last  session  God  has  called  him  into  the  association 
of  angels.  He  will  meet  with  us  no  more  on  earth.  This 
young  minister  was  a  model  of  piety,  zealous  in  the  defence 
of  the  Gospel,  and  an  excellent  preacher.     In  the  bloom  of 


224  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION, 

youth,  and  in  the  midst  of  his  preparation  for  a  thorougfo 
course  of  literary  training  at  Wake  Forest  College,  God- 
ealled  him  home.  In  morality  and  religious  zeal  no  young 
man  in  the  limits  of  our  knowledge  was  his  superior.  In 
his  death  our  hearts  are  pervaded  wTith  a  moral  sublimity r 
which  teaches  us  that  we  should  submit  to  the  dispensations 
of  a  wise  Providence,  and  may  we  all  be  as  well  prepared  to 
cross  overv  the  Jordan  that  now  separates  us  from  him," 

The  25th  annual  session  of  1875  was  held  at  New  Hope 
church,  Cleveland  county,  N.  C,  The  introductory  sermon 
was  preached  by  Elder  Thos.  Dixon.    Text  *  John  xiv.  6. 

Buffalo  church  (after  an  absence  of  a  few  years)  return- 
ed, and  was  admitted  into  the  confederacy'  of  King's  Moun- 
tain  churches  again.  The  union  now  consists- of  SO  churches,, 
and  a  membership  of  4019, — a  large  body. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  Thomas' Dixon, 
Moderator,  and  Bro.  Leonida&  M.  Logan,  Clerk. 

OBJECTS  OF  ASSOCIATIONAL  WORK. 

After  looking  over  the  Minutes  of  this  session  we  find 
that  all  the  departments-  of  associational  labor  was  well  rep- 
resented. Another  good  report  on  education  was  made  by 
Elder  J.  H.  Yarboro,  and  a  collection  taken  in  cash  and 
pledges  for  the  beneficiaries  of  Wake  Forest  College. 

Elder  J.  B.  Richardson,  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the 
Baptist  State  Convention  of  North  Carolina,  was  on  hand, 
and  the  cause  of  missions  had  a  good  report  by  Elder  Wade 
Hill,  the  Chairman  of  the  committee. 

Services. — On  the  Sabbath  Elder  Wade  Hill  preached 
a  missionary  sermon,  and  a  collection  of  over  fifty  dollars 
was  taken  up  for  the  objects  of  the  Board.  Eiders  T.  B, 
Justice,  of  the  Green  River  Association,  and  T.  B.  Richard- 
son, of  the  State  Convention,  preached   interesting  sermons. 

The  session  was  a  very  pleasant  one,  and  seemed  to  be 
very  much  enjoyed  by  all. 

Dismissed. — The  church  at  Lincolnton  applied  for  a 
letter  of  dismission  to  join   the  South  Yadkin  Association, 

which  was  granted. 

Query. — The  following  query  from  Double  Springs 
church  was  taken  up  : 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  225 

"Is  it  according  to  Scripture  and  Baptist  usage  to  receive  mem- 
bers excluded  from  other  churches?"     Answer. — ''No." 

The  26th  annual  session  of  1876  met  at  Sandy  Plains 
church,  Cleveland  county,  N.  0.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  preached  by  Elder  Geo.  W.  Rollins.  Text:  Luke  xxiv. 
46,  47.  The  union  consists  of  29  churches,  and  a  member- 
ship ol  4327. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Elder  Thomas  Dixon, 
Moderator,  and  Bro.  Leonidas  M.  Logan,  Clerk. 

The  usual  committees  were  appointed  on  the  different 
departments  of  christian  labor,  and  good  reports  of  progress- 
ive work  within  the  Association. 

Queries. — The  following  little  queries  came  up  from 
Zoar  church  : 

'•Who  are  the  eldership  of  a  church  ?"    Answer. — The  ministers. 
"How  long  ought  a  church  to  hear  with  a  member  who  obtains 
a  letter  and  keeps  it  in  his  pocket,  and  does  not  present  it  to  another 
church  f"  ♦ 

Answer.— Not  more  than  twelve  months  without  explanation. 

Services. — On  the  Sabbath,  Elders  JL  B.  Richardson, 
of  the  State  Convention,  A.  L.  Stough,  of  the  York  Asso- 
ciation, and  George  M.  Webb  preached  interesting  sermons 
to  the  large  assemblage  of  people  with  apparent  good  effect. 

The  27th  annual  session  of  1877  met  at  Pleasant  Hill 
church,  Cleveland  county,  N.  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
.was  delivered  by  Elder  J.  H.  Yarboro,  from  Acts  xii.  8. 

The  church  at  Gastonia  was  admitted  into  the  union, — 
making  a  confederacy  of  30  churches,  and  a  membership  of 
4424.  ' 

Distinguished  Visitors. — Elders  J.  B.  Richardson,  Cor- 
re«sponding  Secretary  of  the  Baptist  State  Conv.enti6n,  C.  T. 
Bailey,  editor  Biblical  Recorder,  J.  A.White,  of  the  Brier- 
Creek,  and  J.  P.  Styers,  of  Rocky  Creek  Association,  were 
all  at  this  session  ot  the  body. 

The  body  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  George  W. 
Rollins,  Moderator,  and  Bro.  Leonidas  M.  Logan,  Clerk. 

After  the  usual  appointments  of  committees  on  the  dif- 
ferent objects  of  the  Association  in  reference  to  christian 
effort,  were  made,  the  discussion  of  reports  as  they  began  to 
be  made,  was  in  order,  and  the  body  enjoyed  it  very  much. 

Missions. — We  give  Bro.  G.  M.  Webb's  report  on  Mis- 
sions, as  follows : 

29  , 


226  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

The  first  Baptist  church  ever  planted  in  North  Carolina  was  or- 
ganized in  1727,  the  second  in  1743,  and  the  third  in  1755.  The  Bap- 
tists could  do  but  little  in  our  State  till  after  American  Independence. 
In  1784  we  had  but  42  churches,  47  ministers,  and  about  3,200  mem- 
bers. Now  we  number  1,442  churches,  793  ministers,  and  over  137,- 
000  members.  Thus  the  missionary  efforts  of  our  people  have  been 
greatly  blessed  within  the  last  ninety  years. 

State  Missions.— Fov  the  last  70  years  there  has  been  a  Mission 
Society  in  our  State  laboring  to  give  the  destitute  sections  the  Gospel. 
At  present  the  State  Mission  Board  is  cultivating  some  ten  impor- 
tant points,  but  this  is  not  one-tenth  of  what  it  ought  to  be  doing. 
The  lack  of  funds  has  greatly  circumscribed  the  Board's  labors.  In 
the  bounds  of  our  own  Association,  Bro.  P.  R.  Elam  has  been  suc- 
cessfully laboring  at  Dallas  and  Gastonia,  as  is  seen  from  his  report 
to  the  Association.  Our  Association  stands  pledged  to  support  Bro. 
Elam. 

Foreign  Missions. — In  this  department  of  christian  effort  our 
labors  have  been  greatly  blessed,  and  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
heathen  have  been  brought  to  Christ  within  the  last  50  years.  We 
must  press  this  work,  also  the  work  of  the  Home  and  Indian  Mission 
Board  oi  our  Southern  Convention,  which  has  done  a  great  work  in 
the  South  during  the  last  thirty  years.  G.  M.  Webb,  Ch'm. 

Remarks. — The  foregoing  is  given  merely  that  the 
reader  may  gather  in  his  mind  how  the  brethren  were  en- 
gaged in  regard  to  missionary  operations  ;  and  now  we  give 
another  paper  to  show  how  the  subject  of  Temperance  was 
cared  for  by  the  brethren  of  this  body. 

Temperance. — That  Temperance  as  a  practical  theme  addresses 
itself  to  the  heart,  conscience  and  intellect  of  every  man,  woman 
and  child.  There  never  has  been  such  a  scourge  permitted  to  visit 
our  race  as  that  of  intemperance,  but  the  general  statistics  of  in- 
temperance we  do  not  propose  to  collect  or  discuss.  We  have  no 
disposition  to  count  the  number  of  ruined  men,  of  wretched  fami- 
lies, of  lost  estates  this  prevalent  vice  has  occasioned  in  our  country. 
What  part  of  our  world  is  exempt  from  this  awful  scourge?  Where 
is  the  scourge  that  can  for  a  moment  be  brought  into  comparison 
with  that  of  intemperance?  It  is  one  that  never  ceases  the  awful 
work  of  destruction. 

Where  is  the  eye  that  sees  not  its  woes?  Where  is  the  ear  that 
hears  not  its  groans  ?  Where  is  the  heart  that  does  not  bleed  be- 
cause of  the  loss  of  some  dear  relative,  friend  or  companion  ?  We 
may  indeed  say  with  the  prophet,  "the  land  mourn eth  because  of 
drunkenness." 

Oh !  what  a  cruel,  horrid  work  is  this  !  When,  when  shall  it 
stop?  Is  there  no  end  to  this  river  of  death?  Is  there  no  remedy? 
Is  there  no  remedy  at  hand?  Yes,  here  it  is  :  total  abstinence  now ; 
total  abstinence  forever  from  all  that  intoxicates.  And  ought  not  a 
redeemed  world  bless  God  for  this  discovery  ?    And  ought  we  not, 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  227 

heart  to  heart,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  press  forward  the  application 
of  such  a  remedy  ?  The  awful  work  of  intemperance  will  never 
cease  until  the  principles  of  total  abstinence  from  all  intoxicating 
drinks  shall  everywhere  prevail.  Never  until  the  name,  the  influ- 
ence of  all  be  solemnly  pledged  to  the  support  of  the  temperance 
cause.  Can  any  one,  young  or  old,  who  but  glances  at  this  subject, 
doubt  for  a  moment  into  which  scale  he  should  throw  the  weight  of 
his  name  and  influence?  Every  one  that  wears  the  badge  of  Christ 
should  see  that  he  does  not,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  give  his  in- 
fluence to  the  use  of  intoxicating  drinks.  Let  each  one  remember 
that  there  is  a  day  of  impartial  reckoning  and  balancing  of  accounts, 
and  that  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  will  do  right ;  that  He  will  mete 
out  strict  equity.  , 

Let  us  then  use  every  laudable  effort  until  the  glorious  work  of 
reform  shall  be  achieved — the  awful  work  of  destruction  shall  cease. 
This  subject  makes  an  especial  appeal  to  the  christian  churches.  It 
was  ascertained  some  twenty-five  years  ago  (and  no  doubt  the  sta- 
tistics would  be  greater  now)  that  intoxicating  drinks  alone  caused 
1,500,000  church  trials,  and  that  thirty-three  American  D.D.'s,  and 
three  of  them  bishops,  had  become  perfect  sots. 

Need  we  be  surprised  at  this  when  it  is  a  fact  that  the  majority 
of  our  churches  do  not  expressly  prohibit  the  use  of  intoxicating 
drinks,  and  some  even  suffer  their  own  members  to  manufacture, 
retail  and  use  intoxicating  drinks  as  a  beverage.     Let  us  therefore 
do  all  we  can  to  suppress  this  monster  evil  until  the  awful  work  of 
destruction  shall  cease,   until  the   destroying  angel   shall  take  his 
flight — earth  shall  burst  into  the  beauty  and  freshness  of  Eden — and 
it  shall  be  published  through  the  utmost  bounds  of  earth,  and  echo 
and  re-echo  through  the  wide  vaults  of  heaven  :  "The  kingdoms  of. 
this  world  are  become  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  His  Christ  for- 
ever and  ever.  A.  L.  Stough,  Chairman. 
king's  mountain  female  seminary. 
Bro.  R.  E.  Porter  introduced   the  followine:  resolution, 
which  was  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  we,  as  an  Association,  heartily  endorse  the  efforts 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  King's  Mountain  Female  College  to 
establish  such  a  college  in  our  midst,  and  urge  them  to  push  their 
work  with  all  their  energies  and  power.  And  we  invite  the  Green 
River  and  any  other  sister  association  to  join  us  in  this  great  enter- 
prise. 

Remarks. — The  foregoing  resolution  very  naturally 
called  out  a' report  from  a  committee  appointed  at  the  previ- 
ous session  in  1876.  At  that  session  Elder  Geo.  M.  Webb 
made  a  motion  (which  was  sustained  by  the  body)  that  there 
be  a  committee  appointed  of  one  from  each,  church  in  the 
Association  to  make  an  effort  to  establish  a  Female  College 
within  the  bounds  of  the  Association,  and  that  said  commit- 
tee be   instructed  to   hold  a  meeting   at   Shelby  on   the  2d 


22^  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Tuesday  in  December,  1876,  to  take  the  matter  into  consid- 
eration. The  committee  appointed  was  W.  B.  Stroud,  A.  G. 
WeatheYs,  Jacob  Hogue,  B.  B.  Blanton,  W.  A.  Thompson, 
J.  A.  Roberts,  J.  C.  Lattimore,  P.  R.  Elam,  G.  T.  Bostic, 
George  Ham  rick,  Jos.  Weaver,  T.  D.  Scruggs,  Berry  Ham- 
rick,  J.  C.  Smart,  M.  C.  Crovvder,  Thomas  Wilkins,  Peter 
Sepoch,  W.  J.  Toney  B.  II.  Bridges,  C.  C.  Durham,  John 
Wray,  J.  L.  Ledford,  E.  R.  Welman,  Hugh  Borders,  J.  R. 
Logan,  VV.  D.  Gaston,  and  S.  J.  Weaver. 

A  quorum  of  this  committee  met  in  the  town  of  Shelby 
on  the  day  appointed  and  obtained  such  information  as  they 
could,  and  being- very  hopeful  as  to  the  success  of  the  pro- 
ject, made  the  following  report : 

That  in  pursuance  of  their  appointment  they  met  together  at 
Shelby  on  the  day  set  by  the  Association,  and,  organizing,  unani- 
mously agreed  to  apply  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  then  in  ses- 
sion, for  a  charter  or  act  of  incorporation  designating  certain  persons 
to  act  as  a  Board  of  Trustees,  to  receive  subscriptions  and  donations 
for  the  purpose  of  defraying  the  expense  of  building,  and  also  to  ob- 
tain by  donation  or  purchase,  a  suitable  site  or  lot  to  build  on,  and 
transact  any  other  business  pertaining  to  the  said  seminary  they 
might  deem  necessary. 

Application  was  accordingly  made,  and  a  liberal  charter  granted 
by  the  General  Assembly,  and  persons  named  therein  to  act  as  Trus- 
tees, who  have  since  met  and  procured  by  donation  from  C.  C.  Bur- 
ham,  Esq.,  (a  liberal  friend  of  education,  in  the  town  of  Shelby,)  a 
very  eligible  and  suitable  lot  whereon  to  erect  the  contemplated 
seminary.  It  is  therefore  no  longer  a  question  of  uncertainty  as  to 
the  erection  of  the  College,  provided  the  4,0' >0  Baptists  belonging  to 
thw  Kind's  Mountain  Association  will  at  once  put  their  shoulders  to 
the  wheel  and,  with  a  united  effi >rt,  roll  up  the  means  necessary  to 
erect  the  superstructure.  We  hope  they  may  feel  inclined  to  do  so 
at  once.  Every  Baptist  within  the  bounds  of  the  Association  will 
certainly  have  denominational  pride  enough  to  put  his  share  of 
bricks  in  a  building  that  will  eventually  prove  to  be  of  incalculable 
benefit  to  us  all — not  only  denominationally,  but  in  many  instances 
individually. 

By  all  means  let  our  daughters  be  educated,  and  untold  blessings, 
mentally  and  religiously,  will  result  to  the  future  Baptist  offspring, 
and  all  these,  too,  whether  Baptist  or  Pedo-Baptist,  who  may  lend  a 
helping  hand  to  build  up  a  school  of  high  grade  in  our  midst. 

The  Trustees  have  resolved  to   raise  ten  thousand  dollars  at  the 

earliest  practicable  period  for  building  purposes.     Your  committee, 

therefore,  hope  that  every  lover  oflitcrary  improvement  will  move 
forward  in  solid  phalanx  and  contribute  his  mite  to  the  undertaking, 
and  let  the  word  "fail"  be  blotted  out  of  their  vocabularies.  Let 
other  objects,   for  a  time  at   least,  be  dropped  (if  need  be]  and  your 


V 

KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  229 

whole  strength  be  put  forth  in  this  one  laudable  and  paramount 
effort,  Let  your  watchword  be,  our  Female  Seminary  must  be  built, 
-and  it  certainly  will  be. 

Your  committee,  in  concluding  this  report,  ask  all  good  christian 
men  and  women  to  join  us  in  praying  God's  blessing  on  so  honora- 
ble and  praiseworthy  an  object.     Respectfully  submitted. 

J.  R.  Logan,  Chairman. 
Remarks. — It  would  seem  from  the  perusal  of  the  fore- 
going, that  the  contemplated  associational  Female  College 
was  almost  a  fixed  fact,  but  it  was  not.  The  brakes  were 
secretly  being  applied  to  the  wheels  that  were  depended  on 
to  roll  up  the  means,  and  consequently  nothing  was  done 
until  the  next  meeting  of  the  Association.  Delays  are  very 
truly  said  to  be  dangerous  to  almost  any  project,  and  it 
proved  to  be  too  true  in  this  case. 

Bro.  James  Love,  who  had  been  in  his  day  a  very  libe- 
ral benefactor  and  giver,  had  made  a  free  donation  of  the 
land  on  which  the  town  of  Shelbv  is  erected, — designating 
in  the  deed  of  conveyance  he  made  to  the  count}',  four  one- 
acre  lots — one  in  each  square  of  the  town,  for  the  benefit  of 
the  four  most  prevailing  religious  denominations,  viz-  Baptist, 
Methodist,  Presbyterian  and  Episcopalian.  Besides  the 
provision  made  for  the  churches  he  also  reserved  from  sale 
two  other  lots,  for  a  male  and  female  academy.  The  lots 
were  of  course  to  be  laid  off  by  commissioners  who,  however, 
never  did  lav  off  the  lots  of  the  character  designated  in  the 
deed  of  conveyance  ;  although  lots  of  a  certain  character 
were  designated  on  the  town  plat  as  church  lots  remotely 
situated  from  the  public  square  or  grounds  of  the  town, — so 
much  so  that  neither  of  the  denominations  of  christians  ac- 
cepted of  them,  but  obtained  by  purchase  other  more  eligible 
and  convenient  lots,  whereon  is  now  erected  the  several 
Church  edifices  of  the  town.  The  same  was  the  case  in  regard 
to  the  lots  designated   for  Academies.     Neither    were    ever 

used;  nor  were  they  laid  off  as  directed  by  Bro.  Love.  In 
all  this  there  Mas  a  fault  c< mmitkd,  and  it  would  seem  that 
it  rests  with  the  Town  Commissioners,  who  laid  off  the  lots 
in  an  unsatisfactory  manner. 

Now,  after  all  this  bungling  work,  in  which  the  inten- 
tions of  the  donor  is  in  a  measure  thwarted,  he  again,  in  the 
goodness  of  his  heart,  comes  forward  after  the  town  is  built 
up — and  awhile  before  his  death — proposes  to  give  a  four- 


230  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

acre  lot  of  land,  embracing  the  most  beautiful  and  conve- 
nient site,  for  a  Female  Seminary  that  our  eyes  ever  beheld- 
Was  it  accepted  ?  We  shall  see  by  the  time  we  get  through 
the  examination  of  the  Minutes  of  next  session. 

Olivet  Dismissed. — Olivet  church  asked  for  and  obtain- 
ed a  letter  of  dismission  to  join  another  body. 

The  28th  annual  session  of  1878  met  at  Boiling  Springs 
church,  Cleveland  county,  IS".  C.  The  introductory  sermon 
was  delivered  by  Elder  A.  C.  Erwin,  from  Micah  iv.  2, 
There  are  29  churches  in  union,  and  a  membership  of  4522. 

The  body  organized  with  Elder  Thos.  Dixony  Modera- 
tor, and  JBro.  B.  H.  Bridges,  Clerk. 

After  the  appointment  of  committees  on  the  assOcia- 
tional  work,  the  following  very  brief  report  was  made  : 

There  has  been  no  action  taken  during  the  past  associationai 
year  in  regard  to  the  employment  of  missionaries,  and  in  the  ab- 
sence of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board  we  do  not  know  whether  any 
funds  for  missionary  purposes  have  been  deposited  with  him  or  not' 

J.  R.  Logan,  Chairman. 

A  proposition  was  then  made  to  discontinue  the  Board 
of  Missions  and  appoint  an  associationai  treasurer,  which 
was  carried,  and  Bro.  B.  H.  Bridges  was  elected  to  fill  the 
place  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Queries. — The  committee  on  Queries  reported  as  follows; 

From   Wall's  church. — "Is  a  church  under  any  obligations  to 

restore  a  person  to  fellowship  who  was  excluded  upon  difference  of 

opinion,  and  who  has  been  in  disorder  a  portion  of  the  time  since > 

without  giving  satisfaction  to  the  church  ?"     Answer. — "No." 

From  Pleasant  Hill  church.— "Does  the  Word. of  God.  or  Sacred 
Scriptures,  condemn  the  practice  of  inviting  penitents  to  present 
themselves  at  what  is  commonly  called  the  mourners'  bench  or 
anxious  seat?  If  so,  wbere  Is  the  passage  to  be  found  condemning 
such  a  course?"     Answer. — "In  our  judgment  there  is  none." 

Kemarks. — -A  while  previous  to  the  meeting  of  the  As- 
sociation, including  the  month  of  August  in  each  year,  is 
what  is  now  familiarly  termed  the  season  of  protracted  meet- 
i  n  gs.     These  meetings  began  to  be  introduced  about  the  vear 

1840,  when  camp-meetings  (with  Baptists)  seemed  to  have 
perished  with  the  using.  It  became  an  admitted  fact  pretty 
generally  that,  at  camp-meetings,  the  evil  overbalanced  the 
good,  and  whenever  that  conclusion  is  arrived  at  in  reference 
to  protracted  meetings,  they  too  will  be  abandoned.  We 
have  no  doubt  but  there  has  been  a  large   amount  of  good 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  231 

<done  at  camp-meetings,  and  also  at  protracted  meetings. 
But  whenever  they  become  too  common  place,  and  the 
improperly-instructed  young  people  begin  to  consider  the 
mourners'  bench  as  the  only  place  where  they  have  a  right 
to  expect  the  outpouring  of  God's  spirit  upon  their  hearts, 
a  general  rally  will  be  there — as  much  because  it  is  the  fash- 
ionable mode  of  getting  religion  as  because  they  are  greatly 
impressed  and  under  deep  conviction  for  sin.  If  the  queiy 
had  been  sent  up  from  Pleasant  Hill  to  know  whether  the 
Word  of  God,  or  the  Sacred  Scriptures  (which  we  think  is 
•about  the  same  thing,  and  consequently  tautologous,)  au- 
thorized (in  common  parlance)  the  mourners'  bench  as  a 
church  fixture  or  religious  appliauce — then  the  Association 
would  probably  have  arrived  at  a  more  definite  answer,  yes 
or  no. 

REPORT  ON   EDUCATION. 

The  more  enlightened  a  people  are,  the  more  easily  can  the  prin- 
ciples and  doctrines  of  religion  be  inculcated.  The  mind  must  neces- 
sarily be  prepared  to  comprehend  a  principle  before  it  will  receive  it* 
Education  prepares  the  mind  to  instigate  and  receive  those  princi- 
ples. Even  among  the  heathen  they  must  be  to  some  extent  enlight- 
ened before  our  missioziaries  are  successful  in  implanting  the  Truth 
as  it  is  in  Jesus.  The  same  holds  good  with  us  as  a  people.  We 
must  educate — enlighten  our  people — before  we  shall  be  able  to  hold 
up  successfully  before  a  gain-saying  world  the  faith  once  delivered 
to  the  saints,  We  are*happy  to  say  that  we  have  a  good  degree  of 
interest  manifested  on  this  important  subject  within  the  bounds  of 
this  Association,  but  regret  to  say  that  this  interest  is  not  as  gene- 
rally diffused  as  it  should  be — the  masses.  The  farmers'  sons  and 
daughters— the  strength  of  our  land — are  not  fully  awake  to  the  im- 
portance the  subject  demands. 

Brethren,  will  you  use  your  efforts  in  assisting  to  advance  the 
interest  of  education  that  we,  as  a  denomination,  may  be  enabled  to 
present  the  Gospel  to  earth's  perishing  millions  with  increased  en- 
ergy and  power?  To  this  end  we  should  labor  to  establish  schools 
in  our  midst  in  which  we  can  educate  our  rising  generation.  We 
are  glad  to  say  that  Bro.  B.  H.  Bridges  has  a  flourishing  school  estab- 
lished at  Boiling  Springs  church.  Bro.  Bridges  is  a  very  efficient 
teacher,  and  well  worthy  of  your  support.  The  writer  would  also 
state  that  he,  as  associate  teacher  in  the  Shelby  Male  and  Female 
High  School,  asks  for  a  liberal  support  at  your  hands. 

Brethren,  second  the  efforts  of  the  Trustees  in  their  endeavor 
to  establish  a  Baptist  Female  College  at  Shelby.  It  must  be  built, 
and  why  not  we  ? 

Brethren,  do  not  suffer  this  enterprise  to  die  on  your  hands.  We 
would  refer  you  to  Wake  Forest  as  our  State  denominational  school. 


232         KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

The  buildings  have  been  materially  enlarged,  the  endowment  is 
progressing,  and  as  a  denomination  we  should  be  proud  of  such  a. 
college— second  to  none  in  the  State,  and  should  be  patronized  by  us, 

J.  A.  White,  Chairman. 

After  remarks  by  Bros.  B.  H.  Bridges,  J.  A.  White  and 
D.  McNeill,  the  report  was  adopted. 

king's  mountain  female  college  again. 

On  motion,  the  above  report  was  followed  by  the  report- 
of  Trustees  of  the  proposed  Baptist  Female  College,  read 
bj7  J.  E.  Logan,  as  follows  : 

At  an  informal  meeting  of  the  Trustees  of  the  King's  Mountain 
Baptist  Female  College,  held  at  the  present  session  of  the  Associa- 
tion, a  quorum  being  present,  the  resignations  of  Andrew  Beam  and 
Thomas  Wilkins  were  accepted,  and  Allen  Bettis  and  J.  L.  Ledford 
recommended  to  the  consideration  of  the  Association  as  suitable 
persons  to  be  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  thereby.  The 
Trustees,  by  reason  of  the  former  locating  committee  failing  to  locate 
the  college  site,  have  therefore  appointed  Allen  Bettis,  B.  H.  Bridges,. 
J.  C.  Lattimore  and  Thomas  Kendrick  to  discharge  that  duty,  and 
have  instructed  them  to  meet  together  in  Shelby  on  the  5th  day  of 
October  next  for  said  purpose,  and  make  their  "written  report  to  a 
meeting  of  the  Trustees,  to  be  held  at  Shelby  on  the  first  Monday  of 
October  thereafter,  and  should  said  committee  disagree,  they  are 
authorized  and  requested  to  choose  a  disinterested  person  to  act  as 
umpire  in  giving  the  casting  vote,  and  thereby  secure  a  location. 

%  Bru.  A.  L.  Stough,  heretofore  appointed  agent  for  the  purpose  of 
soliciting  funds  for  the  college,  is  retained  by  the  board  and  instruct- 
ed to  proceed  in  the  discharge  of  "the  duties  «of  his  agency  as  soon 
as  the  location  is  made  and  confirmed  by  the  board  of  trustees. 

Inconsequence  of  there  being  no  action  taken  in  the  matter 
during  the  past  year,  by  reason  of  the  failure  to  locate,  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  therefore,  in  the  discharge  of  what  they  considered  an  im- 
portant duty,  would  the  more  earnestly  urge  every  friend  of  the  un- 
dertaking to  use  every  effort  to  patronize  and  complete  so  desirable 
an  object.  J.  R.  Logan, 

For  the  Board  of  Trustees. 
The  committee  appointed  by  the  adoption  of  the  forego- 
ing report  attended  on  the  day  appointed  and  located  the 
Female  College  on  the  lot  donated  and  tendered  by  Bro. 
J  as.  Love  as  being,  in  their  opinion,  the  most  suitable  place* 
for  such  a  school,  but  by  reason  of  an  under-current  bearing 
against  the  location  in  the  town  of  Shelby,  the  a«;ent  was 
deterred  from  entering:  on  his  work  to  raise  the  necessary 
funds,  and  by  the  time  the  Trustees  held  their  next  meeting 
with  the  Association  at  New  Prospect  in  1870,  to  approve  of 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  233 

the  location,  it  was  very  plain  to  be  seen  the  College  project 
had  proved  a  failure.  There  was  no  more  done  under  asso- 
ciations] auspices  in  behalf  of  a  female  college  for  the  town 
of  Shelby,  and  the  beautiful  site  reverts  to  the  estate  of 
Bro.  Love,  after  the  lapse  of  five  years,  without  acceptance 
and  occupancy.  The  Shelby  Baptist  church  having  made  a 
more  effectual  move  in  the  direction  of  a  Female  College 
(having  purchased  a  lot  and  now  erecting  the  necessary 
buildings,)  will  in  a  short  time  have  a  school  in  operation, 
and  thus  preclude  all  probability  that  the  lot  donated  by  Bro. 
Love  will  ever  be  utilized  by  the  present  Board  of  Trustees. 

OBJECTS  OF  ASSOCIATIONAL  WORK. 

The  reports  made  at  this  session  on  Missions,  Temper- 
ance, Sabbath  Schools  and  Periodicals  are  all  very  interest- 
ing, showing  a  working  'disposition.  The  Gospel  was  faith- 
fully exhibited  oh" the  Sabbath  by  Elders  J.  A.  White,  A.  L. 
Stough,  (who  preached  the  missionary  sermon)  and  T.  Dixon, 
to  a  very  large  and  attentive  congregation. 

Death. — The  committee  on  Obituaries  reported  the 
death  of  Deacon  John  Keudrick,  of  Capernaum  church,  as 
"a  faithful  servant  of  Jesus — earnest  in  every  good  work, 
and  noted  for  honesty  and  uprightness.  In  his  death  the 
church  and  community  have  met  with  great  loss.  May  we 
bow  in  humble  submission  to  Him  who  doeth  all  things 
well." 

The  29th  annual  session  of  1879  was  held  at  New  Pros- 
pect church,  Cleveland  county,  N.  C.  The  introductory 
sermon  was  preached  by  Elder  Harvey- Hatcher,  of  Virginia, 
at  the  request  of  Elder  J.  P.  Styers.  the  appointee,  from 
John  x.  27.  Pleasant  Grove  and  State  Line  (new  churches) 
were  admitted  into  the  union — making  31  in  all,  and  a  mem- 
bership of  4767. 

The  body  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  A.  L. 
Stough,  Moderator,  and  Leonidas  M.  Logan,  Clerk. 

After  the  usual   routine  of  appointing  committees,  &c, 

the  reception  of  reports  on  the  various  branches  of  labor 
was  in  order,  and  the  body  removed  to  the  stand  as  a  more 
agreeable  place  to  discuss  the  subject  of  missions ;  after  a 
pretty  thorough  ventilation  of  the  question  a  collection  of 
about  $30.00  was  taken  for  State  Missions.  Elder  T.  H. 
30 


234  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

Pritchard,  D.D.,  President  of  Wake  Forest  College  and 
messenger  from  the  Central  Association,  in  the  afternoon 
addressed  the  body  and  spectators  on  the  subject  of  Agri- 
cultural Education.  And  it  was  an  excellent  lecture — replete 
with  good  ideas  on  farming  operations.  We  suspect  the 
Doctor  is  a  granger. 

The  reports  on  the  different  objects  under  the  watch- 
care  of  the  Association  were  all  very  interesting,  but  too 
lengthy  to  copy  and  set  forth  in  this  work. 

Elder  A.  A.  McSwaiu  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  Asso- 
ciation the  demise  of  Elder  Wade  Hill,  recently  of  the  Green 
River  Association,  but  formerly  of  this  body. 

Remarks. — In  our   notice  of  Elder  Hill,  in  a  different 
part  of  this  work,  we  will  notice  the  matter  more  fully.  We 
'  all  knew  the  worth  of  Elder  Wade  Hill,  and  cannot  do  oth- 
erwise than  lament  his  unexpected  departure  so  soon,  to  his 
reward  in  the  celestial  world.     (See  biographical  notice). 

Deaths. — The  committee  on  Obituaries  reported  the 
demise  of  James  Poston,  a  licensed  minister  of  Pleasant 
Hill  church,  "who  did  a  great  work  for  the  Master — will  be 
much  missed  and  long  lamented.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  his 
pious  walk  and  godly  conversation  and  quiet  way  of  work- 
ing will  be  an  example  to  those  who  live  after  him." 

The  demise  of  Bro.  A.  S.  Elam,  a  proficient  member 
and  noble-hearted  deacon,  was  a  worker  in  the  Master's 
vineyard  for  65  years.  Forty  years  of  this  time  he  was  a 
deacon,  first  at  Zion,  then  at  New  Bethel.  He  was  father  of 
our  dear  brother,  Elder  P.  R.  Elam. 

The  demise  also  of  Deacons  Henderson  Roberts,  of 
Pleasant  Hill,  and  W.  R.  Roberts,  of  Mount  Pleasant,  are 
noticed,  "who  were  noted  for  their  deep  piety  and  zeal  for 
the  Master,  have  resigned  their  seats  to  others.  We  can  only 
bow  and  say  God's  will  be  done." 

The  30th  annual  session  of  1880  was  held  at  Double 
Springs  church,  Cleveland  county,  N".  C.  The  introductory 
sermon  was  preached  by  Elder  P.  R.  Elam,  from  1st  Cor. 
xii.  31. 

Long  Creek,  and  Dallas  (a  new  church,)  were  admitted 
into  the  union.  There  are  now  32  churches  in  the  bodv, 
a  membership  of  5277. 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  235 

The  body  organized  by  the  election  of  Elder  Thomas 
Dixon,  Moderator,  and  Bro.  Leonidas  M.  Logan,  Clerk. 

Distinguished  Visitors. — At  this  session  Elders  J.  C. 
Grayson  and  Lewis  McCurry  (old  ministers,)  from  the  Green 
River;.  Elder  H.  Hatcher,  corresponding  editor  of  the  Bibli- 
cal Recorder;  Elder  T.Harrison,  agent  foreign  missions  of 
the  Southern  Baptist  Convention,  and  J.  M.  Williams,  from 
Broad  River,  were  in  attendance. 

The  usual  appointment  of  committees  was  made,  and 
brief  but  very  appropriate  reports  were  handed  in,  discussed, 
and  adopted,  the  body  having  charge  of  Missions,  Education, 
Temperance,  Sabbath  Schools,  Periodicals,  &c.  •>  Bro.  T.  D. 
Lattimore  was  elected  Treasurer  of  the  Association  by  accla- 
mation ;  and  Bros.  E.  J.  Lovelace,  T.  D.  Lattimore,  J.  L. 
Ledford,  B.  B.  Harris  and  J.  D.  Moore  were  appointed  as 
Executive  Committee  of  Associational  missions. 

The  committee  on  Obituaries  reported  the  demise  of 
Deacon  George  Herndon,  of  Bethlehem  church,  "who  had 
been  a  faithful  servant  for  a  number  of  years  and  was  beloved 
by  all  who  knew  him).  Forty-six  others  have  died  during 
the  year.  While  so  many  have  passed  over  the  river,  we 
trust  our  loss  has  been  their  eternal  gain.  We  can  only  bow 
and  say  God's  will  be  done.  J.  P.  Stybrs,  Ch'm." 

The  31st  annual  session  of  1881  was  held  at  Buffalo 
church,  York  county,  S.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
preached  by  Elder  W.  A.  Nelson,  of  the  Shelby  church, 
from  Numbers  xiii.  30. 

Churches  in  union,  31;  total  membership,  5473. 

Elder  Thos.  Dixon  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  Bro. 
Leonidas  M.  Logan,  Clerk. 

Reports. — The  reports  made  by  committees  on  the  dif- 
ferent objects  of  the  Association  this  year  are  very  interest- 
ing. The  body  appeared  to  be  in  good  working  order.  We 
had  with  us  Elders  J.  B.  Boone  and  W.  L.  Brown,  repre- 
sentatives of  the  Biblical  Recorder  and  Baptist  Courier.  Also 
Prof.  H.  W.  Reinhardt,  Principal  of  Thomasville  Female 
Seminary, — besides  quite  a  number  of  corresponding  mes- 
sengers of  other  bodies. 

We  give  the  report  on  Education  by  Prof.  Reinhardt : 

It  neeus  no  argument  to  prove  that  education  is  a  mighty  power 


236  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

in  every  department  of  human  thought  and  energy.  Surely  none 
will  deny  that  the  subjection  of  the  world  to  King  Emanuel  is  the 
one  grand  ultimate  aim  set  before  the  subjects  of  Christ's  Kingdom, 
before  which  all  other  aims  and  ends  dwindle  into  utter  insignifi- 
cance, and  to  which  they  must  all  be  made  subservient.  God  de- 
mands that  we  shall  use  all  the  means  and  appliances  He  has  placed 
within  our  reach  to  increase  our  power  and  efficiency  in  His  service, 
and  to  aid  in  the  establishment  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ  in  the 
world.  Should  we  not  therefore  gratefully  avail  ourselves  of  the 
privileges  of  education  for  our  children  afforded  by  such  schools  as 
the  Shelby  High  School,  Coopnr  Limestone  Institute,  Thomasville 
Female  Seminary,  Judson  College  at  Henderson ville,  and  Wake 
Forest  College,  all  under  Baptist  auspices  and  deserving  the  liberal 
support  of  the  Baptist  brotherhood  of  this  Association.  We  desire 
to  add  an  earnest  word  in  behalf  of  female  education.  If  we  would 
even  occupy  the  commanding  position  in  the  great  army  of  salvation 
to  which  our  principles  entitle  us,  we  must  educate  our  girls  as  well 
as  our  boys.  We  especially  urge  the  brethren  to  aid  those  young 
men  from  our  own  midst  who  are  seeking  an  education  at  Wake 
Forest  College  and  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Louisville,  Ky., 
that  they  may  give  themselves  with  greatly  enlarged  power  and  use- 
fulness to  the  great  work  of  the  Master  in  the  proclamation  of  the 
Gospel.  H.  W.  Reinhardt,  Chairman. 

Afte^r  remarks  "by  Elder  W.  A.  Nelson  and  others  the 
report  was  adopted,  and  the  sum  of  one- hundred  and  three 
dollars  raised  by  cash  and  pledges  for  the  benefit  of  young 
brethren  Beam,  White  and  Hord,  now  at  Wake  Forest -Col- 
lege, preparing  for  the. ministry. 

The  following  report  on   Sabbath    Schools  by  Elder  A. 

A.  MeSwaih  was  adopted  : 

The  great  and  glorious  work  of  Sunday  Schools  is  but  a  return 
to  a  spiritual  work  of  reading  and  expounding  the  Scriptures,  as  was 
the  custom  of  the  Jews — a  practice  confirmed  by  the  acts  of  our 
Saviour,  and  practiced  by  the  Apostles.  Many  of  our  churches 
report  flourishing  Sunday  Schools,  which  shows  a  return  to  the 
Apostolic  practice.  Many  of  our  churches  are  meeting  every  Sab- 
bath for  some  kind  of  religious  service,  but  as  there  are  no  repor  s 
from  some,  we  fear  there  is  not  much  doing  for  this  glorious  work 
as  should  be,  but  we  hope  much  more  is  being  done  than  is  reported. 
We  recommend  that  a  more  faithful  effort  be  made  upon  the  part  of 
all  in  trying  to  make  our  Sunday  Schools  more  interesting,  and  to 
establish  schools  where  there  are  none.  We  would  also  recommend 
the  Sunday  Schools  to  take  a  greater  interest  in  the  meetings  of  the 
Sunday  School  Convention  of  the  eastern  division  of  the  Association, 
and  the  Sunday  School  Institute  of  the  western  division— two  very 
flourishing  and  interesting  bodies  holding  their  sessions  on  the  5th 
Sabbaths,  commencing  on  Friday.  A.  A.  McSwain,  Ch'm. 

Remarks. — Elder  W.  A.  Nelson    and  Prof.   Reinhardt 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  237 

made  very  appropriate  remarks  on  the  subject  of  Sabbath 
Schools,  showing  the  great  benefits  resulting  from  the  usual 
good  training  had  there  ;  and  contrasting  the  present  with 
the  past  of  many  years  ago,  when  our  children,  for  the  want 
of  such  nurseries,  were  often  seduced  and  led  into  sinful  and 
vicious  practices.  Why  is  there  not  more  attention  paid  to 
Sabbath  Schools  ? 

REPORT  ON  FOREIGN  MISSIONS. 

The  Foreign  Mission  enterprise,  though  feeble  and  unpropitious 
in  its  inception,  has  been  successful  in  its  undertakings, — that  it  is 
now  the  admiration  of  the  world,  and  its  success  teaches  not  to 
"despise  the  day  of  small  things."  Shall  we,  amid  these  brilliant 
victories,  slacken  our  energies  and  lay  down  our  arms?  No,  but  if 
possible  let  every  christian  philanthropist  redouble  his  efforts,  and 
then  the  light  of  eternity  will  fully  reveal  the  joyous  fruits  of  such 
efforts. 

Brethren,  are  our  present  efforts,  our  benefactions,  our  prayers, 
even  in  a  proximate  degree,  commensurate  with  the  great  end  to  be 
accomplished,  the  mighty  results  to  be  realized  ?    Truth  compels  us 
to  answer  "No!"  far  from  it.     And  why  this  delinquency?     Why 
is  it  that  so  many  of  our  churches  and  so  many  individual  christians 
whom  God  has  blessed  with  abundant  means,  evince  so  little  interest 
in  this  great  work  ?     Is  it  not  strange  that  christians  should  need  to 
be  convinced  o;"  a  duty  so  plain — or,    if  convinced  already,  should 
need  any   persuasion  to  urge  them  to  its  performance?    Can  they 
wilfully   neglect  this  great  and  solemn  duty  without  disgracing  the 
christian  name?    Shall  the  cause  of  God  suffer?    [Shall  the  world 
perish  because  christians  love  their  money  or  themselves  more  than 
they  love  Christ?    Let  such   remember  who  said,   'he  that  loveth 
houses  and  lands,  or  his  own  life  more  than    Me,   is  not  worthy  of 
Me."     Did  we  not  pledge  ourselves  at  the  altar  of  our  christian  pro- 
fession to  devote  ourselves  to  the  cause  of  Christ?    The  understand- 
ing was  that  our  time,  our  talents,  our  all  was  to  be  given  to  Christ, 
and  shall  we  now  make  it  the  object,  of  our  lives  to  seek   riches, 
honors,  or  pleasures  of  the  world?    Shall  we  serve  ourselves  instead 
of  Him   who  loved  us  and  bought  us  With  His  blood  ?    Millions  on 
millions  have  already  perished  because  processing  christians  have 
loved  the  things  of  this  world  more  than    the  i-ouls  of  men.     The 
heathen  now  alive  must  receive  the  Gospel  or  perish.     We  hold  their 
eternal  destiny  in  our  hands,  and  if  we  will,  with  the  promised  help 
of  God,  we  can  secure  them  from  everl/isiing  ruin.    Brethren  in  the 
ministry,  to  .you  especially  and  for  your  reflection,  we  propound 
thtse  inquiries,  and  may  we  not  further  ask,  are  you  faithfully  dis- 
charging your  duty  to  the  churches  to  which   you  have  been  called 
to  minister  in  holy  things?    May  not  much  of  this  sin  lie  at  your 
doors  ?     Do  you  faithfully,  without  the  fear  of  man  but  in  the  fear  of 
God,  "reprove,  rebuke,  exhort  with  long  suffering  and  doctrine?" 
May  God  enable  us  all,   ministers  and  people,   to  clear  our  skirts  of 


538         KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

the  blood  of  the  perishing  heathen.  Let  us,  by  our  fervent  prayers 
and  increased  liberality  in  the  future,  atone  for  our  past  negligence 
and  indifference.  A.  L.  Stough,  Chairman. 

The  report  was  adopted,  and  the  body  decided  to  take 
up  a  collection  on  the  Sabbath  and  make  an  equal  division 
between  Foreign  and  State  Missions.  The  collection- 
amounted  to  $50.00. 

REPORT  ON  STATE  MISSIONS. 
It  is  a  cause  for  joy  that  our  State  Mission  Board  is  doing  so- 
much  to  supply  destitute  places  with  the  Gospel,  and  to  aid  weak 
churches  in  supporting  their  pastors.  The  work  of  this  Board  is  en- 
larging every  year.  This  year  there  are  26  missionaries  at  work  in 
our  State — a  larger  number  than  has  ever  been  employed  by  this* 
Board  at  any  one  time.  It  is  very  important  that  the  large  territory 
now  destitute  of  Baptist  preaching  in  our  own  associational  bound* 
be  supplied.  Nothing  is  being  done  in  this  direction  except  by  the 
^tate  Board.  A  member  of  our  own  Association  is  under  the  em- 
ploy of  the  State  Board,  doing  all  he  can  to  meet  the  demands  of  the 
case,  but  where  so  much  destitution  exists,  one  missionary  is  by  no 
means  adequate  to  the  work.  Your  committee  earnestly  recommend 
increased  contributions  for  our  State  work.  Let  all  the  churches 
send  up  means  as  God  prospers  them,  and  let  us  take  deeper  interest 
in  this  most  important  work.  W.  A.  Nelson,  Ch'm. 

The  foregoing,  after  appropriate  remarks  from  some  of 
the  brethren,  was  adopted. 

HOME   AND    INDIAN    MISSIONS. 

The  committee  reported  as  follows : 

Missions,  oh  !  what  a  grand  work !  We  are  indebted  to  all  who 
have  not  the  Gospel ;  hence  an  obligation  to  cultivate  our  own  terri- 
tory There  is  a  large  destitution  within  the  bounds  of  our  own 
Association  to  which  your  attention  was  called  at  the  last  session  of 
our  body.  Much  interest  has  been  taken  in  this  work,  but  for  want 
of  action  on  the  part  of  the  Board,  but  little  has  been  done.  Westill 
claim  that  this  body  should  cultivate  this  field. 

The  poor  Indian  has  been  driven  westwardly  from  his  native 
home,  and  we  have  grown  rich  from  his  soil.  Therefore  we  are 
doubly  bound  to  show  him  sympathy  by  sending  him  the  Gospel. 

P.  R.  El. am,  Chairman. 
The   foregoing  report   was  adopted,  and   Elder  A.   L. 
Stough  selected  as  Missionary  to  labor  his  whole  time  in  the 
destitute  fields  within  our  own  bounds  for  the   next  associa- 
tional year  ;  and  the  Association   covenants  to  give  him  for 

his  services  six  hundred  dollars,  which  appointment  he  ac- 
cepted. 

RELIGIOUS  LITERATURE. 

The  committee  reported  as  follows  : 
If  it  is  the  duty  of  your  com  nitt^e  to  select  and  recommend 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  239 

soicii  reading  as  will  best  defend  our  faith  and  practices  as  a  denom- 
ination we,  without  hesitancy,  recommend  the  Biblical  Recorder  as 
a  medium  best  calculated  to  meet  these  demands.  The  religious 
press  is  the  most  powerful  auxiliary  in  the  spread  of  the  Gospel,  and 
since  the  reading  of  journals  is  very  common  among  our  people,  we 
think  our  denominational  organ  should  first  find  a  place  in  every 
family. 

If  we,  as  Baptists,  would  know  what  the  brethren  are  doing  all 
over  the  State  and  in  other  States,  read  the  Recorder.  If  you  would 
have  your  children  trained  in  contributing  liberally  to  the  different 
objects  of  benevolence,  read  the  Recorder.  And  if  you  would  have 
the  contributions  of  the  different  churches  increased  read  and  cir- 
culate the  Recorder.  Controverted  points  of  doctrine  are  discussed 
as  much  perhaps  in  the  Recorder  as  from  the  pulpit,  and  hence  how 
important  that  we,  as  Baptists,  whose  duty  it  is  to  contend  earnestly 
for  the  faith  once  delivered  unto  the  saints,  should  have  the  great 
Defender  of  Truth  in  our  midst.  Your  committee  believing  that  in 
no  other  way  can  knowledge,  piety  and  usefulness  be  increased  for 
■so  little  money,  urge  the  hearty  support  of  the  Biblical  Recorder  by 
this  Association,  and  each  church  to  strive  to  increase  its  circulation 
during  the  next  year.  Your  committee  recommends  that  each 
church  appoint  one  of  her  members  to  look  after  her  interests  in  this 
respect,  and  endeavor  to  place  the  Recorder  in  every  family  through- 
out the  bounds  of  the  Association. 

The  Kind  Words  is  the  paper  for  Sunday  Schools,  and  if  you 
would  be  acquainted  with  our  missionaries  in  the  field,  read  the 
Foreign  Mission  Journal.  B.  H.  Bridges,  Ch'm. 

After  appropriate  remarks  by  Elders  J.  B.  Boone  (and 
W.  L.  Brown,  who  represented  the  Baptist  Courier,  and  ex- 
pressed the  hope  that,  although  it  was  of  another  State,  yet 
it  would  be  properly  appreciated,)  the  report  was  adopted. 

Eemarks. — Religious  literature  is  certainly  too  much 
neglected  by  Baptists  generally  within  the  bound's  of  the 
writer's  knowledge.  We  have  known  some  good  brethren 
living  in  affluence  and  surrounded  by  everything  apparently 
necessary,  in  a  temporal  point  of  view,  to  make  life  comfort- 
able ;  but  at  the  same  time  while  stopping  with  one  of  the 
brethren  of  that  description,  and  becoming  somewhat  hun- 
gry (as  we  frequently  do)  for  mental  food,  we  found  access  to 
his  library  (?)  to  make  a  selection  of  something  to  suit  our 
taste,  when,  to  our  astonishment  and  chagrin,  wre  could  find 
nothing  more  than  the  fragments  of  a  cheap  copy  of  the 
Scriptures,  a  few  school  books,  and  probably  a  half  dozen 
Patent  office  reports  !  Not  a  newspaper,  religious  or  secular, 
or  anything  else  of  a  readable  nature  excepting  that  blessed 


2  JO  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

old  mutilated  volume  of  the  Scriptures,  could  we  find  to 
gratify  our  cravings  for  literary  food.  Right -sure,  it  might 
be  expected,  our  stay  with  that  brother  would  be  made  as 
brief  as  possible.  There  is  in  our  opinion  no  investment 
that  pays  better  dividends  or  interest  than  a  sum  of  money 
judiciously  used  in  the  procurement  of  such  books  and  papers- 
as  teud  to  the  culture  and  enlightenment  of  the  mind.  The 
world  is  a  large  book  to  those  who  have  never  traveled 
much,  or  read  anything  beyond  the  mere  title  page.  It  is- 
the  opinion  of  some  scientists  and  divines  that  a  great  part 
of  our  engagements  or  employment  in  the  Heavenly  world, 
after  death,  will  be  the  study  and  completion  of  the  higher 
branches  of  literature,  of  which  in  this  life  we  obtain  no 
greater  knowledge  than  a  mere  smattering.  The  most  highly 
cultivated  and  profound  of  mankind,  after  having  obtained 
diplomas  as  the  graduates  of  the  highest  schools  of  the 
known  world,  just  begin  to  seej^he  immensity  of  the  yet  un- 
explored fields  of  science  and  literature.  No  marvel,  there- 
fore, that  such  should  be  the  conceptions  or  ideas  of  many. 

What  does  the  Apostle  Paul  meau  when  he  says: 
"There  is  one  glory  of  ihe  sun,  and  another  glory  of  the 
moon,  and  another  .glory  of  the  stars;  for  one  star  clifTereth 
with  another  star  in  glory."  Is  the  learned  and  profound 
Sir  Isaac  Newton  to  take  only  an  even  start  in  the  Heavenly 
world  with  that  good  brother  of  the  mutilated  Bible  and 
Patent  office  Reports,  in  surveying  and  noting  the  great 
mysteries  there?  And  will  the  progress  of  each  be  the  same 
in  eternity,  regardless  of  culture  in  this  world?  If  so,  then 
is  literature  almost  worthless,  for  life  is  only1  a  span.  We 
c  nit'ess  our  inability  to  answer  the  questions  we  have  pro- 
p  >U!ided.  We  however  prefer  to  know  all  we  can  in  this 
present  world,  and  not  depend  on  intuition  or  uncertain 
knowledge  being  given  us  by  instinct  after  death. 

We  are  glad  to  see  the  great  change  that  has  taken  place 
within  the  last  half  century.  It  is  true,  the  facilities  tor  ob- 
taining knowledge  are  much  greater  than  then,  but  that  is 
attributable  to  the  march  of  literature  and  cultivated  intel- 
lect. Where  there  is  no  education  there  is  no  improvement. 
Witness  the  almost  extinct  aborigines  of  this  country.  They 
.never  did   in    their   savage  state    make  any    improvements 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  241 

worthy  of  the  name.  Witness  also  Africa,  where  the  native 
population  are  heathens,  and,  without  culture,  will  ever  re- 
main so.  At  present  they  are  but  little  above  the  level  of 
the  brute  creation. 

Then  let  every  parent  feel  that  it  is  an  imperative  duty 
he  owes  to  his  children  to  strew  their  pathway  in  life  with 
the  best  of  literature  and  plenty  of  it. 

Bro.  T.  D.  Lattimore  asked  leave  to  introduce  a  resolu- 
tion, as  follows : 

Resolved,  That  the  ordained  ministers  of  the  King's  Mountain 
Association  be  hereafter  constituted  ex  officio  members  of  this  body. 

It  was  adopted. 

Remarks. — Bro.  Lattimore  being;  a  young  man  was 
probably  not  aware  of  the  troubles  already  had  by  the  old 
mother  body  (the  Broad  River  Association,)  in  regard  to  that 
matter,  or  he  would  have  held  up  his  resolution.  For  many 
years  there  were  attempts  made  to  fasten  a  rule  of  that  kind 
upon  that  Association,  but  it  was  opposed  by  a  majority  of 
the  brethren  and  finally  abandoned. 

When  the  King's  Mountain  body  was  formed,  the  Con- 
stitution adopted  by  the  body  (Article  8)  fixed  the  represent- 
ation as  follows  : 

Every  church  in  the  union  having  a  membership  not  exceeding 
fifty  in  number,  shall  be  entitled  to  a  representation  of  two  delegates 
in  the  Association  ;  and  when  their  number  exceeds  100  members 
and  does  not  exceed  150,  they  shall  be  entitled  to  three  delegates  ; 
when  over  150  and  not  exceeding  200,  four  delegates. 

Then  in  1860  the  body  adopted  the  Constitution  which 
now  governs  the  Association.  In  it  the  matter  of  represent- 
ation is  fixed  by  Article  10  : 

Every  church  in  union  having  a  membership  not  exceeding  50 
in  number,  shall  be  entitled  to  a  representation  of  two  delegates, 
and  one  additional  delegate  for  every  increase  of  5 )  over  that  number. 

The  constitution  fixes  the  question  of  representation, 
and  consequently  any  resolution  of  the  body  making  the 
ordained  ministers  of  the  churches  ex  officio  delegates,  would 
be  plainly  unconstitutional  and  void. 

We  have  given  our  views  as  to  the  propriety  of  the  rule 
as  adopted,  in  another  part  of  this  work,  and  will  therefore 
add  nothing  more. 

REPORT    ON    OBITUARIES. 
Sixty-three  members  of  churches  within  our  bounds  have  passed^ 
away  to  "that  bourne  from  whence  no  traveler  returns."     Amongst 

31 


242  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

the  number  are  two  aged  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  to-wit :  Elders 
Dove  Pannell  and  Wm .  McSwain.  Elder  Pannell  was  a  native  of 
South  Carolina,  but  immigrated  to  this  State  (N.C.)  many  years  ago, 
and  in  the  year  1844  was  ordained  to  the  Gospel  ministry  by  Elders 
James  M.  Webb  and  S,  G.  Hamilton.     In  1851  he  was  a  member  of 

the  Convention  that  organized  the  King's  Mountain  Association, 
and  preached  the  introductory  sermon  before  that  body  and  subse- 
quently was  several  times  chosen  to  preside  over  the  deliberations  of 
the  Association.  He  died  March  26th,  1881,  in  a  triumphant  faith, 
in  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel.     Aged  74  years. 

Elder  Wm.  McSwain  died  in  May  last,  about  75  years  of  age ; 
had  been  exercising  in  the  ministry  about  45  years,  rendering  faith- 
ful services  in  tbe  cause  of  Christ  within  the  bounds  of  the  King's 
Mountain  Association.  "Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord 
from  henceforth  ;  yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their 

labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 

J.  R.  Logan,  Chairman. 

Sunday  Services. — On  the  Sabbath,  prayer  and  praise 
service  was  conducted  at  the  stand  by  Prof.  H.  W.  Bernhardt. 
Dr.  W.  A.  Nelson,  then  preached  one  of  his  thrilling  and 
soul-stirring  sermons,  followed  by  Elders  J.  B.  Boon  and 
prayer  by  Elder  Geo.  W.  Rollins. 

Remarks. — This  was  one  of  the  most  pleasant  meetings 
we  ever  attended.  The  body  now  numbers  considerably 
over  5000  strong,  and  it  is  now  able  to  accomplish  much  for 
the  Master.  May  it  stand  firmly  united  and  continue  ever 
to  present  a  bold  front  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  to  battle 
valiantly  against  the  powers  of  dar/kness. 

The  32d  annual  session  met  at  Bethel  church,  Ruther- 
ford county,  1ST.  C.  The  introductory  sermon  was  delivered 
by  Elder  A.  L.  Stough.  The  union  consists  of  86  churches, 
5  new  churches,  viz :  Ross'  Grove,  Zion  Hill,  Leonard's 
Fork,  Shady  Grove  and  Fair  View,   making  a  membership 

of  5676. 

The  body  organized  by  electing  Bros.  James  Y.  Ham- 
rick,  Moderator,  and  Leonidas  M.  Logan,  Clerk. 

After  the  appointment  ot  committees  and  the  usual  rou- 
tine work  had  been  done,  the  committee  on  State  Missions 
reported  as  follows : 

There  is  a  larger  number  of  missionaries  under  the  general  su- 
pervision of  the  State  Mission  Board  than  at  any  time  during  our 
past  history — 38  in  all — more  than  half  of  whom  are  paid  entirely 
by  the  Board,  the  others  by  the  different  Associations. 

At  the  last  session  of  the  Baptist  State  Convention  a  number 
of  pledges  were  made  by  individuals  churches  and  Associations. 
Among  them  was  one  from  this  Association  of  one  hundred  dollars. 


KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  243 

Of  this  amount  only  $5.95  has  been  paid,  leaving  a  balance  of  $94.05 
yet  unpaid.  We  are  informed  by  Jbro.  John  JE.  Ray,  the  Secretary 
of  the  Board,  that  the  third  quarter's  salaries  ofthe  missionariesare 
now  due,  and  the  Board  is  without  funds.  The  work  ofthe  State 
Mission  Board  in  supplying  neglected  fields,  and  aiding  points,  de- 
serves our  earnest  prayers  and  liberal  contributions.  Let  us  fully 
meet  the  pledge  made  in  the  Convention. 

Our  missionary,  Bro.  A.  L.  Stough,  has  been  aided  by  the  State 
Mission  Board,  and  it  is  a  matter  for  rejoicing  to  us  all  that  his 
labors  have  been  so  blessed  of  God,  an  account  of  which  is  given  us 
in  his  report  herewith.  A.  L.  Stough, 

J.  P.  Styeks, 
T.  D.  Scruggs. 
Our  missionary,  A.  L.  Stough,   made  Lis  report  in  con- 
nection with  the  report  ou  State  Missions  as  follows  : 

Dear  Brethren  : — The  time  has  arrived  when  it  becomes  my  duty 
to  submit  to  you  my  report  as  your  missionary.  I  have  traveled 
1,8S0  miles,  preached  207  sermons,  attended  30  prayer  meetings,  aid- 
ed in  the  constitution  of  2  churches,  ordination  of  8  deacons  and  1 
minister,  visited  461  families  religiously,  received  by  letter  and  expe- 
rience 88,  supplied  5  churches,  and  occasionally  preached  at  5  out- 
stations,  attended  8  protracted  meetings,  and  organized  3  Sabbath 
Schools  It  was  expected  that  before  now  the  church  edifice  atLin- 
colnton  would  have  been  ready  to  be  occupied.  In  this  we  are  dis- 
appointed, owing  chiefly  to  the  failure  of  the  crops  last  season  ;  c(  n- 
sequently  the  scarcity  of  money,  and  besides  I  could  not  spare  the 
time  from  my  work  to  collect  funds  already  subscribed.  The  wall  is 
ready  for  the  roof.  We  have  a  central  location.  The  building  when 
finished  will  be  such,  we  think,  as  the  existing  and  prospective 
wiints  of  our  denomination  require  in  Lincolnton.  lam  pledged  to 
give  the  next  two  months  by  way  of  traveling  in  the  interest  of  thi,s 
church.  The  brethren  at  Dallas  have,  during  this  year,  completed 
one  of  the  handsomest  churches  in  the  county.  This  house  reflects 
credit  upon  the  few  members  for  their  generous  contributions.  I  at- 
tended a  meeting  of  several  weeks'  continuance  at  this  place  ;  it  is 
believed  nearly  40  persons  made  a  profession  of  religion — among  this 
number  were  several  infidels.  The  church  is  now  self-sustaining 
and  has  procured  a  pastor.  The  church  at  Gastonia  is  making  an 
effort  to  build  a  house.  We  have  here  a  beautiful  location  —a  lot 
centrally  located,  the  generous  gift  of  Rev.  S.  Head  and  his  good 
lady.  Unfortunately  there  still  seems  to  be  a  want  of  united  action. 
(Several  prominent  Baptists  have  moved  to  this  place. 

The  Baptist  church  of  Shady  Grove  was  constituted  on  the  25th 
of  November  last.  The  baptismal  waters;  have  been  troubled  here 
several  times  this  year.  The  church  displayed  a  commendable  zeal 
in  building  a  house  of  worship  during  the  very  inclement  weather 
or  last  winter.  This  church  is  now  self-sustaining,  and  her  pastor, 
Bro.  J.  A.  Hoyle,  is  doing  a  good  work  here;  he  seems  to  be  "the 
right  man  in  the  right  place."  He  is  azealous  worker  in  the  Lord's 
vineyard. 


244  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

'•'The  Leonard's  Fork  church  was  constituted  April  25th,  1882. 
This  church  is  making  a  strenuous  effort  to  build  a  house  of  worship. 
The  Lord  has  done  a  wonderful  work  here,  but  the  limits  of  this  re" 
port  do  not  admit  us  to  enter  into  details.  I  have  preached  occasion- 
ally at  other  points  where  I  believe  large  and  efficient  churches  could 
be  organized,  if  we  could  occupy  the  field  as  we  ought.  I  have  been 
everywhere  kindly  received  and  encouraged.  Oar  cause  is  undoubt- 
edly advancing.  Much  of  the  former  prejudice  has  been  removed. 
Many  who  were  uninformed  and  opposed  to  us  are  now  sincere 
friends.  But  our  work  is  not  yet  finished— much,  very  much  remains 
to  be  done.  The  great  destitution  which  exists  within  our  bounds  , 
calls  upon  us  in  the  most  imperative  manner  to  increase  our  exer- 
tions to  give  to  the  destitute  the  preached  word. 

The  calls  that  have  been  made  upon  me  are  more  than  two  mis" 
sionaries  could  answer.  We  need  for  this  field  men  of  deep  piety 
and  sound  practical  sense.  And  now,  brethren,  having  to  the  best 
of  my  ability  performed  the  duty  assigned  me  by  your  body,  I  most 
respectfully  tender  to  you  my  resignation  as  missionary.  In  sever- 
ing the  ties  that  have  existed  between  us,  let  me  assure  you  that  it  is 
done  with  the  kindest  of  feelings  and  best  wishes  for  your  success. 
And  my  sincere  thanks  are  tendered  to  all  the  friends  Of  this  enter" 
prise  for  their  encouragement  and  kindness  shown  to  me.  May  the 
great  Head  of  the  church  preside  over  all  your  deliberations,  and 
crown  your  measures  with  abundant  success  is  the  sincere  wish  of 
your  humble  servant.  A.  L.  Stough. 

Suitable  and  appropriate  remarks  were  made  by  Bros. 
Dr.  W.  A.  Nelson  and  1ST.  B.  Broughton,  and  the  report  was 
adopted. 

A  good  report  on  Religious  Literature  was  made  by 
Elder  G.  M.  Webb,  and,  after  suitable  discussion,  adopted 
by  the  body. 

Able  reports  were  also  made  on  Foreign  Missions,  and 
on  Home  and  Indian  Missions,  and  fully  discussed  by  Elders 
Mallary,  Nelson,  Webb  and  others. 

Deaths. — The  demise  of  Deacons  Abraham  Hardin,  of 
Antioch  church  (aged  92  years,)  and  George  Hamrick,  of 
.Bethel,  are  noticed  in  the  obituary  report;  and  also  that  of 
Elder  Ransom  P.  Logan,  who  had  died  within  the  present 
associational  year. 

The  amount  of  funds  for  missionary  purposes  we  believe 
was  raised,  and  the  old  associational  board  re-elected.  The 
session  was  a  very  agreeable  and  pleasant  one,  and  largely 
attended  by  the  people,  who  seemed  to  enjoy  the  remarks  bw 
Bro.  Broughton  on  Sunday  Schools ;  and  the  missionary 
sermon  by  Elder  R.  D.  Mallary  on  the  Sabbath. 

We  here  close  our  journalistic  notices. 


SUMMARY.  215 


CHAPTER  V, 

SUMMAEY. 


We  have  thus  briefly  noticed  the  working  of  both  the 
Broad  River  and  King's  Mountain  Associations  from  the 
time  of  their  formation  to  the  present  year  (18S2).  "We  have 
given  the  business  items,  session  after  session  respectively  ; 
-and  although  there  has  not  been  as  much  done  for  the  Mas- 
ter as  might  have  been,  yet,  everything  considered — the 
■darkness  of  the  times,  the  disadvantageous  circumstances 
under  which  our  pioneer  fathers  had  to  labor,  and  the  com- 
bined opposition  to  the  powers  of  darkness,  we  feel  to  say  it 
•might  have  been  much  worse  than  what  it  is.  For  many 
years  after  the  organization  of  the  Broad  River  Association, 
•a  large  portion  of  the  territory  of  which  it  was  then  com- 
posed was  an  uncultivated  wilderness,  covered  with  little 
else  than  moral  darkness,  and  destitute  almost  entirely  of 
the  enlightening  influences  of  the  Gospel.  In  the  strict 
sense  of  the  word  this  territory  was  missionary  ground.  In 
an  area  of  3000  square  miles  there  was  only'sixteen  Baptist 
churches  then  planted,  and  they  often  thirty  or  forty  miles 
apart  from  each  other.  Only  f«jw  self-denying,  God-fearing, 
uneducated  ministers  were  to  be  found  willing  to  take  ud 
the  cross,  and  attend  at  these  churches  oeaastonally,  and 
there  endeavor  to  preach  the.unsearchable  riches  of  Christ 
without  pecuniary  compensation,  or  even  in  my  thanks.  A 
few,  however,  did  go  forth  under  great  disadvantages  and 
preach  to  such  as  had  their  hearts  opened  by  the  Spirit  to 
attend  and  hear  their  burning  words.  And  although  the 
destitution  was  then  extensive,  the  large  vacuum s  have  since 
been    pretty  well   filled  up  by  the  Baptist  denomination,  to 

say  nothing  of  the  operations  of  other  religious  sects  of 
christians.  During  the  last  half  of  the  present  19th  century 
churches  have  become  numerous  in  the  territory  mentioned, 
we  are  unable  now  to  say  how  many  might  be  numbered  in 
the  original  bounds  of  the  Broad  River  Association.     In  the 


243  SUMMARY, 

territory  embraced  in  the  present  Broad  River  and  King's- 
Mountain  bodies,  there  are  more  than  three-score  churches,, 
while  numbers  of  others  have  been  organized  within  the- 
original  lines  and  dismissed  to  become  constituent  members- 
of  other  associations,  themselves  occupying  a  portion  of  the- 
original  Broad  River  boundary, — amongst  which  mav  be 
mentioned  the  Catawba  River,  the  Tyger  River,  the  Green 
River,  the  York,  and  Spartanburg,  etc.,  while  a  large  and 
respectable  corps  of  ministers  corresponding  with  the  increase 
of  churches  have  been  reared  up  among  us — numbers  of 
whom  are  able  ministers  of  the  New  Testament,  respectable 
for  natural  talent,  who  preach  fluently  without  the  polish  of 
education,  while  not  a  few  have  received  the  drilling  culture 
of  high    schools,  and  carry  with   them   collegiate  diplomas. 

How  great  is  the  contrast  now  with  the  period  of  1800  I 
—the  period  of  the  organization  of  the  Broad  River  Asso- 
ciation. It  has  been  derisively  said,  even  by  Baptists,  that 
the  Broad  River  Association  only  held  its  annual  meetings 
to  hear  an  introductory  sermon  by  one  of  its  most  popular 
preachers — elect  a  moderator  and  clerk,  and  elect  a  suitable 
person  to  write  a  Circular  Letter  on  some  very  abstruse  or 
mysterious  subject,  to  be  addressed  to  the  several  churches 
composing  the  body — and  then  to  enjoy,  while  the  session 
lasted,  luxurious  feasting  on  the  rich  viands  and  good  things 
generally  so  bountifully  prepared  by  the  brethran  and  sisters 
during  the  associational  year,  expressly  for  the  occasion. 

We  well  know  that  the  ''loaves  and  fishes"  often  carry 
with  them  an  influence  now,  as  they  did  during  the  time  of 
Christ's  incarnation ;  but  to  allege  that  such  was  the  chief 
inducement  to  hold  annual  meetings  is  not  only  a  slur,  but  a 
shameful  allegation,  and  no  one,  we  presume,  will  be  deter- 
red from- duty  thereby.  While  we  admit  a  careful  perusal 
of  the  records  of  the  several  sessions  of  the  Broad  River 
Association,  for  man}'  years  after  its  organization,  might  be 
productive  of  such  an  impression,  yet  no  one  not  there  pres- 
ent on  those  interesting  occasions  could,  from  his  present 
standpoint,  be  fully  able  to  appreciate  the  great  amount  of 
real  good  resulting  from  the  ministerial  labors  of  the  unvar- 
nished men  who  figure  1  as  embassadors  for  Christ  at  that 
day  and  faithfully  plead  His  cause  before  a  gain-saying 
world.     Bv  the  efforts  of  such,  the  christian  cause  received 


SUMMARY,  247 

an  impetus  which  the  powers  of  darkness  have  not  since  been 
able  to  subvert  or  hinder.  The  good  work  has  gradually 
rolled  on,  crushing  by  its  ponderous  weight,  every  obstacle 
thrown  in  its  way  by  men  and  devils,  until  now  the  records 
appear  much  brighter  than  when  in  its  incipient  state.  The 
churches  having  increased  in  numbers  and  wealth,  measures 
are  constantly  being  put  on  foot  to  disseminate  the  Gospel  or 
good  news  of  life  and  salvation  to  "earth's  remotest  bounds." 

The  beginning  of  these  measures  in  the  early  days  of 
the  Associations  was,  of  course,  rather  a  day  of  small  things? 
but  not  to  be  despised  on  that  account.  Every  thing  must 
have  a  beginning,  and  it  generally  requires  time  to  make  a 
proper  development  of  any  thing,  be  it  useful  or  otherwise. 
We  should  "let  patience  have  her  perfect  work."  Although 
seasons  and  prospects  be  sometimes  gloomy,  yet  if  the  seed 
be  planted  or  sown  broadcast,  in  due  time  there  will  be  a 
harvest, — it  may  be  thirty,  sixty,  or  a  hundred-fold  of  in- 
crease that  shall  be  reaped. 

In  noticing  the  recorded  items  in  the  early  Minutes  of 
the  Broad  River  Association,  and  also  of  the  King's  Moun- 
tain body,  we  discover  almost  nothing  recommended  or  en- 
couraged by  the  brethren  of  that  day  and  time  that  we  have 
now  to  regret,  while  at  the  same  time  we  see  much  recorded 
that  meets  our  hearty  approbation.  In  noticing  those  who 
"were  most  couspicuous,  and  occupying  a  high  place  on  the 
watch-towers  of  Zion,  we  can  but  regret  deeply  the  irregu- 
larities and  shameful  foibles  of  a  few,wTho  were  instrumental 
in  bringing  reproach  and  lastiug  shame  not  only  on  them- 
selves, but  on  the  cause  of  Christ  also,  which  they  had 
espoused  to  cherish  and  defend  from  the  malignant  shafts  of 
the  emissaries  of  the  wicked  one  !  Every  man's  work  will 
be  tried  as  by  fire,  and  wre  shall  be  judged  according  to  the 
deeds  done  in  the  body,  whether  they  be  good  or  bad. 

Some  of  the  good  brethren  of  the  Broad  River  Associ- 
ation were  greatly  opposed  to  the  dismemberment  of  the 
parent  body  to  form  new  ones.  "Let  us,"  said  some,  "stand 
united,  and  build  up  a  strong  body  and  make  ourselves  re- 
spectable in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  not  only  for  intelligence 
but  for  numbers  also."  This  was  doubtless  the  promptings 
of  ambition  and  pride  to  excel  all  others ;  a  principle  that 


24S  SUMMARY. 

lurks  about  the  human  heart  which,  although  in  a  degree 
commendable,  yet  savors  too  much  of  ostentation,  folly  and 
pride.  That  the  divisions  that  have  taken  place  in  the  Broad 
River  Association  have  tended  to  the  furtherance  of  the- 
Oospel  of  Christ,  no  one  will  now  pretend  to  deny.  Proba- 
bly more  than  two-fold  have  been  the  efforts  to  propagate 
Christianity  since  the  divisions  were  made,  while  the  fruits- 
resulting  have  been  correspondingly  large.  The  King's 
Mountain  Association,  which  at  first  was  but  a  small  offshoot 
from  the  parent  stem  (having  then  only  a  membership  of  a 
little  over  a  thousand  souls,)  has  now  nearly  six  times  that 
number,  while  the  parent  body,  after  several  depletions  and 
the  formation  of  the  Spartanburg  Association,  together  with 
dismissions  to  join  other  bodies,  has  still  a  membership  of 
over  3500  souls,  with  a  lar^elv  increased  number  of  newlv 
constituted  churches, — so  that  instead  of  disbanding  her  or- 
ganization, as  many  alleged  the  Broad  River  would,  she  pre- 
fers to  take  a  more  judicious  and  commendable  course — not 
only  to  struggle  for  a  mere  existence,  but  to  build  up  all  the 
waste  places  and  cultivate  all  her  abundant  territory  by 
planting  new  churches  at  every  accessible  and  available 
point,  and  thereby  holding  out  inducements  for  the  return 
of  other  churches  who  formerly  belonged  to  her  body.  We 
bid  her  God-speed,  and  say  to  the  Broad  River :  be  thou  as 
the  "stone  cut  out  without  hands;"  roll  on  until  you  shall 
become  a  great  mountain,  from  which  shall  radiate  in  every 
direction  or  point  of  the  compass  the  good  news  of  salvation, 
— that" all,  from  the  least  to  the  greatest  within  your  limits, 
may  learn  Messiah's  name,  and  the  knowledge  of  God  spread 
over  the  whole  earth,  as  the  waters  cover  the  face  of  the  great 
deep. 

Having  gone  through  the  journalistic  part  of  this  work, 
we  will  next  proceed  to  give  brief  sketches  of  the  ministers 
who  at  anv  time  belonged  to  either  of  the  associate  bodies, 
whose  records  we  have  endeavored  to  preserve.  The  Broad 
River  being  the  parent  body,  we. shall  designate  those  belong- 
ing at  any  time  to  the  same  in  contradistinction  from  the 
King's  Mountain  ministers,  in  the  alphabetical  list  that  we 
make, — from  which  it  will  appear  that  several  of  them  hate 
at  different  times  belonged  to  each  of  the  Associations  and 
labored  as  co-workers  together  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  May 
each  in  a  coming  day  receive  from- the  Master  the  plaudit, 
'•Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant;  enter  thou  into  the 
joys  of  thy  Lord  !"  And  may  God  continue  to  bless  and 
prosper  the  work  of  evangelization  in  all  parts  of  the  habi- 
table globe.     Amen  ! 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  249 


CHAPTER  VI. 

SKETCHES   BIOGRAPHICAL   OF     THE  MINISTERS  OF  THE    BROAD   RIVER 
AND  KING'S   MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST   ASSOCIATIONS. 


Abernathy,  Elder  Alexander  was  born  in  Lincoln 
county,  N.  C,  March  13th,  1790.  His*  birth  place  is  near 
Mountain  Island  Shoal,  on  the  Catawba  River.  He  remained 
at  that  place  until  he  was  nine  or  ten  years  of  age.  During 
that  period  of  time  Smith  Abernathy,  his  father,  made  a  pro- 
fession of  religion  and  joined  the  Presbyterians  at  a  church 
called  Hopewell,  of  which  Rev.  Humphrey  Hunter  was  pas- 
tor; and  wishing  to  teach  his  children  strictlv  in  all  the  doe- 
trines  of  the  church,  he  had  Alexander,  his  son,  when  about 
six  or  seven  years  of  age,  "dedicated  to  the  Lord"  in  baptism 
by  sprinkling.  Shortly  after  this  he  removed  from  that 
place  and  settled  nearer  to  Lincolnton,  on  a  stream  known 
as  Dutchman's  Creek,  but  not  being  yet  suited  in  a  situation 
after  remaining  there  a  few  years  he.  again  moved  to  the 
northwestern  extremity  of  the  count}7,  and  settled  on  Henry's 
River,  but  still  not  satisfied  alter  a  few  years'  sojourn  he  re- 
moved from  there  to  Rutherford  county,  and  settled  on  the 
Maters  of  Broad  River,  where  he  remained  several  vears.  In 
the  meanwhile  Alexander,  the  subject  of  this  sketeh,  had 
arrived  to  manhood  and  became  subject  to  military  duty. 
In  the  years  1812  to  1814  the  war  between  England  and  the 
United  States  was  being  prosecuted,  and  Alexander  Aber- 
nathy being  then  22  years  of  age  was  subject  to  draft,  which 
caused  much  uneasiness  in  the  family  circle;  still  he  was 
not  drafted,  and  consequently  took  no  part  in  the  war. 

During  the  second  year  of  this  unnatural  struggle  be- 
tween the  two  countries  by  people  of  kindred  blood,  and 
speaking  the  same  language,  it  pleases  God  to  move  upon 
the  minds  of  the  people  by  the  gentle  operations  of  His  Holy 
Spirit,  to  take  into  consideration  the  great  wickedness  that 
abounded  in  the  country  (always  the  outcropping  of  war,)  a 
eall  was  made  for  a  more  faithful  and  energetic  exhibition  of 
the  Gospel  among  the  people.  Many  became  serious  and 
repentant  of  their  sinful  ways  of  living,  and  began  to  call  on 
the  name  of  the  Lord  for  succor  in  this  gloomy  and  severe 
time  of  trial.  There  was  no  Presbyterian  church  in  this 
locality  to  respond  to  the  call  of  the  people ;  the  old  man, 
32 


250  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Smith  Abernathy,  and  several  members  of  the  family  attach- 
ed themselves  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  about 
the  close  of  the  war  Alexander,  the  son,  fell  into  line  also. 
Preaching  became  plenteous  among  the  Methodist  people — a 
great  number  made  profession  of  religion,  and  what  is  usu- 
ally termed  a  precious  revival  was  the  consequence.  Alex- 
ander Abernathy  became  absorbed  in  the  perusal  and  study 
of  the  Bible,  and  as  he  read  he  became  more  and  more  dis- 
tressed about  his  future  state  of  existence.  The  more  preach- 
ing he  heard,  the  more  he  became  confuted  in  his  mind. 
"While  the  minister  would  tell  hirii  oue  way  of  escape,  God's 
word  and  the  dictates  of  conscience  would  tell  him  another. 
He  was  entertained  frequently  with  lectures  on  the  Free 
Agency  of  Man,  while  he  read  in  his  Bible,  "iSTo  man  can 
eonie  unto  me  except  my  Father  who  sent  me  draw  him." 
Feeling  that  he  had  lived  in  sin  and  took  pleasure  in  it,  and 
no  good  thing  being  discoverable  in  himself,  while  in  lieu  of 
that,  he  had  only  to  complain  bitterly  of  a  wicked,  unbeliev- 
ing heart,  prone  to  sin  continually  :  whvthen,  under  circum- 
stances  like  these,  should  he  attach  himself  to  a  church? 
lie  felt  that  he  was  entirely  unfit  for  such  a  position.  His 
spiritual  advisors,  however,  would  persuade  him  that  he 
should  join  the  church  as  a  means  of  grace,  while  he  enter- 
tained the  notion  that  unbelievers  were  not  fit  subjects  for 
church  membership  at  all.  On  this  subject  his  troubles  in- 
creased, and  although  he  had  many  comforters,  yet,  like  an- 
cient Job's,  many  of  them  knew  not  what  they  were  talking 
about — one  advising  one  thing  while  another  advised  some- 
thing else.  in  this  distracted  condition  of  mind  Mr.  Aber- 
nathy said  he  almost  considered  himself  out  of  the  reach  ot 
mercy  ;  so  many  under  similar  instruction  having  made  pro- 
fessions and  apparently  at  ease  about  their  souls'  -welfare, 
while  he  yet  felt  that  he  was  "in  the  gall  of  bitterness  and 
in  the  bonds  of  iniquity.''  His  case  must  be  beyond  the 
reach  of  mercy.  In  this  desperate  condition  he  remained  for 
some  time,  refusing  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  church, 
but  relying  solel\-  upon  the  teachings  of  the  Bible.  While 
in  this  despondent  condition  on  an  ever  memorable  day  he 
retired  from  all  company,  with  his  Bible  in  hand,  still  inter- 
ceding for  pardon,  but  nearly  in  despair  and  without  hope; 
from  some  unexpected  source,  however,  light  sprang  up  out 
of  darkness,  and  the  merits  of  Christ's  atonement  for  sinners 
was  made  plain  to  his  view  ;  he  was  enabled  to  see  that  lie 
had  paid  the  ransom  price  of  man's  redemption  in  full,  and 
that  man's  part  of  the  business  was  to  trust  in  Christ  alone, 
making  a  full  surrender  of  himself  and  saying,  "Here,  Lord, 
1  irive  mvself  awav,  it  is' all  that  I  can  do.''     .That  the  work 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  251 

of  salvation  was  His  alone;  that  there  is  no  merit  in  our 
works,  and  therefore  it  is  that  we  must  rely  entirely  on  the 
merits  of  Christ  for  solvation.  Taking  this  view  or  the  case 
he  was  made  to  feel  happy  indeed,  and  rejoiced  that  all  was 
now  apparently  so  well  with  him  ;  that  Christ  had  pardoned, 
freely  all  his  sins,  great  as  they  certainly  had  been.  J3ut  in 
this  lively  state  of  mind  and  rejoicing  lie  was  troubled  with 
the  idea  or  thought  of  the  insufficiency  of  his  baptism  in 
infancy  by  sprinkling.  He  felt  inclined  to  obey  Christ  in 
the  ordinance  of  baptism,;  his  brethren,  however,  attempted 
to  dissuade  him,  alleging  his  baptism  was  all  right,  and  there 
was  no  need  of  being  buried  under  the  water.  This  caused 
a  great  weight  to  fall  upon  his  mind,  and  his  condition  was 
somewhat  similar  to  that  of  man  in  his  fallen  state — subject 
to  eternal  death  without  a  change  from  the  power  of  sin  and 
wickedness.  Under  this  consideration  another  duty  began 
to  disturb  his  mind, — to  go  and  warn  people  to  flee  from  the 
wrath  to  come.  This  became  a  mighty  weight  indeed. 
What!  without  education,  or  an  opportunity  to  obtain  any 
mental  culture  or  training,  would  the  Lord  require  so  frail 
and  ignorant  an  individual  to  preach  the  Gospel  '(  To  use 
his  own  language,  these  impressions  continued  to  increase 
until  he  had  but  little  rest  day  or  night,  still  feeling  unwill- 
ing to  undertake  so  great  a  task.  He  thought  some  of  the 
brethren  might  be  able  to  tell  him  how  he  might  be  freed 
from  a  burden  so  great;  so  he  made  known  his  troubles  to 
some  of  them,  who  at  once  advised  him  to  go  forward  in  the 
diseharge  of  duty  in  warning  sinners,  in  a  public  way,  ot: 
their  great  danger.  At  first  he  was  only  permitted  to  exhort 
and  pray,  then  he  was  licensed  to  take  a  text  of  Scripture 
and  make  the  effort  to  preach.  Alter  having  had  this  lib- 
erty  for  a  year  or  more,  he  was  appointed  to  a  circuit,  but 
by  reason  of  the  differences  hinted  at  before,  he  declined  to 
accept  the  appointment  made  by  the  Conference.  He  was 
still  ill  at  ease,4n  regard  to  the  baptismal  question,  and  could 
not  be  reconciled  to  believe  that  "sprinkling"  could  be  valid 
baptism.  The  brethren,  he  said,  labored  hard  to  convince 
him,  but  he  coul<l  not  be  satisfied.  Besides,  there  were  two 
other  leading  doctrines  of  his  church  besetting  his  mind 
continually.  Alan's  ability  to  restore  himself  from  his  lost 
condition  by  his  own  free  will  or  agency,  was  a  doctrine  he 
could  not  hold.  And  the  final  perseverance  of  the  saints  in 
grace,  is  another  doctrine  repudiated  by  his  church  that  he 
lirrnly  believed  to  be  true  and  Scriptural.  Entertaining 
these  views,  what  was  he  to  do  ?  These  doctrines  were  fre- 
quently discussed  and  commented  on,  and  it  behooves  every 
honest  man  "to  show   his  hand."     He,    however,  continued 


252  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

to  preach  in  the  midst  of  these  differences  for  some  time, 
his  ministering  brethren  admonishing  him  in  the  meantime 
that  if  he  did  not  believe  in  free  agency,  to  keep  that  to  him- 
self; and  if  he  believed  in  the  final  perseverance  of  the  saints, 
to  keep  that  also  to  himself,  for  they  considered  that  a  dan- 
gerous doctrine,  and  certainly  contrary  to  the  Book  of  Dis- 
cipline. So  in  the  midst  of  his  troubles  in  the  24th  year  of 
his  age  he  was  united  in  matrimony  with  Miss  Elizabeth 
Wilkie,  a  daughter  of  Elder  William  Wilkie,  of  Rutherford 
county,  N.  C,  and  he  continued  no  longer  than  about  one 
year  afterwards  in  the  Methodist  connection. 

His  father  having  moved  to  the  State  of  Tennessee,  Al- 
exander and  wife  Elizabeth  both  made  application  for  letters 
of  dismission  from  the  church  to  which  they  belonged,  and 
were  consequently  dismissed  from  the  Methodist  connection 
in  full  fellowship,  and  in  a  short  time  thereafter  moved  to 
the  southeast  corner  of  Burke  countv  and  settled  on  Henrv's 
River,  where  he  lived  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

Shortly  after  he  settled  at  this  latter  place  the  renowned 
Baptist  preacher  of  Virginia,  Elder  Hosea  Holcombe,  filled 
a  list  of  appointments  at  a  place  known  as  the  Mountain 
meeting-house,  in  Lincoln  county,  four  miles  from  his  new 
home,  He  visited  Elder  Holcombe  and  attended  his  meet- 
ings at  the  Mountain,  became  fully  satisfied  in  reference  to 
the  points  heretofore  mentioned,  presented  himself  as  a  can- 
didate for  baptism  and  membership,  and  was  received  into 
the  fellowship  of  Union  church,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
Hosea  Holcombe,  in  Henry's  River.  Thus  at  last  he  found 
a  more  congenial  home,  and  having  preached  over  two  years 
in  the  Methodist  connection,  and  many  of  the  Baptist  breth- 
ren having  heard  him  preach,  and  knowing  of  his  good 
standing  in  society  at  once  had  him  licensed  to  preach  the 
'Gospel  on  the  26th  of  April,  1817,  at  Union  church.  He 
continued  at  that  church  and  sarrouuding  neighborhood  in 
the  exhibition  of  the  Gospel  until  the  said  church  presented 
him  for  ordination  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry,  and  lie 
was  ordained  by  Elders  Hosea  Holcombe  and  Drury  Dob- 
bins, acting  as  a  Presbytery. 

Shortly  after  this  Elder  Holcombe  moved  away,  and 
Elder  Abernathy  was  chosen  pastor  of  the  Union  church, 
and  he  continued  in  the  pastorate  until  a  few  years  previous 
to  his  death,  which  took  place  August  31st,  1866.  He 
preached  in  Lincoln,  Rutherford,  Caldwell  and  Burke,  be- 
sides other  counties,  and  to  great  numbers  of  churches.  The 
text  for  his  last  sermon  will  be  found  in  Hebrews,  iv.  9  : 
'•There  remaineth  therefore  a   rest  to  the   people  of  God," 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  253 

which   was   preached  exactly  three  weeks  previous  to  his 
death. 

The  15th  verse  of  the  first  chapter  of  1st  Timothy  was 
selected  by  himself  as  the  text  of  his  funeral  sermon  :  "This 
is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ 
-Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners,  of  whom  I  am 
chief."  The  sermon  was  preached  by  Elder  J.  C.  Grayson, 
an  old  veteran  of  the  cross,  and  fellow-helper  of  the  Truth. 

Elder  Alexander  Abernathy  had  attained  to  the  age  of 
76  years  when  he  died  and  went  to  his  reward.  He  had 
passed  beyond  the  scriptural  allotment  of  thrce-score-and- 
ten,  and  died  with  the  Gospel  harness  girt  about  him  bright- 
ened by  constant  use.  He  leaves  behind  him  a  son  every 
way  worthy  of -such  a  sire,  Elder  William  Abernathy,  who 
was  born  in  Burke  county,  ~N.  C,  on  the  25th  December, 
1821.  Married  Miss  Irene,  voungest  daughter  of  Elder 
Thomas  Carleton,  July  27th,  1853.  He  joined  the  church 
at  St.  John's,  Sept.,  1866  ;  was  licensed  to  preach  Dec.  1st, 
1866  ;  ordained  August  10th,  1867.     May  he  rival  his  father! 

In  1819  Elder  Abernathy  appeared  as  a  delegate  from 
Union  church  to  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association 
■held  that  year  at  Head  of'fyger  River  church.  The  church  does 
not  appear,  from  the  Minutes,  to  have  been  represented 
again  until  the  session  of  1825,  when  Bro.  Abernathy  again 
attended  the  session  of  that  year  at  Buffalo  church  as  a 
delegate.  The  church  after  that  session  was  not  repre- 
sented again  until  after  the  organization  of  the  Catawba 
River  Association  in  1828,  when  the  Union  church  became 
a  constituent  member  of  that  body,  and  consequently  Al- 
exander Abernathy  was  no  longer  a  Broad  River  minister. 
He,  however,  continued  in  his  new  relationship  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death.  We  notice  in  the  .Catawba  Minutes 
that  at  the  sessions  ot  1858— '59  he  presided' as  the  Mode- 
rator of  the  body.  We  recollect  hearing  "Old  Aleek,"  as 
be  was  familiarly  called,  at  a  session  of  the  Broad  River 
Association  in  1829  preach  an  able  sermon  to  a  large  con- 
course of  people,  who  seemed  to  receive  the  exhibition  of 
the  Word  by  him  with  rapt  attention.  His  style  of  preach- 
ing was  very  different  from  that  of  many  of  the  olden  time 
"sing-song"  preachers.  He  had  a  good  flow  of  words,  very 
appropriate  and  suitable  to  express  the  noble  thoughts  that 
appeared  almost  intuitively  to  originate  in  his  mind  without 
previous  reflection  or  study,  and  his  delivery  as  to  elocution- 
ary rules  was  preferable  to  anything  taught  in  trie  schools. 
It  was  simply  natural  and  free  from  affectation  of  any  kind, 
and  peculiar  to  himself  alone.     Had   Alexander  Abernathy 


25i  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

been  well  educated  in  early  life,  and  had  he  the  patronage 
of  the  lovers  of  the  christian  cause  in  which  he  was  en- 
gaged through  a  long  series  of  years,  instead  of  dragging 
along  in  neglect  and  extreme  poverty, and  his  ability  to  do 
good  in  the  cause  of  the  Master  thereby  so  crippled  in  the 
struggle  of  life  in  maintaining  himself  and  family  by  the 
sweat  of  his  face,  there  is  no  one  now  living  able  to  tell 
what  would  have  been  the  results  ot  his  labors  in  the  time 
he  lived. 

Personal  Appearance : — Alexander  Abernathy  was  about 
live  feet  ten  inches  in  height,  of  round  and  heavy  build, 
though  not  corpulent ;  large  chest,  complexion  brown,  eyes 
of  hazel  color,  features  tine  and  handsome,  gestures  attract- 
ive, and  his  general  make  up  was  that  of  a  good  looking 
Dutchman. 


Allen,  Deacon  Woodward  was  born  November  29th, 
1820,  near  Woodruff,  in  Spartanburg  county,  S.  0.  Here 
he  resided  until  his  marriage  with  Miss  Harriet,  daughter  of 
John  Wells,  Esq.,  of  said  county,  on  December  24th,  1840, 
immediately  after  which  time  he  moved  to  the  present 
homestead.  While  on  a  visit  to  his  parents  in  Oct.,  1849, 
he  professed  conversion  in  a  meeting  then  in  progress  at 
Bethel  church,  and  was  baptized  into  its  membership.  By 
letter  from  this  church,  a  few  months  after  his  conversion, 
he  joined  the  Cedar  Springs  Baptist  church,  where  he  re- 
mained an  honored  and  useful  member  until  by  faith  he  was 
translated  to  the  church  triumphant,  where  there  is  no  pain, 
no  sin,  no  sorrow. 

Bro.  Allen  served  Cedar  Springs  church  with  entire 
satisfaction  to  all,  as  clerk  and  treasurer,  for  over  twenty 
years,  and  was  only  permitted  to  resign  then  by  reason  of 
continued  ill  health,  His  church  loves  to  honor  him  for  his 
zeal  and  liberality,  as  was  manifest  by  his  appointment  to 
represent  them  in  the  Broad  River  Association  for  the  last 
eighteen  years  in  succession,  as  well  as  in  manv  other  ways. 
He  loved  his  Association,  and  it  will  greatly  miss  him,  as 
will  also  his  church.  May  his  mantle  fall  upon  his  sons  that 
are  in  his  church,  and  for  his  Redeemer's  kingdom  he, 
though  dead,  may  still  live  and  labor. 

Bro.  Allen  was  a  great  sufferer  in  his  last  days.  God 
was  trying  his  faith,  and  it  failed  not.  His  christian  patience 
had  its  perfect  work,  and  his  faith  in  God  was  strong  unto 
the  end.  He  lived  and  died  in  the  triumphs  of  the  christian 
faith. 

As  a  citizen,  Deacon  Allen  was  kind,  liberal  in  mind 
and  means,  industrious  and  progressive  ;  as  a   christian  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  255 

was  benevolent,  loyal  to  his  Master,  and  faithful  in  the  per- 
formance of  every  known  duty;  as  a  father  and  husband  he 
was  kind,  affectionate  and  devoted.  We  shall  all  miss  him, 
but  our  loss  is  his  eternal  gain. 

He  died  April  3d,  1880,  at  his  residence  near  Cedar 
Springs,  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C,  in  the  60th  }Tear  of  his 
age.     (See  Minutes  Broad  River  Association,  session  of  1880.) 


Barnett,  Elder  Joroyal  was  a  member  of  Cedar  Springs 
church,  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C,  and  was  one  of  the  pio- 
neer ministers  of  the  Broad  Iiiver  Association,  appearing 
first  in  the  session  of  1802,  held  at  Buck  Creek  church,  and 
for  several  years  afterwards  he  represented  the  same  church. 
In  1811  he  was  chosen  Moderator  of  the  body,  which  is  evi- 
dence ot  his  high  and  respectable  standing  in  the  Associa- 
tion at  that  day  and  time. 

We  have  not  been  able,  from  any  one  now  living,  to 
ascertain  much  of  his  history,  not  even  the  date  of  his  advent 
into  the  world,  or  the  time  of  his  demise,  which  has  doubt- 
less been  many  years  since.  He  was  probably  a  good  preacher 
and  energetic  pastor  during  the  time  ot  his  ministerial  ca- 
reer. We  learn  that  he  was  the  paternal  uncle  of  the  much 
lamented  Elder  Micajah  Cicero  Barnett,  whose  praise  was 
(but  a  little  while  ago)  in  all  the  churches  oithe  Broad  River 
and  King's  Mountain  Associations — What  a  pity  it  is  that 
our  Baptist  people  are  so  remiss  and  negligent  in  preserv- 
ing and  handing  down  to  succeeding  orenerations  the  record- 
ed  o-ood  deeds  or  acts  of  their  ancestors  !  Doubtless  a  volume 
could  have  been  profitably  tilled  with  the  acts  and  wholesome 
sayings  of  this  good  man  of  God,  which  can  never  see  the 
light,  to  be  properly  appreciated  or  copied  by  the  living. 

We  can  only  add,  let  the  veteran  pioneer  still  be  had  in 
remembrance,  as  one  who  faithfully  bore  the  banner  of  the 
cross  of  Christ  in  the  early  days  of  the  Broad  River  Asso- 
ciation. 


Baknett,  Elder  Micajah  Cicero,  nephew  of  Elder  Jo- 
royal  Barnett,  was  born  May  20th,  1818,  near  CedarSprings, 
♦Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  Was  licensed  to  preach  the  Gos- 
pel by  the  Cedar  Springs  church.  November  27tb,  1841,  and 
ordained  March  25th,  1843.  The  presbytery  consisted  of 
Elders  John  G.  Landium,  Elias  Rogers  and  Felix  W.  Little- 
John.  He  intermarried  with  Miss  Nazareth  Lipscomb, 
daughter  of  Edward  Liscomb,  Esq.,  a  worthy  deacon  of 
Goucher  Creek  church. 

His  early  education  was  limited,  but,  by  earnest  appli- 
cation and  constant  devotion  to  his  studies,  he  was  recognized 


256  BIOGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

as  one  of  the  ablest  self-educated  men  of  his  day.  This,, 
combined'with  his  fine  personal  appearance  and  social  quali- 
ties, made  him  attractive  as  a  preacher  and  agreeable  as  a 
companion.  His  counsel  was  often  sought  for  by  his  breth- 
ren, and  in  his  intercourse  with  men  his  aim  was  to  instruct 
and  benefit.  With  the  exception  of  two  years  he  lived  and 
labored  within  the  bounds  of  the  Broad  River  Association r 
to  which  he  was  greatly  attached  ;  for  many  years  he  was  its 
clerk  and  for  several  its  moderator,  and  was  universally 
loved  by  the  whole  Association.  Although  this  body  may 
deeply  feel  the  loss  of  this  great  and  good  man,  his  churches 
and  the  community  in  which  he  lived  have  sustained  a  loss 
not  easily  repaired.  He  supplied  at  different  times  during 
his  ministry,  Cedar  Springs — his  mother  church — Philadel- 
phia, Sulphur  Springs,  Gilead,  Limestone,  Pacolet,  Shelby, 
and  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  a  member  and  the  pas- 
tor of  El  Bethel  church,  where  he  had  preached  with  accept- 
ance and  much  success  for  three  years.  He  died  on  the  20th 
September,  1872,  in  the  town  of  Shelby,  Cleveland  county, 
N.  C,  in  the  55th  year  of  his  age,  and  under  the  watch  care 
of  his  numerous  friends  and.  sympathizing  brethren,  on  the 
night  previous  to  the  assembling  of  the  21st  annual  session 
of  the  King's  Mountain  Association,  which  body  on  hearing 
of  his  demise,  passed  the  following  tribute  of  respect  for 
one  whom  they  dearly  loved  : 

Whereas,  We  have  heard  with  unfeigned  sorrow  of  the  death 
of  Elder  M,  ('  Burnett  who  departed  this  life  in  Shelby,  within  the 
bounds  of  our  Association,  on  (he  night  of  the  20th  inst.,  cut  down 
in  the  prime  of  his  manhood  and  in  the  midst  of  his  usefulness,  at 
a  time  too,  when,  to  his  family  and  to  his  churches,  there  seemed  to 
be  so  much  need  of  him  ;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Elder  Barnett  the  churches  have 
lost  a  faithful  pastor  and  able  preacher,  the  State  an  upright  citizen, 
the  cause  of  religion — to  set  forth  not  only  in  his  teachings  but  also 
in'his  li  e,  a  successful  advocate — his  family  a  wise  and  affectionate 
husband  and  father. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  our  sympathies  to  the  bereaved  famil  v 
in  their  affliction,  and  pray  that  it  may  be  sanctified  by  Him  who 
hath  smitten  them,  to  their  well  being  in  this  life  and  to  their  ever- 
lasting joy  in  the  world  to  come. 

His  funeral  discourse  was  delivered  by  Elder  John  G. 
Landrum,  to  a  large  and  sympathizing  concourse  of  people 
over  his  grave  at  El  Bethel  church,  where  he  was  buried 
with  Masonic  honors.  And  now  El  Bethel  church  has  taken 
steps  to  erect  a  suitable  monument  to  his  memory.  May 
success  crown  the  effort,  for  he  richly  deserved  such  a  me- 
mento. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  257 

We  first  met  Elder  M.  C.  Burnett  at  El  Bethel  church 
in  1842.  At  that  session  of  the  Association  he  made  his 
first  appearance  as  a  delegate,  and  was  then  an  ordained 
minister.  He  was  frequently  dubbed  the  "Biblical  Oracle,'' 
so  thorough   was  his   knowledge  of  the  Scriptures. 

In  his  pulpit  performances  he  spoke  very  rapidly — 
without  giving  himself  much  time,  it  would  seem,  to  evolve 
an  idea,  yet  iiis  discourses  were  systematic,  and  the  subject 
matter  treated  always  had  ample  justice  done  it.  His 
method  or  manner  of  speaking  induced  some  of  his  critical 
hearers  to  allege  that  he  memorized  his  sermons,  and  depend- 
ed more  upon  his  memory  than  the  strength  and  quickness 
of  his  intellect.  His  sermonizing  became  a  theme  of  discus- 
sion  and  wonder.  That  he  had  a  superior  memory  we  shall 
not  for  a  moment  urge  a  doubt,  but  his  intellect  was  also  of 
the  highest  order  and  ever  ready  to  serve  him.  He  once 
stopped  with  us  to  rest  for  a  night,  and  being  doubtless  more 
hungry  for  mental  food  than  for  that  which  perisheth,  after 
a,  few  common  place  and  agreeable  words  he  directed  his 
way  to  our  little  library"  and'  very  opportunely  laid  "his  hand 
on  the  poems  of  John  Milton,  and  commenced  reading  his 
"Paradise  Lost  and  Regained."'  The  more  he  read  the  more 
he  became  interested,  until  finally  his  mind  became  deeply 
absorbed  in  the  subject  matter  of  the  book.  He  however 
found  a  stopping  place  and  laid  aside,  and  after  descanting 
awhile  upon  the  topics  he  had  just  read  the  matter  was  drop- 
ped, and  other  subjects  taken  up  and  discussed  more  peculiar 
to  the  ordinary  business  transactions  of  life.  His  eodo-quiai 
powers  being  of  the  first  order — social  anf.1  agreeable — he 
ywas  of  course  entertaining.  On  the  next  day  (Sunday)  we 
went  to  church,  and  he  preached  from  Heb.  i.  1,  2.  And 
strange  to  say,  in  the  elucidation  of  the  subject  embraced  in 
the  text  in  reference  to  the  creation  of  man,  and  of  making 
the  worlds  in  the  beginning,  he  could  quote  verbatim  et  lib- 
eratim  the  poems  of  Milton  which  he  had  read  the  previous 
evening.  It  was  only  necessary  for  him  to  read  or  hear,  to 
have  made  an  indelible  impression  on  his  very  plastic  and 
retentive  mind. 

It  was  however  not  memory  alone  (much  as  it  contribu- 
ted) that  made  Elder  Burnett  a  polished  shaft  in  the  quiver 
of  the  Lord.  Nor  was  it  education  or  scholastic  training,  tor 
of  that  he  had  but  very  little.  It  was  the  large  brain  of  the 
man — the  cri^antic  intellectual  reasoning  powers  that  he 
possessed  which,  combined  with  the  special  blessings  of  rich 
grace  bestowed  on  him  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  enabled  him 
to  grapple  with  the  most  abstruse  and  mysterious  questions 
and  arrive  almost  intuitively  at  sound  and  orthodox  conclu- 
33 


258  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

sions.  His  mental  powers  acted  so  quickly  that  little  time 
for  reflection  was  necessary.  He  was  certainly  a  man  of  ex- 
traordinary gifts,  and  had  language  completely  under  his 
control,  and  he  generally  clothed  his  ideas  in  the  best  English 
dress.  He  was  often  chosen  to  preach  the  introductory  ser- 
mons at  the  different  sessions  oi  the  Association,  and  to 
write  the  circular  letters  to  the  churches  in  union.  He  was 
also  appointed  one  of  a  committee  to  prepare  a  Historical 
Sketch  of  the  Broad  River  Association,  and  is  substantially 
the  author  of  the  pamphlet  purporting  to  be  such  a  history, 
published  in  187]. 

We  have  thought  proper  to  reproduce  and  embody  in 
this  work  his  circular  letter,  on  the  Nature  of  a  call  to  the  Min- 
istry, and  the  Duty  of  Churches  to  their  Gifted  Brethren,  written 
in  1851.  It  will  doubtless  be  read  with  much  interest  by  all 
those  who  have  been  lavorecl  with  his  acquaintance : 

TO   THE   CHURCHES   IN  UNION. 

Dear  Brethren  : — According  to  the  arrangement  of  our  last  As- 
sociation, we  address  you  this  year  on  the  Nature  of  a  call  to  the 
Ministry,  and  the  Duty  of  the  Churches  to  their  Gifted  Brethren. 

The  scheme  of  Redemption  is  an  object  to  which  all  other  objects 
and  events-in  our  world  are  subordinate  ;  hence  the  language  of  Dr. 
Porter  :  "The  preaching  of  the  Gospel  is  a  great  work.  In  the  mag- 
nitude of  its  object  it  surpasses,  beyond  all  comparison,  every  other 
object  and  employment  in  which  man  can  engage."  There  is  an 
awful  dignity  in  the  character  of  this  great  work,  as  it  is  the  princi- 
pal means  which  the  Divine  Being  has  instituted  to  make  known 
His  scheme  of  mercy  to  a  lost  world.  "For  when  the  world  by  wis- 
dom knew  not  God  it  pleased  God,  by  the  foolishness  of  preaching, 
to  save  them  that  believe."  "Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things?" 
Preaching  being  then  the  appointment  of  God,  the  authority  to 
preach  is  primarily  derived  from  Him— the  Great  Lord  having  re- 
served to  Himself  the  high  prerogative  of  choosing  His  own  spirit- 
ual teachers  from  the  first  period  of  the  world's  history.  The  preach- 
ing of  Christ  as  the  subject  and  object  of  the  ministry  has  always 
been  the  grand  criterion  of  a  faithful  preacher.  All  who  were  in- 
strumental in  illuminating  mankind  in  any  age  of  the  world,  derived 
their  light  "from  the  light  of  the  world."  In  like  manner,  all  true 
ministers  have  received  the  authority  to  exercise  their  ministry  from 
Him. 

Believing  in  Him  for  their  own  salvation  they  receive  from  Him 

all  those  peculiar  dispositions  and   endowments  which^t  them  for 

their  work.     The  Priests  and  Scribes,  overlooking  the  divine  power 

of  our  Lord's  miracles,  inquired  of  Him  by  what  authority  He  acted 

— intimating  that  He  ought  to  have  taken   out  commission  from 

t  hem,  as  the  source  of  ecclesiastical  authority.  But  He  plainly  showed 

them  that  they  had  received  no  commission  from  Him,  but  were 
leaders  of  the  blind,  being  blind  themselves.  Of  such  we  might  say 
were  all  those  who,  through  love  of  ease,  riches  or  reputation,  intrude 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  259 

themselves  into  the  ministerial  office  without  possessing  those  qual- 
ifications, which  are  so  many  credentials  from  Christ,  that  He  has 
sent  them.  But  as  God  does  not  decide  the  claims  of  men  to  the 
ministerial  office  by  a  miracle,  as  He  did  in  the  case  of  Aaron,  nor 
by  limiting  it  to  a  particular  family,  as  He  did  in  the  Jewish  priest- 
hood ;  so  neither  does  He  prepare  nor  set  apart  meu  to  the  ministry 
by  any  providence  visible  to  us,  but  choosing  men  from  the  various 
ranks  and  conditions  of  life,  so  as  to  make  any  settled  method  with 
Him  unknown  to  us. 

The  ordinary  method  however  with  the  Divine  Being  in  the 
Jewish  Dispensation,  in  selecting  His  public  teachers  of  religion, 
was  to  take  those  who  had  been  educated  in  the  schools'of  the  Proph- 
ets (a  proceeding  corresponding  with  (.he  splendor  of  that  dispensa- 
tion,) as  seems  signified  by  the  false  Prophets  endeavoring  to  escape 
the  retribution  due  to  their  fraud,  by  asserting  they  had  not  enjoyed 
a  prophetic  education.  Nevertheless,  designation  of  men  to  the 
public  ministry  under  God,  sometime!?  fell  on  those  engaged  in  the 
common  avocations  of  domestic  life  who  had  never  enjoyed  such 
privileges.  Such  was  the  call  of  Amos.  "I  was  no  prophet,"  says 
he,  "nor  was  I  a  prophet's  son  ;  but  I  was  a  husbandman,  and  a 
gatherer  of  sycamore  fruits,  and  the  Lord  took  me  and  said  unto  me, 
"Go,  prophesy  to  my  people,  Israel.  "  The  mantle  of  Elijah  fell  on 
Elisha  when  he  was  plowing  with  twelve  yoke  of  oxen  before  him. 

Both  Moses  and  John  the  Baptist  were  from  their  infancy  set 
apart  and  reared  up  in  the  providence  of  God  as  public  teachers  in 
religion.  Moses  received  an  education  suited  to  his  rank  as  the 
adopted  son  of  Pharaoh's  daughter,  but  John  was  in  the' wilderness 
from  his  childhood  until  the  day  of  his  showing  unto  Israel.  Noth- 
ing therefore  can  be  determined  from  the  circle  in  which  men  are 
brought  up,  or  the  advantages  they  have  enjoyed  as  to  their  claims 
to  the  ministerial  call.  But  the  examples  we  have  given  of  men 
being  called  of  God  to  the  ministry,  has  reference  to  former  dispen- 
sations and  the  introduction  of  Christianity,  and  to  these  might  be 
added  those  of  the  Apostles  ;  but  there  were  other  ministers  of  sub- 
ordinate rank  in  the  first  days  of  the  Christian  Church  who  were  • 
called,  in  the  New  Testament,  Evangelists — such  as  Timothy,  Titus, 
Archippus,  and  others.  To  determine  the  setting  apart  of  this  order 
of  the  ministry,  is  to  determine  the  call  of  the  ministry  in  our  days. 
Unless  it  can  be  shown  that  God's  method  of  converting  men  by  the 
living  ministry  as  a  chosen  instrument,  is  changed  by  a  special  law 
expressed  or  implied,  it  follows  that  what  was  his  mode  of  proceed- 
ing at  that  time,  is  now,  and  always  will  be.  To  call  to  the  minis- 
try, is  to  invite,  to  appoint  and  furnish  a  person  into  and  with 
such  particular  endowments  by  the  Word,  providences  and  motives 

of  the  Holy  Ghost  as  make  him  suitable  for  the  worK.  Archippus  is 
said  to  have  received  his  ministry  in  the  Lord,  and  Timothy  to  have 
received  all  his  best  qualifications  as  a  gift  according  to  a  previous 
prophecy — not  by,  but  with  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  Pres- 
bytery ;  I.  e.,  at  the  time  the  hands  of  the  Presbytery  were  laid  on 
him, — being  trained  up  from  a  child  in  the  knowledge  of  the  Scrip- 


200  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

tares.  Christ,  having  been  exalted  to  Heaven,  gave  to  the  church, 
Apostles,  Prophets,  Pastors  and  Teachers  as  the  invaluable  gifts  He 
had  received  for  men.  An  Apostle  must  be  possessed  of  an  infalli- 
bility of  doctrine,  and  a  power  of  speech  with  tongues  never  learned, 
and  to  work  miracles ;  but  the  working  of  miracles  and  the  speaking 
of  different  languages,  without  premeditation,  have  ceased.  The 
ministry  belonging  to  the  church  now,  is  what  we  call  Pastors  and 
Evangelists,  and  from  these  we  have  no  right  to  expect  an  infalli- 
bility of  doctrine,  nor  a  perfect  understanding  of  all  that  is  revealed 
in  the  Bible.  This  would  suppose  a  greater  degree  of  perfection  of 
the  preachers  of  our  days  than  was  enjoyed  by  the  ministers  of. other 
days.  If  Timothy,  Titus,  and  the  other.  Evangelists  had  understood 
the  revealed  will  of  God,  and  by  virtue  of  their  office  would  have 
been  sure  to  have  carried  H  out  for  the  perfection  of  saints,  all  the 
advice  and  admonition  of  the  Apostles  to  them  would  have  been  un- 
necessary. '"Give  thyself  to  reading,''  was  the  advice  of  Paul  to  Tim- 
othy :  and  Aquilla  and  Priscilla  taught  Apollos  the  way  of  the  Lord 
more  perfectly. 

We  can  not  say  how  far  human  preparation  in  the  Apostles  them- 
selves was  necessary  to  their  teaching  the  will  of  the  Lord.  Paul 
desired  Timothy  to  bring  the  books  with  him  to  Troas  ;  Daniel,  the 
Prophet  of  the  Lord,  learned,  by  the  study  of  books,  what  would  be 
the  length  of  Judah's  captivity  in  Babylon  ;  hence  the  importance 
of  all  ministers  studying  to  show  themselves  approved  unto  God. 
No  man  who  has  any  just  conception  of  the  transcendant  importance 
of  the  great  work  of  preaching,  will  think  himself  already  so  per- 
fect as  to  need  no  improvement.  There  is  no  way,  however,  of 
determining  a  man's  call  to  the  ministry  but  by  his  qualification. 
The  church  being  judge  of  this  brings  us  to  the  second  part  of  our 
subject— the  Duty  of  the  Churches  to  their  Gifted  Brethren. 

Piety,  though  essential,  is  not  the  only  qualification  necessary 
to  the  character  of  a  preacher.  P&tyand  human  knowledge  togeth- 
er are  not  all  that  is  necessary.  There  must  be  superadded  to  these 
a  desire  for  the  work  and  an  aptitude  to  teach.  Not  only  the. possess- 
ion of  knowledge,  but  also  the  ability  to  communicate  it  to  others  ; 
hence  the  importance  of  aichurch  keeping  within  her  bounds  and 
under  her  own  immediate  inspection  those  of  her  members  just  be- 
ginning to  exercise  a  public  gift,  and  we  think  it  is  the  duty  of  the 
church  thus  to  act  until  the  gift  is  ascertained  to  be  profitable.  Apt- 
itude to  teach  is  the  only  qualification  upon  which  the  church  can 
decide,  the  desire  of  the  work  being  left  for  the  man  himself  to  de- 
termine upon.  When  the  gift  is  judged  profitable,  then  it  ought  to 
be  recommended  by  a  license,  but  in  all  cases  let  a  church  be  willing 
to  receive  the  gift  in  the  character  it  recommends  it  toothers.  There 
may  be  cases,  however,  that  would  justify  a  church  in  ordaining  a 
man,  when  prudence  would  suggest  the  pastor  should  be  one  of  age 
and  experience.  The  Apostle  Paul  attached  some  importance  to  his 
age  as  a  man,  though  an  Apostle  from  the  beginning  of  his  ministry, 
"Being  such  an  one  as  Paul,  the  aged,  I  beseech,  &c,  &c.     The  par- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  261 

Wcular  locality  or  disciplinary  condition  of  a  church  might  be  a  just- 
ification to  them  in  ordaining  a  man  before  he  was  ripe  for  their 
pastorship,  Such  cases  however  must  necessarily  be  very  rare.  In 
all  cases  of  ordination  respect  should  be  had  to  a  probable  improve- 
ment, and  it  is  the  remark  of  a  Divine,  familiar  to  us  all,  that  "the 
fidelity,  patience  and  perseverance  of  some  men  in  the  ministry  has 
enabled  them  so  to  read  men  and  things  as  to  shame  and  put  to  flight 
half  the  readers  of  books  ;"  that  "a  further  and  fuller  development 
•of  a  minister's  own  powers,  and  the  constant  increase  of  his  knowl- 
edge and  all  his  best  qualifications  which  experience  teaches,  he  can 
only  acquire  hi  his  work,"  But  there  is  another  duty  resting  on  a 
■church  which,  though  painful,  is  nevertheless  important — that 
is  restraining  or  silencing  those  whose  gifts,  afier  sufficient 
trial,  may  be  thought  unprofitable.  One  of  the  seven  churches  of 
Asia  was  commended  by  the  Redeemer,  for  having  tried  them  that 
said  they  were  Apostles  and  were  not.  Fuller  says,  when  a  gift  is 
received  by  a  church,  it  is  an  evidence  to  the  man  that  he  possesses 
qualifications  ;  but  if  the  gift  be  tolerated,  and  the  church  at  the  same 
time  thinks  the  man  possesses  no  qualification,  he  is  deceived.  Ev- 
ery charitable  allowance  should  be  made,  however,  both  in  respect 
to  time  and  circumstance,  before  a  church  passes  upon  a  gift  to  con- 
demn it. 

Now,   as  it  respects  the  duty  of  churches  to  their  pastors  and 

regular  supplies,  it  is  unnecessary  to  say  much,  for  they  have  already 
been  taught, that  they  ought  to  serve  one  another  in  love.  There  is 
a  reciprocal  duty  existing  between  the  church  and  him  that  minis- 
ters to  them.  And,  as  the  end  of  the  Gospel  ministry  is  the  spiritual 
advantage  of  the  church,  and  as  it  is  the  duty— and  even  obligation 
— of  the  minister  to  preach  the  Word  in  season  and  out  of  season, 
to  exhort  with  all  long-suffering  as  best  suits  their  interests  ;  so  there 
is  a  duty  and  obligation  devolving  on  the  church  toward  him  who 
ministers  to  them  in  holy  things.  And,  as  no  minister  can  covet  a 
haughty  independence  of  the  church  without  derogating  his  minis- 
terial character,  so  a  church  can  not  let  him  sink  into  abject  depend- 
ence, without  being  unfaithful  to  the  trust  committed  to  them. 

The  duty  of  a  church  to  her  pastor  besides  being  fellow-helpers 
to  him  by  prayer,  and  by  that  department  which  will  enable  him  to 
speak  strongly  of  the  effects  of  true  religion  on  the  conduct,  is  to 
administer  to  his  temporal  wants.  The  Apostle  insists  that  those 
who  preached  the  Gospel  had  an  equitable  claim  to  a  maintenance 
on  the  principles  of  natural  justice,  and  urged  it  not  only  from  the 
precepts  of  Moses'  law,  but  also  from  the  common  usage  among 
men.  Though  he  did  not  require  them  to  raise  an  income  for  him, 
yet,  in  this  self-denying,  disinterested  conduct,  his  ground  of  glory- 
ing he  declares  was  not  before  God,  but  before  them.  For  the  soldier 
when  fighting  for  his  country,  being  thus  prevented  from  attending 

to  his  private  concerns,  had  his  charges  paid  by  the  State.  A  person 
employed  in  planting  a  vineyard  was  allowed  a  maintenance  from 
its  products.  Thus,  ministers  who  were  fighting  the  good  fight  of 
faith,  and  laboring  in  the  Lord's  vineyard,  had  a  right  to  expect  a 


262  BIOGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

maintenance  by  his  services.  And  further  (the  Apostle  reasons,) 
God  would  not  make  a  special  law  for  the  support  of  laboring  oxen? 
and  then  allow  that  any  of  the  human  species  should  receive  the 
services  of  these  brethren  without  a  remuneration. 

Is  it  not  said,  however,  "who  goeth  a  warfare  and  is  not  rich  ? 
who  planteth  a  vineyard  and  heaps  not  up  gold  from  the  fruits  of  it  ? 
who  feedeth  a  flock  and  makes  not  merchandise  of  the  sheep?" — 
teaching  us  that  the  Spiritual  pastors  should  be  content  with  what 
is  necessary — not  what  is  superfluous.  Then,  as  a  minister,  should 
not  feel  it  a  hardship  to  be  dependent,  nor  a  dishonor  to  be  support- 
ed by  his  brethren — so  let  the  church  be  assiduous  to  make  him 
happy  in  his  mind,  and  easy  in  his  circumstances,  by  administering 
to  his  spiritual  comfort  and  temporal  necessities.  It  is  the  glory  of 
dissenting  churches,  says  one,  if  they  make  voluntary  sacrifices  for 

the  maintaining  true  religion  among  them. 

Now  the  God  of  peace,   that  brought  again  from  the  dead  our 

Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  Great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  through  the 

blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant,  make   you  perfect  in  every  good 

work,  to  do  His  will — working  in  you  that  which  is  well  pleasing  in 
His  sight,  through  Jesus  Christ.  Micajah  C.  Barnett. 

October  17th,  1851. 


Berry,  Elder  Larkin  MerteIs  a  native  of  Buncombe 
county,  N.  C.  Come  to  the  King's  Mountain  Association 
as  a  delegate  from  the  newly  constituted  church  at  Lincoln- 
ton,  1ST.  C,  in  1859;  was  at  that  time  an  energetic  agent  for 
Dr.  Sumner's  Board,  at  Marion,  Alabama.  He  continued 
to  represent  the  Lincoluton  church  until  about  1867,  when 
he  moved  away.  During  elder  Berry's  stay  with  the  King's 
Mountain  body,  he  became  popular  and  useful  as  a  preach- 
er, and  was  frequently  put  forward  to  defend  the  peculiar 
tenets  of  the  Baptists.  He  was  fond  of  polemics ;  and  was 
a  fearless  and  ~~  able  debater.  He  was  more  than  once 
honored  with  the  appointment  of  moderator  of  the  body, 
and  presided  with  efficiency  and  dignity.  At  the  boisterous 
session  in  1860,  at  High  Shoals  church,  when  the  division  of 
the  bod\7  took  place  by  reason  of  the  adoption  of  a  resolution 
the  previous  year  on  the  subject  of  Temperance,  he  was 
then  acting  moderator,  and  displayed  a  great  deal  of  par- 
liamentary tact  in  his  rulings,  and  proved  equal  to  the 
emergency.  He  was  an  acceptable  preacher,  having  a  clear 
shrill  feminine  voice,  and  very  good  articulation.  He  had 
an  excellent  Avife  and  a  family  of  several  children,  and 
is  probably  if  now  living  (1882.)  about  60  years  of  age.  He 
removed  (it  is  said)  from  here  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 

As  Elder  L.  M.  Berry  was  the  author  of  several  Circu- 
lar Letters  addressed  to  the  churches  in  union,  while  a  mem- 
ber of  the  King's  Mountain  Association,  we  will   therefore, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  263 

reproduce  his  letter  of  I860,  on  "The  design  and  authority  of 
Associations,  and  the  true  relations  existing  between  them  and  the 
churches  they  teprescnt." 

THE   LETTER. 

In  attempting  to  define  associations,  we  shall  first  define  our  po- 
sition in  relation  to  their  design  and  authority.  Associations  consist 
of  delegates  chosen  and  recommended  by  the  churches  in  union, 
who,  when  convened,  organize  themselves  into  what  is  commonly 
called  an  Advisory  Council,  by  electing  a  Moderator  and  Clerk  ;  they 
then  transact  such  business  as  may  legitimately  come  before  them. 
If  we  are  asked,  however,  for  the  Scriptural  plan  and  authority  for 
such  organized  bodies,  we  say  the  New  Testament  is  silent  on  the 
subject.  It  is  thought  by  some,  however,  that  the  xv.  chap,  of  Acts 
furnishes  us  a  sufficient  example,  at  least  for  Associations.  But  if 
the  reader  will  take  the  pains  to  read  the  whole  chapter,  he  will  find 
the  brethren  at  Antioch,  who  were  Gentiles,  were  not  willing  to  sub- 
mit to  circumcision  and  Moses'  law,  as  some  under  pretended  au- 
thority had  taught  them.  Faul  and  Barnabas,  therefore,  took  it  into 
head  to  go  up  to  Jerusalem  to  consult  the  mother  church  about  this 
question,  because  there  abode  here  Apostles  and  Elders — all  laboring 
under  divine  inspiration.  With  them,  therefore,  they  carne  together 
in  a  church  conference,  and  then  and  there  decided  that  tbey  had 
given  no  sued  authority  ;  and  after  writing  letters  to  Antioch,  and 
to  others  concerned  about  the  matter,  appointed  brethren  to  bear  the 
same,  who  also  should  tell  them  the  same  by  word  of  mouth.  This 
council  or  conference  then,  was  in  every  respect  dissimilar  to 
our  Associations. 

1st.  It  was  not  an  annual  or  periodical  meeting. 

2nd.  It  was  not  a  meeting  for  business  transaction,  but  simply 
a  meeting  to  settle  a  theological  question  that  had  arisen. 

But  it  may  be  asked,  may  we  not  now  settle  all  our  theological 
differences  by  a  Council  or  Association  f  We  answer  :  No.  We  are 
not  divinely  inspired  as  were<the  Apostles  and  Elders  at  Jerusalem. 

We  say,  then,  in  settling  all  our  theological  questions,  we  must 
take  them  up  to  the  Apostles  and  Elders,  and  let  them  settle  them 
for  us;  i.e.,  let  the  New  Testament  Scriptures,  which  is  the  only 
sure  rule  of  faith  and  practice,  settle  them  for  us.  You  ask  then  if 
the  xv.  chap,  of  Acts  does  not  afford  sufficient  precept  or  example' 
for  Associations,  why  have  them  ?  Answer  :  We  claim  them  upon 
the  ground  of  expediency.  Religion  has  its  laws  and  promises,  and 
they  are  given  too  by  the  Law-giver  in  Zion,  and  these  are  as  im- 
mutable and  Unchangable  as  their  author.  Yet  many  things  per- 
taining to  the  establishment  and  propagation  of  Christianity  are  of 
necessity  left  to  be  settled  by  time  and  circumstances  ;  in  a  word,  by 
expediency.  Take  for  an  illustration  the  following:  We  have  no 
account  of  any  houses  of  worship  being  erected  in  the  days  of  the 
Apostles,  yet  they  were  commanded  to  preach  the  Gospel.  Now  if 
this  could  be  done  most  successfully  without  houses,  then  it  would 
be  wrong  to  build  and  use  them.     But  on  examination  we  find  the 


284  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES", 

Apostles  at  first  had  the  free  use  of  the  Temple  and  Jewish  Syna- 
gogues, bat  time  and  circumstances  have  made  it  expedient  to  build 
houses  in  which  to  worship  God.  Again,  there  was  no  religious 
periodicals  in  the  days  of  the  Apostles,  yet  we  find  them  a  matter  of 
great  expediency  in  disseminating  religious  truth  all  around,-  where 
it  could  hardly  be  said  to  be  expedient  for  the  living  ministry  to  go. 
And  again,  no  translations  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  were  made  in  the 
days .of  the  Apostles,  and  nothing  said  about  it ;  yet  time  and  cir- 
cumstances have  made  it  not  only  expedient,  but  a  matter  of  absolute 
necessity  to  translate  the  Scriptures  into  many  different  languages 
aud  dialects,  and  this  is  done  in  order  to  carry  out  successfully  the 
great  commission  of  our  blessed  Savior,  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  every 
creature.  We  give  yet  another  illustration  :  We  perceive  in  this 
same  commission  of  Christ  to  His  Apostles,  we  are  commanded  b> 
baptize  all  that  believe.  Well,  every  man  of  common  Bible  infor- 
mation knows  that  baptism  means  immersion,  and  nothing  else. 
The  Savior,  iu  the  same  commission,  did  not  say  to  the  Apostles  or 
to  the  church,  make  pools  and  dam  up  creeks  and  branches  for  this 
purpose;  yet  sometimes  we  find  it  necessary  to  do  this  in  order  to> 
baptize  those  who  believe  through  the  preaching  of  the  pure  Gospel. 
Then  we  maintain  the  churches  have  a  right  to  organize  themselves 
into  associate  bodies  to  carry  out  the  commission  of  Christ,  on  the 
ground  of  expediency.  The  fact  is,  if  churches  are  authorized  to  do 
anything  for  the  promotion  of  Christianity,  they  are  authorized  to 
use  combined  effort,  provided  no  law  of  Christ  be  violated  ;  and  we 
maintain  that  none  is  violated  in  the  organization  of  an  Association, 
provided  such  bodies  do  not  attempt  to  act  beyond  their  proper 
sphere,  or  assume  powers  properly  belonging  to  the  churches  in  a 
church  capacity  only.  The  question  then  arises,  what  is,  and  what 
is  not  the  legitimate  work  of  Associations  ?  We  maintain,  the  proper 
work  of  an  Association  is  to  strive  for  "the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the 
bonds  of  peace"  amongst  the  churches;  the  employment  and  sus- 
taining of  missionaries  in  destitute  fields  ;  to  keep  np  our  statistical 
accounts;  to  concentrate  our  efforts  together  for  the  advancement  of 
the  Redeemer's  cause  on  earth,  and  for  the,  deposition  of  the  works 
of  darkness,  and,  finally,  to  "provoke  one  another  to  love  and  good 
works." 

We  think,  from  all  we  can  find  of  the  doings  of  the  first  Associ- 
ations, as  given  to  us  by  history,  the  Baptists  had  no  other  object  in. 
view  in  their  first  organization.  In  Davis'  History  of  the  Welch 
Baptists  we  find  an  association  in  existence  in  the  first  part  of  the 
sixth  century,  holding  a  meeting  on  the  borders  of  Herefordshire, 
Wales.  History  gives  us  but  little  of  their  doings  more  than  to  in- 
form us  that  Austin,  the  Romish  monk,  appeared  at  the  meeting 
and  said  he  would  propose  three  things  to  the  Welch  ministers  and 
messengers  of  the  different  churches  of  the  principality:  First,  he 
proposed  infant  baptism.  In  this  he  was  immediately  answered  by 
the  Welch  Baptists  that  they  would  keep  this  ordinance  as  well  as 
all  other  things,  as  they  had  received  them  from   the  Apostolic  age. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  •     2G5 

On  this  Austin  became  exceedingly  wroth,  and  influenced  the  Saxon 
pagans  to  murder  1200  ministers  and  delegates  there  present.  After 
this  we  lose  sight  of  Associations  until  after  the  Reformation,  when 
we  again  find  Associations  organized  at  Abergaverny,  Monmouth- 
shire, Wales.  On  the  14th  and  15th  days  of  August,  1653,  in  this 
meeting  the  principal  business  was  missionary  work,  as  history  in- 
forms us.  It  was  here  proposed  to  revive  the  old  plan  of  supporting 
ministers  in  weak  and  destitute  churches;  whereupon  Wm,  Thomp- 
son was  appointed  missionary  for  six  months,  and  received  from 
those  churches  about  £10.  From  the  foregoing  facts  the  reader  will 
readily  see  the  old  plan,  revived  in  the  16th  century,  had  for  its  ob- 
ject the  support  of  the  Gospel  in  destitute  places,  by  the  strongest 
churches  aiding  the  weaker  ones.  Then  the  missionary  cause  is  not 
a  new  thing,  as  some  vainly  suppose,  but  the  old  plan  revived,  and 
we  trust  that  this  Association  will  never  lose  sight  of  this  grand 
object — the  spread  of  a  pure  Gospel — until  the  kingdoms  of  this 
world  shall  become  the  kingdoms  of  God  and  of  His  Christ.  Many 
churches  and  brethren,  however,  have  fallen  into  a  mistaken  notion 
about  the  design  and  authority  of  Associations,  and  wish  to  use  them 
only  as  courts  of  appeal,  as  holding  some  kind  of  superior  authority 
over  the  churches.  This  has  partly  risen  as  we  suppose  from  the 
unscriptural  authority  assumed  by  Councils,  Synods,  Presbyteries 
and  Conferences,  which  assume  to  make  laws  and  settle  difficulties 
for  their  churches  or  congregations. 

Dear  brethren,  we  say  in  postive  terms,  with  the  Holy  Bible  be- 
fore us,  that  this  Association  presumes  to  hold  no  such  authority 
over  God's  heritage.  We  make  no  laws  to  govern  the  churches. 
The  Bible  alone  affords  a  sufficient  code  for  the  government  of  God's 
people,  and  this  is  clearly  taught  by  Paul,  when  he  says  to  Timothy, 
his  son  in  the  Gospel,  "All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God, 
and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruc- 
tion in  righteousness,  that  the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  thereby 
furnished  to  every  good  work." — 2d  Tim.  iii.  16,  17.     . 

Christ,  the  Head  of  the  Church,  has  given  to  it  its  laws  ;  the 
church  therefore  has  no  right — neither  has  its  functionaries — to  add 
to,  take  from,  alter  or  amend  the  same.  Baptists  have  always  been 
tenacious  for  the  pure  Scriptures  as  the  only  law  to  govern  God's 
people  in  religious  matters,  and  hence  has  arisen  their  opposition  to 
the  wicked  practice  of  uniting  church  and  state.  As  we  stated  in 
the  outset,  the  laws  of  God  are  immutable  and  unchangeable.  In 
the  xviii.  chap,  of  Matthew  we  have  the  law  for  dealing  in  private 
offences,  which  is  as  follows  :  "Moreover,  if  thy  brother  shall  tres- 
pass against  thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault  between,  thee  and  him 
alone ;  if  he  shall  hear  thee,  thou  hast  gained  thy  brother  ;  but  if  he 
will  not  hear  thee,  then  take  with  thee  one  or  two  more,  that  in  the 
mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses  every  word  maybe  established  ;  and 
if  he  shall  neglect  to  hear  them,  tell  it  unto  the  church;  but  if  he 
neglect  to  hear  the  church,  let  him  be  unto  thee  as  an  heathan  man 
and  a  publican  ;"  that  is,  excommunicate  him,  which  is  the  final 
34 


266  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

issue  of  the  whole  matter.  No  intimation  whatever  is  given  by  the 
Savior  that  either  party  may,  if  he  or  they  be  dissatisfied  with  the 
decision  of  the  church,  appeal  to  some  higher  authority.  And  again, 
in  public  offences,  as  in  the  case  of  the  incestuousperson  in  1st  Cor.  v. 
4,  5.  We  are  taught  "in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  when  ye 
are  gathered  together,  and  My  Spirit,  with  the  power  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  to  deliver  such  an  one  unto  Satan  for  the  destruction 
of  the  flesh,  that  the  spirit  may  be  saved  in  the  day  of  our  Lord 
Jesus."  No  law  for  an  appeal  appears  in  this  case,  but  the  trial  is 
final.  1  he  church  then  is  the  highest  ecclesiastical  authority  on 
earth,  and  has  no  original  or  independent  sovereignty  of  her  own 
that  she  can  delegate  to  any  one  else.  This  arises  from  her  inde- 
pendent form  of  government — one  church  not  being  bound  by  the 
act  of  another,  especially  when  said  acts  are  unscriptural  and  wicked. 
This  being  the  case,  there  is  therefore  no  necessity  for  appeals  to  asso- 
ciations. If  a  member  or  members  feel  that  they  have  been  wickedly 
and  unscripturally  dealt  with  and  excluded,  it  is  his  or  their  duty  to 
go  to  the  church  thus  dealing  and  remonstrate  with  them;  and  if 
she  still  persist  in  his  or  their  exclusion,  he  or  they  may  then  lay  the 
matter  before  another  church  which  may,  in  its  independency  and 
discretion,  restore  the  excluded  member  or  members.  We  would  not 
advise  this  course,  however,  until  the  last  named  church  has  made 
herself  fully  acquainted  with  all  the  facts  of  the  case,  and  then  faith- 
fully labored  with  the  excluding  church.  Then  if,  in  the  opinion 
of  the  church  to  which  the  excluded  member  or  members  have  ap-' 
plied  the  excluding  church  acted  wicked  and  unscripturally,  she 
may  receive  them  into  her  fellowship. 

We  do  not  think  the  wicked  and  unscriptural  acts  of  one  church 
can  bind  the  acts  of  every  other  church.  If  so,  every  church  must 
act  wickedly  because  one  church  has  chose  to  do  so. 

We  do  say  then,  according  to  the  laws  of  Christ,  one  church  is 
not  bound  by  the  sins  of  another  church.  The  facts  of  the  case  are 
about  these  :  if  a  church  in  her  independency,  wickedly  and  unscru- 
pulously excommunicates  a  member  from  her  fellowship,  another 
church  in  her  independency  may  rightfully  restore  him  to  fellow- 
ship, and  yet  no  right  of  any  church  is  by  this  act  violated.  In  con- 
clusion, we  then  say  the  churches,  in  their  associate  capacity,  have 
a  right  to  say  what  churches  may  be  admitted  into  the  confederacy 
and  what  churches  shall  not;  and  in  cases  of  divisions  among 
churches  where  both  parties  shall  send  up  a  letter  and  delegates  to 
the  Association,  she  may  decide  which,  if  either  party,  she  will  re- 
ceive into  her  confederacy,  and  in  doing  this  she  is  certainly  not 
interfering  with  the  internal  rights  of  any  church. 

Our  earnest  prayer  to  God  is  that  peace  and  prosperity  may  long 
continue  to  abound  among  the  churches  composing  this  and  similar 
bodies.     Amen.  L.  M.  Berry. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  £67 

Bonner,  Elder  Bryant  was  a  native  of  Spartanburg 
county,  S.  C,  born  February  4th,  1817.  Intermarried  wiiu 
Miss  Hannah  Foster,  April  7th,  1836,  in  the  19th  year  of 
his  age,  and  settled  in  his  native  county.  In  1848  he  made 
his  first  appearance  in  the  Broad  River  Association  at  the 
session  held  at  Buffalo  church  ;  was  then  a  lay  delegate;  and 
continued  to  represent  the  Buck  Creek  church  tor  several 
sessions.  In  1855  he  was  ordained  to  the  Go&pe.i  ministry, 
and  preached  acceptably  to  several  of  the  churches  w'ithiu 
the  bounds  of  the  Broad  River  and  King's  Mountain  Asso- 
ciations. At  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  in  1872  he  was 
chosen  Moderator  and  presided  with  dignity  over  the  delib- 
erations of  the  body.  When  in  1876  the  Spartanburg  Asso- 
ciation was  organized  (Elder  Bonner  being  at  that  time  a 
member  of  Limestone  church,)  he  joined  the  new  body,  and 
was  an  active  member  of  the  same  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  took  place  April  7th,  1879,  in  the  6od  year  of 
liis  age. 

Elder  Bonner  was  above  the  ordinary  size  of  men  in 
weight  and  stature,  inclining  somewhat  to  corpulency  ;  was 
near-sighted,  and  consequently  always  wore  spectacles,  but 
had  a  genial  and  pleasant  face.  He  was  in  the  early  part  of 
his  ministerial  life  quite  lively  and  humorous,  and  a  great 
mimic.  We  have  been  greatly  amused  in  hearing  him  tell 
funny  anecdotes,  with'a  view  sometimes  to  tease  the  breth- 
ren— one  of  which  we  will  reproduce:  Some  of  the  brethren, 
who  shall  now  be  nameless,    had  held  a  protracted  meeting 

at church,  which,  if  it  was  not  noted  for  anything  else, 

was  certainly  remarkable  for  bearing  off  the  palms  in  point 
of  duration — three  weeks  having  been  entirely  consumed  in 
the  services.  The  supply  of  ''creature  comforts"  thought- 
fully provided  for  an  anticipated  "long-winded"  meeting  be- 
came well  nigh  completely  exhausted.  The  stock  of  poultry 
in  the  vicinity  of  that  church  was  said  to  be  reduced  down 
to  a  guinea,  an  old  rooster  and  a  drake.  The  guinea  relied 
on  the  strength  and  elasticity  of  his  wings  to  save  himself, 
and  had  selected  the  top  of  a  high  shade  tree  as  his  pereh, 
while  the  rooster  laid  betook  himself  to  the  upper  story  of 
the  barn,  and  the  drake  occupied  the  basement  or  lower 
apartment  of  the  same  building.  While  thus  concealed  for 
several  days,  suffering  in  the  meanwhile  for  subsistance,  and 
being  extremely  anxious  for  something  like  armistice  or  ces- 
sation of  hotilities :  the  guinea  at  the  risk  of  his  life  com- 
menced crying,  protracted,  protracted,  protracted?  Chanticleer, 
hearing  the  cry  of  the  guinea,  immediately  emerged  from 
his  concealment,  andfiying  to  a  window,  at  once  made  inquiry 
by  crowing,  ape-they-gone  f  are-they  gone  ?     The  drake,  being 


288  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

aroused  from  his  carefully  selected  hiding  place  by  hearing 
the  voice  of  his  fellow  bipeds,  and  being  more  wary  and 
cautious  than  either  of  them,  ventured  to  the  eve  of  his  well 
concealed  position,  and  upon  pain  of  inevitable  destruction, 
bade  them  hush!  h-u-s-h!  h-u-s—hl  Of  course  this  was  in- 
tended as  mere  hilarity  and  joke,  and  yet  it  also  answered 
as  a  philipic  on  the  excesses  of  protracted  meetings. 

Blackwell,  Elder  Zechariah  was  a  pioneer  minister 
of  the  Broad  River  Association,  and  appears  as  a  delegate  in 
1808,  from  State  Line  church,  Spantanburg  county,  S.  C, 
and  in  1823,  he  represented  Buck  Creek  church  in  the  ses- 
sion at  Reedy  River  of  that  year.  In  1812,  he  preached  the 
introductory  sermon  at  Friendship  church.  He  was  for  that 
period  considered  an  able  preacher. 

Elder  M.  C.  Barnett  in  his  Association al  Sketches,  says: 
"At  the  session  of  1842,  at  El  Bethel  church,  I  saw  Elder 
Blackwell  for  the  last  time.  He  was  very  old;  but  still  he 
had  not  thrown  off  the  mantel  of  his  calling;  I  remember 
yet  the  veneration  I  felt  for  him  ;  when,  after  the  association 
adjourned,  he  came  out  of  the  house  and  pulled  off  his  hat, 
and  standing  in  the  yard  he  published  that  he  would  preach 
at  such  a  place  at  such  a  time.  His  head  was  as  white  as 
cotton,  his  voice  weak  and  tremulous,  and  his  whole  physi- 
cal appearance  that  of  a  man  standing  on  the  brink  of  the 
grave.  His  dress  was  coarse  and  well  worn,  but  still  there 
was  a  dignity  of  virtue  and  an  air  of  majesty  about  him  that 
captivated,  even  while  it  subdued.  He  died  in  the  course  of 
that  year,  and  his  grave,  which  is  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Cherokee  Ford,  on  Broad  River,  has  remained  without  any- 
thing to  mark  it  until  two  years  ago  when,  at  the  suggestion 
ofBro.  Win.  Curtis,  the  Association  resolved  to  erect  a 
tombstone  at  his  grave,  with  a  suitable  inscription  to  his 
memory,  and  immediately  raised  money  in  the  body  for  that 
purpose. 

As  a  preacher  he  had  nothing  of  the  polish  of  oratory 
about  him,  but  having  made  the  Bible  his  principal  study, 
he  always  preached  as  a  scribe  well  instructed  in  the  king- 
dom— never  being  at  a  loss  for  an  apt  quotation  of  Scripture 
in  support  of  anything  he  advanced;  with  a  melting  pathos 
and  sound  sense  his  sermons  could  not  but  be  as  they  were, 
both  interesting  and  instructive.  If  he  had  been  favored 
with  the  advantages  of  an  early  training  he  would  no  doubt 
have  been  one  of  the  shining  lights  of  his  day.  Who  can 
forbear  a  tear  of  sympathy  when  standing  by  the  graves  of 
such  men  as  old  Bro.  Blackwell;  and  remembering  those 
pathetic  lines  of  Gray  : 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  269 

"Perhaps  in  this  neglected  spot  is  laid 
Some  heart  once  pregnant  with  celestial  fire  ; 
Hands  that  the  rod  of  empire  might  have  swayed, 
Or  waked  to  ecstacy  the  living  lyre. 
But  knowledge  to  their  eyes  her  ample  page, 
Rich  with  the  sports  of  time  did  ne'r  unroll ; 
Chill  penury  expressed  their  noble  rage, 
And  froze  the  genial  current  of  the  soul." 
"After  all,"  says  Roland  Hill,  "that  is  the  best  preach- 
ing that   best   answers  the    end   of    preaching ;"  and   says 
Fuller:    'Those   ministers   whose   labors  have    been    more 
abundantly  owned  for  the  promotion  of  true  religion,  have 
been    distinguished  by   their   attachment   to    the    common 
Truth,  and  have   not  descended  to   curious  researches,    nor 
indulged   in  a  spirit  of  speculation  upon  what  is  so  clearly 
revealed.     And  those  churches   which  have   abounded  the 
most  in  vital  and  practical  goodness,  and  such  as  have  loved 
and  lived   upon  the  Truth,    from   whomsoever  it  has  pro- 
ceeded.' " 

Elder  Zechariah  Blackwell  died  October  12th,  1843, 
and  his  demise  is  properly  noticed  in  the  Minutes.  (See 
journalistic  part  of  this  work,  session  of  1843). 


Blackwell,  Elder  Joel  was  a  pioneer  minister  and 
member  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Green  River,  Rutherford 
county,  JST.  C,  which  church  was  one  of  the  constituent 
members  of  the  Broad  River  Association,  organized  in  the 
year  1800.  He  continued  an  active  member  and  represent- 
ative until  the  year  1835.  The  session  convened  that  year 
at  Wolf's  Creek  church,  and  he  served  then  and  there  his 
last  term  in  the  Association.  In  the  succeeding  session  at 
Zion  church  he  is  recorded  an  absentee,  and  in  the  Minutes 
of  the  session  of  1839  the  following  item  appears  on  the 
record  :  "It  becomes  our  painful  duty  to  record  the  death  of 
Elder  Joel  Blackwell,  who  departed  this  life  sometime  during 
the  past  associational  year." 

The  services  rendered  by  him  in  the  Gospel  ministry, 
and  the  faithfulness  and  zeal  with  which  he  discharged  the 
various  duties  assigned  him  while  occupying  a  station  so 
important  on  the  walls  of  Zion  (which  he  continued  to  do 
for  near  forty  years,)  entitle  him  to  the  remembrance  and 
.  respect  of  all  good  men;  for  he  not  only  in  his  early  life 
taught  the  healthful  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  with  force  and 
with  confidence  in  its  correctness  and  truth,  but  he  even,  in 
his  declining  years,  ratified  the  things  which  he  had  spoken, 
by  discovering  a  holy  calmness  in  view  of  death  and  his  ap- 
proaching  dissolution,  which   did    honor   to   the    christian 


270  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

cause.  He  died  as  he  had  lived,  expressing  great  love  and 
regard  for  his  fellow-men,  and  beloved  "by  all  whose  oppor- 
tunities in  life  enabled  them  to  appreciate  the  worth  of  such 
a  good  man. 

In  offering  this  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  our 
departed  brethren  we  earnestly  sympathize  with  his  rela- 
tives and  friends;  vet  we  advise  them  not  to  sorrow  and 
grieve  as  those  having  no  hope — for  although  we  are  deprived 
of  the  blessings  of  his  usefulness  and  presence  here,  yet  we 
have  great  reason  to  believe  that  his  immortal  spirit  has  gone 
home  to  rest  in  a  tar  better  land — to  be  eiiriched  with  the 
full  fruition  of  everlasting  joys,  and  there  to  lisp  undying 
praises  in  harmonious  songs  to  his  Eternal  King,  and  ever 
to  mingle  with  the  innumerable  company  of  happified  spir- 
its that  fly  in  glorious  splendor  around  the  dazzling  throne 
of  the  great  Jehovah  God. 

We  once  heard  related  an  anecdote  of  this  good  man. 
He  had  a  neighbor,  S.  C,  who,  bye-the-bye,  was-  a  clever  cit- 
izen and  honest-hearted  man,  but  who  was  of  intemperate 
habits,  and  had  on  a  certain  occasion  indulged  too  freely  in 
quaffing  alcoholic  draughts,  by  reason  of  which  he  became 
fuddled  and  deprived  of  his  proper  balance ;  and  while  in 
that  topsy-turvy  condition,  being  mounted  in  the  saddle  he 
fell  from  his  horse  on  his  way  homeward  from  a  grocery, 
and  being  a  corpulent  and  heavy  man  he  had  the  misfortune 
to  get  his  collar  bone  dislocated,  and  otherwise  seriously  in- 
jured, in  consequence  of  which  he  was  laid  up  some  time — 
almost  at  the  point  of  death.  Elder  Blackwell,  hearing  of 
his  misfortune,  and  deeming  it  a  Scriptural  duty  he  owed  to 
frail  humanity,  paid  him  a  visit  to  administer  to  his  necessi- 
ties, and  judging  it  might  be  a  good  time  to  make  a  religious 
impression,  he  inquired  in  the  kindest  manner  of  him  if  he 
did  not  thinly  it  (the  mishap)  as  a  judgment,  inflicted  upon 
him  by  reason  of  his  sinful  habits?  And  after  expatiating 
at  some  length  on  the  providence  of  God  in  sparing  the  lives 
of  His  disobedient  and  erring  creatures,  rather  in  the  form 
of  a  sick-room  lecture,  he  again  turned  his  eyes  toward  his 
suffering  neighbor,  and  asked  him  if  he  did  not  consider  his 
sufferino'S  a  judgment.  Said  the  suffering  man  :  "I  do  not. 
If  it  was  a  judgment,  I  could  stay  it ;  but  it  is  more  of  the 
nature  of  an  execution,  and  therefore  I  suppose  we  shall 
have  to  let  it  rip  !"  Doubtless  the  old  man  of  God  consid- 
ered his  neighbor  a  depraved  specimen  of  humanity  ! — a 
Tartar  that  still  loved  to  adhere  to  the  wine  cask  ! 

Elder  Joel  Blackwell  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary 
war.  The  date  of  his  birth  is  unknown  to  us.  His  style  or 
manner  of  preaching  was  said  to  be  of  the  sing-song  charac- 


i 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  271 

iter.  He  was  of  robust,  heavy  build,  pleasant  and  affable 
ananners  ;  and  although  not  an  able  preacher,  yet  devotedly 
pious  and  useful  in  the  times  he  lived. 

Bomar,  Elder  Thomas  was  a  native  of  Spartanburg 
county,  S.  (1,  the  date  of  his  birth  unknown  to  us.  He  was 
a  member  of  Bethlehem  church,  and  in  the  session  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  in  the  year  1818  appeared  in  that 
body  as  a  delegate,  and  continued  to  represent  said  church 
several  sessions  afterwards.  In  the  session  of  1820  he  was 
chosen  Moderator  of  the  Association,  and  discharged  the 
duties  of  the  chair  with  ability  and  dignity.  His  personal 
appearance  was  very  fine  and  prepossessing,  tall  and  erect 
in  his  carriage,  of  graceful  gestures,  and  good  voice  and 
articulation.  His  scholastic  attainments  were  said  not  to  ex- 
tend further  than  a  tolerably  accurate  knowledge  of  the 
English  language  ;  he  was  however  well  posted  in  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  scarcely  ever  failed  to  interest  the  congregations 
that  attended  on  his  ministrations  of  the  "Word.  So  popular 
had  he  become  as  a  preacher  that  he  was  appointed  by  the 
^Association  to  preach  the  introductory  sermons  to  the  ses- 
sions of  1820-'23  and  1828,  and  at  the  session  of  1824  he 
was  chosen  to  write  a  circular  letter  to  the  churches  on  the 
subject  of  Christian  Liberty,  which  we  reproduce  as  a  tribute 
to  his  memory. 

In  the  session  of  the  Association  of  1830,  we  find  the 
following  entry  on  the  Minutes  :  "It  is  with  deep-felt  sorrow 
that  we  record  the  death  of  our  much  esteemed  and  well 
beloved  brother,  Elder  Thomas  Bomar.  The  churches  un- 
der his  charge  have  sustained  a  great  bereavement,  as  have 
his  dear  family  and  relatives.  To  them  his  loss  is  irrepara- 
ble, but  to  him  infinite  gain  and  everlasting  joy  at  (fod's 
right  hand." 

CIRCULAR   LETTER. 

Beloved  Brethren : — The  subject  on  which  we  have  thought 
proper  to  address  you  this  year  is  that  of  Christian  Liberty — a  sub- 
ject which  you  will  discover  is  of  great  importance,  if  you  consider 
the  great  price  with  which  it  was  purchased,  viz  :  the  precious  blood 
of  Christ.  For  when  we  speak  of  Christian  Liberty,  we  mean  a 
liberty  peculiar  to  christians — that  is,  a  liberty  to  which  none  but 
christians  are  entitled  You  will  observe,  Brethren,  that  the  term, 
liberty  is,  in  its  meaning,  very  copious,  embracing  a  variety  of  ideas, 
and  consequently  is  liable  to  misconstruction.  We  shall  therefore 
through  the  whole  of  this  address  speak  of  liberty  and  freedom,  as 
being  synonymous  terms.  These  things  being  promised,  we  pro- 
ceed to  state  briefly  in  the  first  place  what  we  understand  by  the 
term.  Christian  Liberty,  and  secondly,  how  that  liberty  may  be 
abused.     First,  our   blessed    Lord  speaks  of  the  state  of  wrath  and 


272  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

condemnation  in  which  sinners  are  by  nature  in  a  state  of  slavery 
to  sin.  John  viii.  31.  "Whosoever  committeth  sin  is  the  servant  of 
sin;"  consequently,  to  be  delivered  from  the  guilt  of  sin,  maybe 
considered  christian  liberty.  For  Christ  says,  "If  the  Son  therefore 
shall  make  you  free,  ye  shall  be  free  indeed."  John  viii.  36.  And 
the  Apostle  Paul  says,  "The  law  of  the  spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus- 
hath  made  me  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death."  Rom.  viii.  2. 
Furthermore,  by  christian  liberty  or  freedom,  we  may  understand 
freedom  from  the  wrath  of  God  and  the  curse  of  His  law.  For  the 
Apostle  saith,  "Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law, 
being  made  a  curse  for  us."  Gal.  iii.  13.  Much  more  to  the  same 
purport  might  be  said  :  as  freedom  from  the  sting  of  death — victory 
over  the  grave,  &c,  but  our  limits  forbid  us  to  proceed. 

The  liberty  of  which  we  have  been  speaking  was  common  to  the 
saints  under  the  Old  Testament  dispensation  as  well  as  under  the 
New  ;  but  under  the  dispensation  of  the  New  Testament  Christ  hath 
greatly  enlarged  the  liberty  of  His  church,  by  delivering  them  from 
the  yoke  of  the  ceremonial  law.  To  this  subject  the  Apostle  evi- 
dently alludes,  when  he  says:  "Stand  fast  therefore  in  the  liberty 
wberewith  Christ  hath  made  us  free."  Gal.  v.  1.  Our  blessed  High 
Priest  has  freed  us  from  those  numerctis  ceremonies  to  which  the 
Jewish  church  was  subject — those  ceremonies  having  received 
their  accomplishment  in  Him,  and  He  having  entered  into  Heaven, 
where  He  lives  and  pleads  His  own  merits  in  behalf  of  His  church. 
To  this  subject  the  Apostle  evidently  alludes  when  he  says,  "Seeing 
tben,  that  we  have  a  great  High  Priest  that  is  passed  into  the  heav- 
ens— Jesus,  the  Son  of  God — let  us  hold  fast  our  profession."  Heb. 
iv,  14.  Christian  liberty  further  consists  in  a  privilege  to  use  and 
enjoy,  in  a  lawful  manner,  those  temporal  blessings  which  God  has 
provided  for  mankind  in  common — such  as  eating,  drinking,  &c, 
together  with  all  tbe  real  or  lawful  enjoyments  arising  from  the 
nuptial  or  social  life. 

Having  briefly  stated  what  we  understand  by  christian  liberty, 
we  come  secondly  to  speak  of  the  way  in  which  that  liberty  may  be 
abused.  1st,  when  professors  of  Christianity  indulge  in  the  practice 
of  licentiousness,  or  sin  of  any  kind,  they  abuse  christian  liberty,  as 
ii  evident  from  the  words  of  the  Apostle  ;  for  in  tbe  epistle  to  the 
Galatians  he  speaks  thus  :  "For,  brethren,  ye  have  been  called  unto 
liberty  :  only  use  not  liberty  for  an  occasion  to  the  flesh,  but  hy  love 
serve  one  another."  Gal.  v.  13.  For  although  the  saints  "are  not 
under  the  law,  but  under  grace  ;"  yet  they  have  not  liberty  to  trans- 
gress the  law,  nor  can  they  transgress  it  without  chastisement. 
Rom.  vi.  13,  II ;  Heb.  xii.  5,  6,  7,  &c,  and  placed  in  a  state  of  justifi- 
cation before  God,  through  the  merits  of  the  atonement  of  Christ. 
We  indulge  in  the  neglect  of  any  of  those  duties  which  are  enjoined 
on  us  as  christians  ;  we,  in  that  case,  abuse  christian  liberty.  For 
Christ  hath  not  freed  His  people  from  the  curse  of  the  moral  law, 
and  from  the  yoke  of  the  ceremonial  law,  to  indulge  them  in  a  sloth- 
ful  or  careless  neglect  of  the  ordinances  of  His  Gospel ;  "but  now 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  273 

being  made  free  from  sin,  and  become  servants  to  God,"  &c.  Rom. 
vi.  22.  So  that  if  we  are  free  from  sin,  we  are  the  servants  of  God, 
and  we  cannot  be  the  servants  of  God  except  we  serve  Him  ;  nor 
can  we  serve  Him  in  the  neglect  of  His  ordinances ;  so  we  see  that 
we  are  not  at  liberty  to  neglect  any  of  those.  And  we  have  reason  to 
believe,  if  we  are  willing  to  indulge  ourselves  in  sin,  or  in  any  respect 
to  neglect  the  duties  of  religion,  that  we  are  yet  under  sin,  however 
highly  we  may  endeavor  to  flatter  ourselves  to  the  contrary.  I  ndeed, 
we  have  no  right  to  claim  the  promises  of  the  Gospel  if  we  indulge 
in  sin,  and  thus  abuse  our  liberty.  For  our  blessed  Lord  says,  '"He 
that  hath  my  commandments  and  keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth 
me."  John  xiv.  20.  Again,  'Tf  a  man  love  me,  he  will  keep  my 
words  ;  and  my  Father  will  love  him,"  &c.  Thus,  brethren,  we  see 
that  although  christians  under  the  Gospel  are  freed  from  the  cere, 
monies  of  the  Jewish  law,  from  the  condemning  power  of  the  moral 
law,  and  have  liberty  to  come  to  the  throne  of  grace  and  plead  the 
merits  of  their  blessed  High  Priest,  yet  they  have  no  liberty  to  neg- 
lect the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel,  or  to  indulge  in  sin.  Let  them 
know  that  they  are  abusing  christian  liberty,  wounding  the  cause  of 
their  blessed  Redeemer,  the  feelings  of  their  pious  brethren,  and  are 
bringing  darkness  on  their  own  minds,  and  must  finally  answer  for 
such  conduct  to  God. 

"And  now,  brethren,  we  commend  you  to  God  and  to  the  Word 
of  His  grace,"  praying  that  He  may  give  you  grace  to  rightfully  ap- 
preciate your  liberty  as  christians.     Farewell ! 

Thomas  Bomar. 
October  15th.  1824. 


Brewton,  Elder  George  was  a  pioneer  minister  and 
member  of  Friendship  church,  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C, 
the  oldest  church  in  the  Broad  River  Association.  He  ap- 
pears in  1805  as  a  delegate,  and  continued  regularly  as  such 
until  the  year  1815.  In  the  Minutes  of  that  session  we  tin:] 
the  following  entry  :  "It  is  with  sorrow  wre  have  to  announce 
the  death  of  our  venerable  and  worthy  brother  in  Christ, 
Elder  George  Brewton,  who  was  an  humble  christian,  a  pious 
minister,  a  nursing  father  in  Zion,  a  good  citizen,  a  loving 
husband,  a  tender  parent,  and  a  friend  to  the  needy.  We 
lament  and  are  sensible  of  our  loss,  while  he  rejoices  in  his 
great  gain  in  the  congregation  that  never  breaks  up." 

We  find  that  in  the  year  1812  he  was  chosen  to  preside 
over  the  deliberations  of  the  Association  as  Moderator,  which 
circumstance  we  take  as  an  evidence  of  his  good  standing  in 
the  esteem  of  his  brethren.  We  are  unable  to  learn  any 
other  particulars  of  his  life. 


Blackwell,  Elder  Jobin  was  an  old  pioneer  minister, 
and  was  in  the  organization  of  the  Broad  River  Association, 
being  a  delegate   from   Green's    Creek  church,  Rutherford 
"35 


274  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

county,  K.  C.  The  old  brother  was  said  to  have  been  a  Rev- 
olutionary soldier  of  the  war  of  1776.  We  find  that  he  con- 
tinned  to  represent  Green  Creek  church  almost  continuously, 
to  the  year  1834,  but  his  name  appears  in  the  Minutes 
marked  as  an  absentee  for  several  sessions  previously..  We 
suppose  the  infirmities  of  age  prevented  his  attendance. 
According  to  the  best  information  we  can  get,  he  died  in 
that  same  year.  His  son,  John  Blackwell,  was  afterwards  a 
deacon  of  Green's  Creek  church,  and  represented  it  as  a  del- 
egate, as  did  his  father  before  him,  for  several  years.  The 
old  preacher  is  said  to  ha^e  been  a  good  man,  but  not  gifted. 


Brown,  Elder  W.  L.  is  a  native  of  Rutherford  county, 

N.  C,  born  about  the  year  1888.  It  appears  from  the  Min- 
utes of  the  Broad  River  Asscciation  that  he  became  a  mem- 
ber of  that  body  in  the  year  1870,  he  then  being  a  delegate 
from  Sulphur  Springs  church,  in  which  connection  he  con- 
tinued until  1874,  when  he  became  a  representative  of  Phil- 
adelphia church,  and  in  1876  he  joined  the  Spartanburg 
Association,  of  which  he  is  now  a  worthy  member.  At  the 
sessions  of  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1872-73,  he  was 
elected  clerk  of  the  body,  and  while  a  member  thereof  he 
filled  various  appointments  on  the  different  boards  and  com- 
mittees of  the  Association,  evincing  good  business  tact  in 
the  work  of  the  body. 

Elder  Brown  intermarried  with  a  Worthy  daughter  of 
Deacon  J.  W.  Montgomery,  of  the  Sulphur  Springs  church, 
and  had  the  pastoral  care  of  that  and  some  other  churches 
of  the  Broad  River  Association  until  the  Spartanburg  body 
was  organized.  He  is  now  pastor  of  the  church  at  Gaffney 
City,  on  the  Air-Line  Railroad,  and  has  recently  received  a 
call  from  the  church  at  Statesville,  Iredell  county,  1ST.  C, 
which  we  are  informed  he  accepts.  Elder  Brown  is  a  good 
preacher  and  a  zealous,  christian  worker,  and  by  his  ener- 
getic efforts  for  improvement  he  has  great]y  succeeded  in 
overcoming  the  many  disadvantages  he  has  heretofore  had 
to  encounter  in  obtaining  a  better  ministerial  education. 
Being  yet  in  the  bloom  and  vigor  of  manhood,  and  his  men- 
ial faculties  vet  bright  and  still  more  brightening,  his  nume- 
rous  friends  are  buoyant  with  the  hopes  of  his  great  useful- 
ness in  the  ereat  cause  of  the  Master  in  which  he  is  now 
engageo*.     May  their  hopes  be  fully  realized  ! 


Burgess,  Elder  Thomas  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  and 
previous  to  the  organization  of  the  Broad  River  Association 
had  loc  ited  in  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C,  and  become  a 
member  of  Boiling  Springs  church,  which  church  was  then 
a  member  of  the  Bethel  Association,    and   since  dissolved. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  275 

While  Elder  Burgess  was  a  member  of  tins  church  it  was, 
with  others,  dismissed  to  join  in  the  organization  of  i^e 
Broad  .River  body,  which,  tradition  says,  took  place  at  Sandy 
Run  church  in  1800.  We  have  not  been  able  to  iind  any 
record  of  the  proceedings  of  the  convention  that  organized 
the  Association,  and  incline,  to  the  opinion  that  the  journal 
never  was  published  at  all.  We  find,  however,  from  the 
published  Minutes  of  the  year  1801  (the  session  being  heid 
at  Greeu's  Creek  church-,  in  Rutherford  county,  N.  C.,j  that 
Elder  Burgess  being  a  representative  of  Boiling  (Springs  was 
in  this  session  of  1801,  and 'was  chosen  Moderator  of  the, 
body.  He  was  probably  a  veteran  in  age,  and  being  a  man 
of  exemplary  piety  was  doubtless  called  to  the  chair  as  an 
act  of  courtesy,  and  he  may  ve~y  properly  be  called  the  father 
of  the  Broad  River  Association.  Notwithstanding  he  was 
a  veteran  at  this  early  period  of  the  Association,  yet  he  did 
not  pass  away  for  several  years  afterwards,  for  we  find  it  re- 
corded in  the  Minutes  that  he  preached  the  introductory 
sermon  to  the  session  of"  1803,  but  after  that  we  find  no  fur- 
ther account  of  him ;  he  either  died  and  went  to  his  reward 
or  removed  without  the  bounds  of  the  Association,  which  is 
most  probable,  as  there  is  no  notice  of  his  demise  on  the 
face  of  the  Minutes  subsequently. 

In  the  session  of  1802  he  was  appointed  to  wrrite  a  cir- 
cular letter  to  the  churches,  on  the  growing  evils  and  nature  of 
the  sin  of  intemperance.  This  fact  is  evidence  that  the  body 
at  that  time  held  him  in  high  esteem,  and  placed  great  reli- 
ance on  his  ability  and  the  influence  that  he  wielded  among 
the  churches  and  people.  He  leaves  behind  him  as  a  repre- 
sentative a  great-grand-son,  in  the  person  of  Elder  W.  E. 
Burgess,  of  Spartanburg  count}',  S.  C,  who  it  is  hoped  will 
prove  worthy  of  the  pioneer  ancestor. 

Burgess,  Elder  John  E.,  of  Brown's  Chapel  church,  is 
a  native  of  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C. ;  was  born  May  24th, 
1854.  Is  a  son  ot  Darius  Burgess,  who  is  a  grand-son  of  the 
old  pioneer  minister,  Thomas  Burgess,  who  presided  as 
Moderator  at  the  first  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association 
after  its  organization  in  1800. 

Bro.  John  E.  was  a  delegate  to  the  Association  first  in 
1877  at  Friendship  church,  having  been  converted  in  1872, 
and  baptized  by  Elder  L.  Vaughn  into  the  fellowship  of 
Brown's  Chapel.  In  1878  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  being 
then  a  beneficiary  of  the  Association,  and  striving  to  obtain 
an  education.  In  1875  he  intermarried  with  Miss  Carrie 
Grier,  who  proved  to  be  an  affectionate  and  useful  helpmate 
— God's  best  gift  to  man. 

In  1876  he  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel 


276  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

ministry  by  a  presbytery,  consisting  of  Elders  J.  G.  Carter 
and  L.  Vaughn;  and  has  since  served  Zion  Hill,  Cowpens, 
Camp's  Creek,  Macedonia,  Mount  Ararat,  Gilead  and  Biv- 
ingsville  churches,  laboring  in  word  and  doctrine. 

Elder  Burgess  being  only  in  the  29th  year  of  his  age, 
has  a  bright  prospect  of  many  years  of  usefulness  in  the 
Master's  work.  We  hope  the  fond  anticipations  of  his  many 
friends  may  be  realized,  and  that  he  as  a  worthy  descendant 
of  the  worthy  old  pioneer  may  prove  to  be  a  polished  shaft 
in  the  Lord's  quiver,  and  that  he  may  accomplish  much  good 
amongst  the  churches  of  the  Broad  River  Association. 


Bridges,  Elder  James  Monroe  was  born  April  1st,  1847, 
in  Cleveland  county,  K  C.  In  1868  married  Miss  M.  E. 
Beam,  who  proves  to  be  an  affectionate  helpmate  in  the  toils 
of  life.  Joined  the  church  at  Beaver  Dam  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  L.  H.  McSwain  in  1872 ;  licensed  in  1873  and  or- 
dained to  the  full  Gospel  ministry  of  the  word  in  1874. 
Elder  Bridges  is  struggling  to  obtain  an  education,  being 
now  a  student  under  Prof.  King,  of  the  Shelby  High  School ; 
is  making  improvements  rapidly  in  his  studies  and  in  the 
ministry,  and  is  now  an  acceptable  and  popular  preacher. 
He  first  entered  the  King's  Mountain  Association  as  a  dele- 
gate in  the  session  of  1872,  and  has  continued  to  represent 
Double  Springs  church  every  year  since.  He  is  now  in  the 
36th  year  of  his  age,  and  in  the  enjo3-ment  of  fine  health  with 
bright  prospects  of  future  usefulness  in  the  ministry.  May 
his  life  be  spared  him,  and  the  anticipations  of  his  numerous 
christian  friends  be  realized  in  his  future  labors  of  love. 


Byers,  Elder  Joseph  appears  to  have  been  a  Broad 
River  Baptist  minister  in  the  year  1805.  He  probably  emi- 
grated or  died  soon  after  that  period,  as  we  find  nothing  re- 
corded subsequently  concerning  him  in  the  Minutes  of  the 
Association.  He  leaves  many  descendants  now  too  young 
to  communicate  any  information  respecting  their  ancient 
pioneer  ancestor,  who  was  doubtless  an  able  minister  of  the. 
Xew  Testament  in  his  day  and  time. 


Blythe,  Elder  Sion  was  a  minister  of  the  Broad  River 
Association  in  the  year  1805,  and  was  probably  cut  off  from 
said  body  by  the  formation  of  the  French  Broad  River  Asso- 
ciation in  1807.  Elder  James  Blythe,  of  Henderson  county, 
N.  C,  is  said  to  be  a  descendant  of  this  pioneer  Baptist  min- 
ister. For  the  want  of  better  information  we  can  only  make 
this  mere  mention  of  one  who  was  doubtless  a  worthy  min- 
ister  of  Christ. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  277 

Bankstone,  Elder  John  was  a  member  of  Buck  Creek 
■church,  in  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C,  and  represented  that 
church  in  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association  in  the 
year  1808 ;  and  although  we  are  unable  to  glean  from  the 
Minutes  or  any  one  living  now,  that  he  ever  acted  a  very 
conspicuous  part  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  yet  we  are 
assured  of  the  fact,  from  the  records  of  the  Association,  that 
he  was  a  minister  in  good  standing.  Let  his  name  therefore 
be  preserved  for  his  work's  sake,  which  was  doubtless  often 
acceptable.  

Bradshaw,  Elder  Fields  was  a  member  of  Mount  Ru- 
harna  church,  Burke  county,  N.  C,  and  a  delegate  therefrom 
to  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1823,  and  had  served  in 
several  sessions  previously  as  a  licentiate.  He  continued  in 
that  connection  until  after  the  formation  of  the  Catawba 
River  Association  in  1828,  when  his  church  was  dismissed 
from  the  Broad  River  body  to  aid  in  that  object. 

During  the  time  that  Elder  Bradshaw  remained  in  the 
Broad  River,  we  notice  that  he  preached  the  introductory 
sermon  in  1824.  and  was  recognized  as  a  worthv  minister. 
We  have  no  other  knowledge  of  him. 


Camp,  Elder  Joseph  was  one  of  the  old  pioneer  minis- 
ters of  the  Broad  River  Association,  and  a  native  of  the  State 
of  Maryland,  the  date  of  his  birth  unknown.  Tradition  has 
it  that  he  organized  the  church  at  Buffalo,  and  became  a  con- 
stituent member  thereof  previous  to  the  organization  of  the 
Association,  and  baptized  Elders  Drury  Dobbins  and  Berry- 
man  Hicks,  two  of  the  most  prominent  ministers  afterwards 
in  the  Association.  That  previous  to  the  formation  of  the 
Association  in  1800,  in  which  he  bore  a  conspicuous  part, 
and  just  after  Col.  Carleton's  defeat  at  Cowpens,  in  Spartan- 
burg county,  S.  C,  by  Gen.  Morgan  in  January,  1781,  Lord 
Cornwallis  had  him  arrested  with  a  view  to  the  obtaining  of 
information  as  to  the  whereabouts  of  Morgan,  who  was  then 
en  route  to  Gen.  Greene's  headquarters  with  the  prisoners 
captured  by  him  in  the  late  battle,  which  Cornwallis  was 
anxious  to  rescue.  Elder  Camp  however  was  ignorant  of 
the  route  taken  by  Morgan,  who  it  is  said  found  a  private 
passway  in  the  right  direction,  crossing  First  Broad  River 
at  Proctor's  Ford,  near  the  Present  Zion  church,  and  mov- 
ing rapidly  in  the  direction  of  Greene's  headquarters,  then 
at  Hillsboro,  jST.  C. ;  he  was  thereby  enabled  to  elude  the 
British  forces  who  were  endeavoring  to  intercept  him.  The 
attempt  of  Cornwallis  proving  a  failure,  and  Elder  Camp 
being  a  non-combatant,  was  soon  afterward  set  at  liberty 
again,  to  attend  to  his   ministerial  and  medical  duties,  for 


278  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

it  is  said  that  he  rendered  a  great  deal  of  service  to  the 
surrounding  community  as  a  physician  or  meuical  man  as 
well. 

Elder  Camp  was  a  member  of  the  Association  held  at 
Green's  Creek  church  in  180],  as  appears  from  the  publish- 
ed Minutes  of  that  session,  being  the  first  meeting  of  the 
body  after  its  organization  ;  and  it  appears  minuted  that 
he  with  Elders  Thomas  Burgess  and  John  Blackwell  were 
appointed  "to  labor  ministerially  with  the  church  at  Cedar 
Springs,"  which  at  that  time  appears  to  have  been  "mis- 
sionary ground,'"'  notwithstanding  it  is  now  oue  of  the  most 
intelligent  and  pious  churches  in  the  bounds  of  the  Broad 
River  Association,  and  can  point  to  such  names  as  the 
Barnetts,  Lancasters,  Coopers,TTnderwoods,  Finchs,Walkersr 
etc.,  etc.,  which  will  compare  favorably  with  the  member- 
ship of  any  of  the  churches  in  the  Association,  and  is  one 
among  many  other  proofs  of  the  power  and  efficacy  of  the 
Gospel. 

Elder  Camp  in  1802  prepared  a  circular  letter,  under 
the  order  of  the  Association,  on  the  Duties  and  Obligations 
of  Matrimony.  And  in  1804  he  prepared  another  on  Church 
Discipline.  He  is  said,  to  have  been  an  able  preacher  for  his 
day  and  time,  but  had  only  a  limited  education.  He  lived 
near  the  dividing  line  between  the  Carolinas,  and  his  old 
bomestead  now  belongs  to  II.  F.  Ramsour,  Esq. ,  a  worthy 
deacon  of  Buffalo  church.  About  the  year  1808  he  emi- 
grated to  Kentucky  while  pretty  far  advanced  in  life,  and 
probably  died  there,  but  at  what  period  of  time  we  are  not 
aware,  tie  had  a  son  (John  Camp)  who  became  a  preacher, 
and  paid  his  Carolina  relatives  a  visit  some  time  after  the 
demise  of  his  father,  and  preached  very  acceptably  to  some 
of  the  churches  who  once  took  so  much  pleasure  in  listening 
to  the  sermon's  of  his  ancestor.  Elder  Camp  was  respecta- 
bly connected,  and  has  numerous  relatives  in  Spartanburg 
county,  S.  C,  and  in  Cleveland  and  Rutherford  coun- 
ties, 3ST.  C.  

Carlton,  Elder  Ambrose  was  a  worthy  member  of  the 
Smyrna  church,  in  Burke  county,  JNr.  C.  Was  one  of  the 
early  pioneer  ministers  of  the  Broad  River  Association,  and 
was  a  delegate  in  1801.  At  the  session  of  1804  he  was  the 
preacher  of  the  introductory  sermon  at  Concord  church,  and 
in  1807  he  prepared  the  circular  letter  on  the  Duties  of  Dea- 
cons. In  1814  the  old  veteran  again  preached  the  introduc- 
tory discourse  before  the  session  at  Goucher  Creek  church, 
and  prepared  the  circular  letter  to  the  churches,  on  the  Gifts 
and  Qualifications  of  a  Gospel  Minister.  At  the  sessions  of 
1805,  1808  and  1815  he  was  chosen  to  preside  as  Moderator 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  ,    .     279 

over  the  deliberations  of  the  Association,  and  at  the  session 
of  1816  he  attended  the  session  of  the  body  at  Sandy  Run 
church,  where  its  first  session  was  held  in  1800;  and  being 
well  assured  that  he  had  arrived  at  the  period  of  life  when 
"the  keepers  of  the  house  shall  tremble,  and  the  strong  men 
shall  bow  themselves,  and  the  grinders  cease  because  thev 
are  few,  and  those  that  look  out  of  the  windows  be  darkened, 
and  the  doors  shall  be  shut  in  the  streets,  when  the  sound  of 
the  grinding  is  low,  and  he  shall  rise  up  at  the  voice  of  the 
bird,  and  all  the  daughters  of  music  shall  be  brought  low  ; 
also  when  they  shall  be  afraid  of  that  which  is  high,  and 
fears  shall  be  in  the  way,  and  the  almond  tree  shall  flourish, 
and  the  grasshopper  shall  be  a  burden,  and  desire  shall  fail 
because  man  goeth  to  his  long  home."  He  affectionately 
took  a  final  adieu  of  the  Association,  "to  meet  no  more  in 
time."  We  do  not  find  any  notice  of  the  demise  of  Elder 
Carlton  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Broad  River  Association ;  he 
probably  survived  the  formation  of  the  Catawba  River  body, 
which  took  place  in  1828,  and  it  would  include  Smyrna 
church,  which  held  his  membership.  He  had  the  reputatiou 
of  being  an  able  preacher  and  exemplary  christian. 


Cantrell,  Elder  Isaac  was  a  member  of  Buck  Creek 
church,  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C,  and  was  chosen  a  dele- 
gate to  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1801.  We  are  unable 
to  find  that  he  ever  distinguished  himself  in  any  way  as  a 
Baptist  minister ;  he  was,  however,  one  of  the  Broad  River 
pioneer  preachers,  and  was  doubtless  in  the  organization  of 
the  Association.  As  we  find  no  mention  of  him  subsequently 
he  mav  have  emigrated  or  died  soon  after.  Let  his  name  be 
preserved  and  handed  down  to  his  descendants  and  the  Bap- 
tist family,  of  which  he  was  certainly  an  honorable  member. 


Crocker,  Elder  Jacob  was  a  native  of  Wake  county, 
and  was  born  near  the  city  of  Raleigh,  N".  C.,date  unknown. 
He  was  one  of  the  old  Broad  River  pioneer  preachers,  and 
became  a  member  first  of  State  Line,  then  of  El  Bethel,  and 
last  of  Pacolet  church,  in  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  He 
became  a  prominent  minister  of  the  Association,  and  was 
twice  chosen  to  preside  over  the  deliberations  of  the  body 
in  the  sessions  of  1807  and  1819.  In  1805  at  French  Broad 
church  he  preached  the  introductory  sermon,  and  again  in 
1819  he  performed  the  same  service  at  Head  of  Tyger  River. 
In  the  session  of  1823  he  prepared  the  circular  letter  address- 
ed to  the  churches,  on  the  manner  in  which  a  church  of  Christ 
should  proceed  in  calling  a  pastor  or  supply.  Soon  after  this  he 
emigrated  to  Pickens  count}7,  Alabama,  and  died,  having  at- 
tained to  a  good  old  age.     The  following  is  the  circular  let- 


280  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

ter  referred  to  above,    which  we  reproduce,  because  of  its 
age  and  quaintness  of  style  : 

CIRCULAR   LETTER. 

The  willingness  with  which  you  have  received  our  former  letters, 
and  the  satisfaction  which  you  have  expressed  in  what  was  contain- 
ed in  them,  together  with  a  desire  for  your  peace  and  happiness  and 
the  glory  of  God,  are  the  motives,  we  trust,  which  induce  us  to 
address  you  once  more. 

We  have  felt  ourselves  at  some  loss  for  a  subject,  as  almost  every 
subject  that  could  give  information  has  already  been  touched  on ; 
nevertheless  we,  as  your  council,  feel  ourselves  bound  to  give  you  all 
the  information  and  instruction  that  we  are  able  to  do.  We  shall 
address  you  this  year  on  the  manner  in  which  a  church  of  Christ 
should  proceed  in  calling  a  pastor  or  supply.  Secondly,  shall  say  a 
few  things  relative  to  the  ministers'  qualifications.  And  thirdly, 
the  ministers'  duty  to  the  church.  Fourthly,  the  church's  duty  to 
their  pastor  or  supply.  It  will  be  necessary  to  say  something  re- 
specting achurch,  and  what  we  are  to  understand  by  the  word  church. 
A  church  is  a  distinct  and  separate  body,  called  out  of  the  world  by 
Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  saved  us  and  called  us  with  an  holy  calling 
(2  Tim.  i.  9 ;)  and  professing  faith  in  Christ  have  given  themselves 
to  the  Lord,  and  to  one  another,  by  the  will  of  God  ;  to  be  governed 
by  a  proper  discipline,  agreeable  to  the  Word  of  God.  Some  of  the 
passages  relative  thereto  we  find  in  Phil.  i.  2.  "The  church  in  thine 
house."  Acts  vii.  1.  Church  at  Jerusalem,  at  Antioch,  at  Rome, 
Corinth,  Philadelphia,  Ephesus,  Smyrna,  &c. 

As  God  has  been  pleased  to  bless  His  people  in  the  manner  above 
described,  we  have  no  reason  to  doubt  but  that  He  will  still  afford 
them  everything  that  shall  be  for  their  good  and  for  His  glory  while 
on  earth.  A  church  of  Christ  being  destitute  of  a  pastor  should,  in 
the  first  place,  be  sensible  of  their  destitute  condition,  and  should 
remember  that  God  has  promised  to  hear  their  prayers  and  grant  all 
their  laudable  requests  ;  they  should  converse  freely  together  with 
a  desire  that  God  would  direct  them  in  the  right  way,  not  forgetting 
His  promise  that,  "whatsoever  they  shall  ask  in  Christ's  name,  He 
will  give  it."  John  xv.  16.  Again,  "ask  and  ye  shall  receive.  John 
xvi.  24. 

A  church  should  be  unanimous  in  their  choice  of  a  minister,  and 
should  in  some  degree  know  the  minds  of  the  congregation  in  gen- 
eral, that  their  choice  may  be  a  blessing  to  those  who  are  without. 
1  Tim.  iii.  7.  When  the  mind  of  the  church  is  made  up,  of  course  it 
centres  on  one  preacher  (not  on  two  or  three;)  then  the  church 
should  make  known  their  proceedings  to  the  preacher,  giving  him 
a  call,  and  at  the  same  time  requesting  the  church  having  his  mem- 
bership to  give  him  up.  When  these  measures  are  taken  by  a  church, 
and  no  striving  one  against  the  other — but  all  engaged  in  prayer — 
there  is  no  reason  to  doubt  but  that  God  will  give  the  preacher 
selected  a  proper  weight  of  that  people,  and  they  will  come  together 
and  be  made  a  blessing  to  each  other — although  at  the  same  time 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  281 

this  church  may  have  a  preacher  among  them;  yet  they  are  not 
bound  to  have  him  as  their  pastor  if  he  is  not  their  choice.  Churches 
too  often  ordain  preachers  for  others  that  they  would  not  be  willing 
to  have  themselves,  which  cannot  be  very  prudent  on  their  part. 

Agreeable  to  our  promise  in  the  method  first  proposed,  we  shall 
in  the  second  place  say  something  relative  to  the  call  and  qualifica- 
tions of  a  minister  of  the  Gospel.  From  the  information  we  have 
received  from  the  Word  of  God,  we  have  no  right  to  believe  that 
God  sends  unconverted  men  to  preach  the  Gospel.  A  man  must  be 
a  christian  before  he  can  properly  be  a  Gospel  minister ;  he  must 
receive  that  call  which  Paul  speaks  of,  2  Tim.*  i.  9.  "who  hath  saved 
and  called  us  with  an  holy  calling;"  he  must  receive  that  faith 
which  the  Scriptures  say  is  the  gift  of  God.  Eph.  ii.  8.  He  must 
then  receive  an  inward  and  special  call  from  God,  as  was  Aaron. 
Heb.  v.  4.  He  must  feel  it  impressed  on  his  mind  that  a  dispensation 
of  the  Gospel  is  committed  unto  him,  and  must  feel  something  of 
the  weight  of  that  woe  pronounced  against  all  those  who  refuse  to 
preach  when  God  calls.  He  must  have  correct  ideas  of  the  plan  of 
salvation  through  Christ.  We  think  that  a  man  with  the  above 
qualifications  is  one  that  God  intends  shall  preach  the  Gospel,  We 
are  far  from  believing  that  God  has  sent  all  who  bear  the  name  of 
preachers.  We  see  some  who,  if  they  have  any  correct  views  of 
Bible  doctrine,  have  no  gift  to  communicate  it  to  others;  so  that 
their  attempts  to  preach  are  not  acceptable  to  christians  or  sinners. 
We  believe  with  Mr.  Benedict  in  his  history  of  the  Baptists,  where- 
in he  says,  "Churches  are  unfaithful  with  their  members  where  a 
member  would  come  forward  under  a  notion  that  he  was  called  to 
preach,  after  proving  him  until  all  were  satisfied  that  he  had  no 
gift  to  preach,  but  rather  than  hurt  his  feelings  they  would  set  him 
forward."  Some  of  us  have  seen  something  of  the  like  nature,  and 
also  heard  some  give  their  reasons  for  ordaining  one  that  had  not 
the  gift  of  preaching ;  one  would  say  that  he  believed  he  was  a  chris- 
tian ;  another  would  say  he  is  a  very  orderly  man,  and  another  or 
third  would  say  that  he  is  sound  in  the  faith;  while  a  fourth  would 
say  he  is  pious,  and  certainly  mean's  well.  Every  christian  should 
have  all  these  qualifications.  But  we  ask,  if  these  alone  constitute 
a  Gospel  minister  ?  By  no  means.  Some  men  are  so  anxious  to 
preach,  and  so  full  of  self-confidence,  and  not  willing  that  any  one 
should  judge  of  their  gifts  but  themselves,  that  they  will  continually 
be  urging  the  church  for  license.  When  they  succeed  in  this  the 
next  thing  is  ordination — continually  complaining  of  their  cramps. 
When  they  obtain  this  the  next  thing  is  the  care  of  churches,  and 
if  the  church  to  which  they  belong,  or  any  other  near  them  calls  a 
pastor,  they  are  affronted,  because  it  was  not  themselves.  A  church 
should  not  be  too  hasty  in  ordaining  preachers.  Although  they 
may  have  a  promising  gift,  Paul  says  "lay  hands  suddenly  on  no 
man."  Tim.  v.  22.  We  have  seen  some  of  the  bad  effects  of  such 
hasty  proceedings  in  churches.  Some  preachers  think  that  when 
they  are  ordained  they  are  equal  with  the  Apostle  Paul,  for  they 


282         '  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

break  through  the  common  rules  of  churches  in  running  into  the 
limits  of  others— opening  a  door,  receiving  and  baptizing  members 
without  the  approbation  of  the  church.  If  you  labor  with  them  as 
to  the  propriety  of  so  doing,  they  will  tell  you  that  Paul  did  so. 
Some  need  bits  in  their  mouth  to  hold  them  back,  whilst  others 
need  a  spur  to  push  them  forward ;  and  it  is  something  of  conse- 
quence for  churches  to  know  when  to  use  these  implements. 

Thirdly,  the  pastor's  duty  to  his  flock.  He  should  remember 
that  God  has  committed  to  him  a  great  charge  ;  he  should  consider 
himself  on  Zion's  wall,  and  that  the  Lord  has  set  him  thereto  watch 
for  souls  and  feed  the  flock  of  God ;  taking  the  oversight  (1  Pet.  v.  2,) 
to  speak  the  things  which  become  sound  doctrine  (Tit.  ii.  1,)  and 
study  to  show  himself  approved  unto  God.  1  Tim.  ii.  15.  He  should 
make  himself  acquainted  with  that  discipline  which  Christ  has 
established,  that  he  may  under  God  afford  the  church  every  needful 
information  ;  he  should  pray  to  God  to  enable  him  to  make  use  of 
arguments  that  might  prove  effectual  in  bringing  sinners  to  Christ ; 
he  should  consider  himself  the  servant  of  the  church  (2  Cor.  iv.  5  ;) 
he  should  attend  their  stated  meetings  ;  in  a  word,  he  should  be 
ready  to  serve  the  people  of  his  charge  as  far  as  he  is  able. 

We  now  come  to  the  fourth  and  last  thing  promised,  which  was 
to  say  something  relative  to  the  duties  of  the  church  to  their  pastori 
First,  thay  should  stand  by  him  in  all  of  his  difficulties,  bear  up  his 
hands  by  their  prayers;  they  should  know  those  who  labor  among 
them,  and  are  over  them  in  the  Lord,  and  esteem  such  very  highly 
in  love  for  their  work's  sake  (1  Thes.  v.  12,  13,)  and  should  follow 
him  as  he  follows  Christ.  And  as  he  sows  to  them  in  spiritual  things 
he  should  reap  of  their  carnal  things  (1  Cor.  ix.  11,)  which,  with  a 
number  of  other  passages,  prove  that  it  is  the  church's  duty  to  sup- 
port their  minister.  But  this  with  many  other  duties  are  too  much 
neglected.  Some  people  appear  to  think  that  preachers  and  their 
families  can  live  on  the  empty  air.  Few  are  acquainted  with  the 
disadvantages  and  hardships  that  ministers  and  their  families,  labor 
under.  Some  members  never  contribute  anything — not  even  for  the 
Lord's  table — which  is  no  doubt,  owing  to  deacons  neglecting  their 
duty.  But  as  our  limits  admonish  us,  we  shall  conclude,  beseeching 
you,  brethren,  to  remember  your  Lord  and  Master's  words  :  "If  ye 
love  me,  keep  my  commandments."  John  xiv.  15.  Again,  "Be 
watchful,  and  strengthen  the  things  that  remain  that  are  ready  to 
die;  for  I  have  not  found  thy  works  perfect  before  God.    Rev.  iii.  2. 

jSTow  may  the  Lord  strengthen,  uphold,  and  help  you  to  watch 
and  pray  always,  live  in  love  and  peace,  and  the  God  of  love  and 
peace  shall  be  with  you.    Farewell.  Jacob  Crocker. 

October  17th,  1823. 


Cansler,  Elder  Alexander  Jacob  was  born  May  26th, 
1825,  in  Lincoln  county,  JST.  C,  was  a  son  of  Henry  Cansler- 
Esquire,  who  had  formerly  been    sheriff  of  Lincoln    county 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  283 

and  several  times  a  representative  of  the  county  in  the  State 
legislature.  The  son  was  prepared  for  college  at  Lincolnton, 
and  graduated  from  the  University  of  the  State  in  the  class 
of  1847.  He  was  intended  by  his  father  for  the  law,  but  in 
the  providence  of  God  was  put  under  a  good  influence  by 
the  marriage,  on  Sept.  7th,  1847,  of  Miss  Mary  Ann  Martin 
of  Wilkes  county,  an  amiable  and  accomplished  lady  and 
devoted  christian.  Suffice  to  say  he  was  converted,  and 
baptized  by  Elder  Wade  Hill,  whom  he  afterwards  recog- 
nized as  his  father  in  the  G-ospel.  He  joined  the  Baptist 
church  of  Christ  at  Salem  near  Lincolnton,  and  was  appoint- 
ed by  said  church  a  delegate  to  the  session  of  the  B road 
River  Association,  which  convened  at  Buck  Creek  church, 
in  1850.  He  was  then  a  layman,  but  was  licensed  to  preach 
previous  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  Association,  and  repre- 
sented the  Salem  church  as  a  licentiate;  and  was  continuously 
a  delegate  until  he  joined  the  King's  Mountain  Association 
in  1856.  In  that  year  he  was  appointed  to  write  a  circular 
letter  to  the  churches  in  union  uon  the  design  of  the  Lord's 
Sapper  and  the  rightful  recipients  thereof '."  Which  was  read 
before  the  next  session  of  the  King's  Mountain  body  and 
adopted.  The  letter  is  a  very  elaborate  and  comprehensive 
document  and  worthy  of  presevation. 

Elder  Cansler  was  an  able  expositor,  and  good  preacher. 
Was  a  man  of  considerable*  bulk — inclining  somewhat  to 
corpulency — like  all  such,  he  possessed  a  great  deal  of  hu- 
mor, and  none  seemed  to  enjoy  with  greater  zest  the  hearty 
laugh,  and  usual  hilarities  peculiar  to  the  annual  meetings 
of  the  association,  which  was  generally  recognized  as  a  pleas- 
ant reunion  of  the  brethren  of  the  different  churches. 

Elder  Cansler  was  of  German  descent, .  and  like  many 
of  his  ancestry  of  the  "Fader  land,"  he  indulged  too  freely 
in  the  luxuries  of  the  pipe.  We  think  that  ministers  should 
be  "ensamples  to  the  flock"  in  all  good  things,  and  be  care- 
ful not  to  set  bad  examples,  for  greater  the  man  greater  the 
precedent.  And  we  know  that  the  excessive  use  of  tobacco 
is  an  evil. 

After  publishing  a  newspaper  in  Shelby  for  a  time,  El- 
der Cansler  removed  to  Arkansas,  and  died  there,  February 
24th,  1872.  His  diary  shows  that  he  baptized  three  thou- 
sand persons  during  his  ministry.  While  belonging  to  the 
Broad  River  Association  in  1853,  he  was  elected  clerk,  and 
in  1854,  was  appointed  to  write  a  circular  letter,  addressed 
to  theseveral  churches  in  union  on  the  Fellowship  of  Churches, 
which  letter  we  reproduce  as  follows: 

Dear  Brethren: — The   Almighty,  in  His  kind  providence,  has 
seen  fit  to  permit  us  to  assemble  in  an  associate  capacity  at  the  place 


284  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

appointed  ?it  our  last  annual  session  to  attend  to  the  business  that 
may  come  before  us,  which  should  be  done  with  an  eye  single  to  the 
glory  of  God.  Through  grace  our  heavenly  Father  has  seen  lit  to 
extend  to  us  a  liberal  share  of  His  blessings,  health  and  prosperity, 
and  above  all  a  glorious  hope  of  joy  and  peace,  for  which  let  us  ask 
for  hearts  of  gratitude  to  Him  from  whom  all  our  blessings  come. 

According  to  appointment  it  becomes  our  duty  to  call  your  atten- 
tion through  this,  our  annual  letter,  to  the  subject  of  the  Fellowship 
of  Churches.  A  christian  church,  viewed  as  an  organized  body,  is 
a  peculiar  institution.  The  character  of  its  members  and  the  princi- 
ples of  their  union — the  powers  and  mode  of  exercise — its  organiza- 
tion and  design — are  all  peculiar  to  itself — the  church  of  Christ. 

Every  organization  involves  certain  principles  on  which  its  ex- 
istence depends,  by  the  performance  of  which  it  becomes  an  inde- 
pendent body.  Governments  are  founded  on  principles  peculiar  to 
their  nature.  All  kinds  of  societies,  whether  formed  for  the  mutual 
improvement  of  each  other  in  science,  literature,  or  for  any  other 
purpose,  are  constituted  on  principles  peculiar  to  the  objects  in  view. 
So  is  the  church  of  God  Though  differing  from  ail  others,  yet  is 
constituted  on  the  principles  laid  down  in  the  word  of  God,  which 
are  peculiar  to  the  churches  of  God. 

The  English  word  Church  was  according  to  the  best  authority 
derived  from  "Huriakon,"  in  the  Greek  language,  which  signifies 
"belonging  to  the  Lord."  It  is  not  used  in  the  English  version  of 
the  Old  Testament,  but  often  in  the  New,  as  a  translation  of  the 
Greek  word  "ecclesia," — the  primary  meaning  is  an  assembly  or  a 
congregation,  called  together  for  any  purpose.  By  examination  you 
will  find  that  this  word  occurs  three  times  in  Acts  xix.,  where  it  is 
used  to  designate  the  tumultuous  gatherings  at  Ephesus,  and  is 
translated  assembly.  In  Acts  vii,  38  it  is  rendered  by  the  word 
church,  where  it  clearly  refers  to  the  whole  body  of  the  Israelites. 
With  these  and  a  few  others,  "ecclesia"  is  uniformly  translated 
church  in  the  New  Testament.  The  prevailing  use  of  the  word  is 
to  denote  a  company  of  christians.  In  a  few  instances  it  is  used  to 
include  all  believers.  As  we  have  shown  the  primary  meaning  of 
'ecclesia"  is  church,  a  select  assembly  or  congregation,  being  in  its 
nature  limited  to  a -local  company  is,  in  the  New  Testament,  the 
distinguishing  term  applied  to  a  company  of  believers  in  Christ. 

As  it  has  been  shown  that  the  word  church   is  an  assembly  of 

believers  in  Christ,  we  might  here  add  baptized  (immersed)  believers, 

and  as  such  we  recognize  nothing  but  the  Old  and  New  Testaments 

as  a  rule  of  our  faith  and  practice.    The   instructions  of  our  Savior 

and  His  Apostles,  illustrated  by  the  practice  of  the  apostolic  churches, 

as  recorded  in  the  New  Testament,  comprise  the  standing  law — the 

rule — and  the  authoritative  examples  to   christians,  ministers  and 

churches,  through  all  subsequent  ages.     The  churches  formed  under 

the, ministry  of  the  Apostles  are  the  models  after  which  all  others 
should  be  formed. 

True  churches  are  composed  of  those  who  have  repented  of  their 
sins  and  found  peace  with  God,  and  have  been  baptized.     This  order 


1 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  285 

of  the  Gospel  is  a  matter  of  no  small  importance,  though  it  is  almost 
entirely  set  aside  by  the  presumed  superior  judgment  of  the  many 
Pedo-Baptist  Societies.  Christ,  our  blessed  Savior,  intended  that 
His  kingdom  should  be  a  spiritual  one,  and  in  order  that  He  might 
be  received  by  those  of  like  faith  when  He  came  on  earth,  God  sent 
John  the  Baptist  to  the  land  of  Judea  to  prepare  a  way  or  peojxle  for 
his  reception,  and  in  accordance  with  His  direction  He  came  crying, 
" Repent  ye,  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand;"  and  those  that  be- 
lieve or  confess  their  sins  were  baptized.  The  primitive  churches  were 
formed  of  believers  only.  The  three  thousand  persons  who,  on  the 
day  of  pentacost  gladly  received  the  Word,  became  disciples  of 
Christ — "continued  steadfastly  in  the  Apostles  doctrine  and  fellow- 
ship, and  in  breaking  of  bread  and  in  prayers,''  and  all  that  believed 
were  together.  "The  Lord  added  to  the  church  daily  such  as  should 
be  saved."  The  churches  are  always  addressed  by  the  Apostles  as 
composed  of  saints  only.  "Paul  unto  the  church  of  God  which  is  at 
Corinth,  to  them  that  are  sanctified  in  Christ  Jesus,  called  to  be 
saints."  Similar  addresses  were  made  to  the  saints  at  Phillipi ;  unto 
the  church  of  the  Thessalonians  by  Peter,  in  his  general  epistles  ;  by 
James,  and  many  others.  Our  Savior  warned  His  ministers  and 
His  people  not  to  receive  into  church"  membership  nor  to  the  privi- 
leges and  ordinances  of  His  house  unsanctified  persons,  who  live 
devotedly  to  worldly  appetites.  "Give  not  that  which  is  holy  to 
dogs,  neither  cast  ye  your  pearls  before  swine,  lest  they  trample 
them  under  their  feet,  and  turn  again  and  rend  you."  The  history 
of  all  bodies  who  have  violated  this,  prove  that  such  warning  is 
needed.  Baptized  unbelievers  are  aptly  compared  to  dogs  and  swine: 
they  have  not  only  trampled  church  privileges  under  their  feet,  but 
have  rent  asunder  the  people  of  God  more  than  all  the  unbaptized 
infidels  and  pagans  together. 

They  are  not  only  to  be  believers,  but  they  are  to  be  baptized  be- 
lievers, as  a  pledge  of  their  faith  in  Christ — as  a  symbol  of  their  spir- 
itual change— previous  to  their  becoming  members  of  the  church. 
The  proof  on  this  point  is  so  abundant  and  plain  that  those  who 
earnestlyseek  to  find  out  their  duty  will  be  led  to  follow  their  Savior 
in  the  liquid  grave. 

A  church  composed  of  baptized  believers,  who  have  been  regu- 
larly constituted  with  the  proper  officers,  are  fully  prepared  to  dis- 
charge the  duties  enjoined  upon  it.  The  officers,  like  the  ordinances 
of  the  Gospel,  are  plain  and  few  ;  there  are  but  two— a  minister  or 
Ushop,  and  deacon  ;  and  no  church  is  properly  in  order  until  equip- 
ped with  officers ;  and  the  duties  of  each  of  these  officers  is  plainly 
pointed  out  and  laid  down  within  the  lids  of  the  New  Testament. 
Though  a  church  may  be  composed  of  believers,  and  have  the  proper 
officers,  yet  they  may  be  very  far  from  being  entitled  to  the  name 
of  an  apostolic  church  ;  for  they  may  be  unsound  in  doctrine,  which 
is  altogether  essential.  The  Baptist  church  at  this  time  is  entirely 
too  much  divided  on  doctrine.  Some  of  our  brethren  have  stopped 
Zion's  progress  by  their  iron-hearted  notions  of  Anti-Nomianism, 
whilst   others  have  fallen   into  the  loose  notions  of  Arminianism. 


286'  BIOGKAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Upon  these  points  our  officers,  especially  deacons,  should  be  well 
versed,  in  order  that  they  may  keep  the  church  clear  of  these  as  well 
as  all  other  unsound  doctrines  and  practices.  A  church  composed 
of  believers,  all  guided  by  the  same  spirit,  all  looking  for  the  same 
reward,  all  standing  in  their  proper  places  around  the  camps  of 
Israel,  is  the  most  delightful  sight  the  eye  of  man  ever  beheld  ;  truly 
it  is  "a  quiet  habitation." 

Having  seen  that  each  church  is  formed  of  believers,  whose 
rights  are  equal  by  a  voluntary  compact,  in  virtue  of  which  they 
were  endowed  with  equal  power,  that  one  church  is  neither  superior 
nor  inferior  to  another  in  power  and  authority,  as  all  the  authority 
comes  directly  from  the  Savior,  and  not  from  or  through  any  church 
or  churches  ;  each*  body  is  separately  accountable  to  Him  for  the  use 
or  abuse  of  power.  A  suitable  number  of  disciples  for  a  good  cause, 
and  in  proper  order,  may  form  themselves  into  a  church  by  mutual 
covenant,  and  exercise  properly  the  highest  ecclesiastical  power, 
without  being  connected  with  or  dependent  upon  any  other  church. 

It  is  sometimes  supposed  that  an  association  of  churches  by  their 
representatives  in  an  Association,  Synod,  Conference,  Presbytery  or 
Convention  has  more  power  than  an  individual  church  ;  but  instead 
of  this,  they  have  no  church  power  at  all.  They  have  no  right  to 
receive  or  expel  a  single  member  from  any  church,  or  to  dictate  in 
the  least  degree  in  respect  to  the  doctrine,  discipline,  or  fellowship 
of  any  church.  An  Association,  Convention,  &c,  has  the  power  to 
say  who  shall  be  associated  with  them  in  their  deliberations,  but  no 
farther  can  they  go.  If  such  were  the  facts  it  would  deprive  the 
Baptist  church  of  the  boasted  principle  of  republicanism  ;  i.  e.,  all 
power  rests  with  the  people,  and  it  would  run  our  church  into  the 
parent  error  of  high  church  doctrines,  of  prelacy  and  Popery,  as  well 
as  every  other  form  of  ecclesiastical  intolerance,  with  all  its  train  of 
evils.  The  real  bond  of  union  in  a  church  is  love.  It  was  love  that 
drew  the  members  together— it  is  love  that  holds  them  in  union. 
This  is  the  element  in  which  they  should  live  and  act  as  a  church. 
The  Savior  knew  full  well  the  principles  of  church  order,  and  gov- 
ernment could  not  be  carried  into  practice  without  love,  and  that 
directed  by  knowledge  ;  nor  any  other  church  form  of  government ; 
indeed,  without  love  there  is  no  church  at  all.  When  He  was  in  the 
act  of  departing  from  His  disciples,  who  were  at  an  early  period  to 
be  formed  into  a  church  without  His  visible  presence,  He  remarked 
to  them,  •'This  is  my  commandment,  that  ye  love  one  another."  St. 
Paul,  to  the  church  at  Corinth,  said:  "Let  all  things  be  done  in 
charity."     "Let  brotherly  love  continue." 

There  is  therefore  no  necessary  bond  of  union  between  individ- 
ual members,  nor  between  different  churches,  but  fraternal  love.  In 
the  exercise  of  this  grace  it  was  customary  for  primitive  churches  to 
assist  each  other  by  pecuniary  aid — by  furnishing  teachers,  and  by 
advice  in  difficulty.  The  modern  plan  of  forming  associations,  of 
churches,  for  cultivation  of  acquaintance  and  mutual  love,  and  for 
more  unity  of  effort  in  the  cause  of  human  salvation,  while  the  inde- 
pendence of  each  church  is  recognized.     It  is  in  perfect  accordance 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  £87 

with  this  principle,  and  is  of  obvious  utility.  The  only  object  our 
•church  could  seek  any  form  of  union  with  others,  is  that  of  doing 
them  good,  or,  in  connection  with  them,  doing  good  to  the  world — 
in  design,  in  spirit,  in  doctrine,  in  love,  in  their  purposes  and  de- 
sires ;  the  different  churches  are  one — in  visible  organization,  many. 
And  therefore  what  is  injurious  to  one,  is  to  all.  The  co-operations 
mentioned  in  Scripture  are : 

1st.  Sending  spiritual  teachers  to  assist  each  other.  Such  were 
sent  by  the  church  in  Jerusalem  to  the  church  at  Antioch.  Acts  xi. 
27  ;  xviii.  26. 

2nd.  To  administer  to  each  other's  temporal  necessities.  1  Cor. 
xvi,  1—3  ;  Rom.  xv.  26. 

3rd.  Affording  each  other  advice  and  assistance  in  cases  of  divis- 
ions and  contentions,  by  which  the  quiet  of  the  church  is  aroused 
•and  its  prosperity  endangered.  An  example  of  this  kind  is  recorded 
in  Acts  xv.  in  regard  to  a  very  important  question  of  doctrine  and 
discipline.  . 

4th.  In  the  spread  of  the  Gospel,  this  is  one  of  the  principal  ob- 
jects of  the  church  militant,  and  as  churches  are  generally  unable 
to  carry  on  the  work  separately,  a  unity  of  action  is  necessary.  We 
find  that  the  church  at  Antioch  first  engaged  as  a  church  in  the 
work  (Acts  xiii.  2,  3,)  and  that  Paul  and  Barnabas,  as  well  as  others, 
received  their  support  in  part  from  other  churches.  2  Cor.  xi.  8  ;  xii- 
13 — 18 ;  Phil.  vi.  10 — 18.  Persecution  was  enraged  to  such  a  height 
against  the  primitive  churches  that  they  did  little  else  than  establish 
the  principle.  From  these  and  many  other  points  that  might  be 
brought  to  bear,  we  see  that  churches  sustain  to  each  other  most 
sacred  and  endearing  relations.  The  separate  independence  of 
churches  is  no  barrier  to  their  cordial  extension  and  useful  co-opera- 
tion, and  should  never  be  so  regarded  ;  but  on  the  contrary  is  an 
argument  in  favor  of  such  co-operation,  for  no  service  is  as  pleasant 
and  profitable  as  those  voluntarily  given.  So  that  were  ten  thousand 
churches  formed  on  these  principles,  to  act  consistently  with  their 
obvious  design,  they  would,  for  all  the  purposes  of  their  existence, 
be  as  truly  one  church  as  they  possibly  could  be,  if  consolidated  into 
one  organized  body  under  the  oversightof  a  bench  of  Prelates  or  Popes. 

May  the  blessings  of  Heaven  smile  upon  all  in  our  union.    May 
He  guide  us  into  a  proper  discharge  of  all  our  duties,   individually 
•and  collectively,  and  eventually  save  us  with  an  everlasting  salva- 
tion, is  the  prayer  of  your  unworthy  servant  A.  J.  Cansler. 
October  13th,  1854. 


Campbell,  Elder  Thomas  Jefferson  was  born  in  Am- 
herst county,  Virginia,  November  15th,  1821.  Moved  to 
North  Carolina,  and  was  converted  soon  after  and  baptized 
by  Elder  S.  Morgan,  in  1841.  In  1857  married  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth J.  Hicks,  nee  Elizabeth  J.  Simmons.  He  was  an  or- 
dained minister  and  delegate  from  Corinth  church,  of  the 
Broad   River  Association,   at  the  session  of  1850,  at  Buck 


288  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Creek  church,  and  served  in  that  capacity  several  sessions 
afterward.  He  is  now  a  member  of  Bethel  church,  of  the 
Kind's  Mountain  Association. 

Elder  Campbell  is  a  good  pious  brother,  and  although 
he  does  not  do  a  great  amount  of  ministerial  labor,  is  yet  an 
orthodox  and  useful  worker  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  He  is 
of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  red  haired,  and  of  small  stature,  and 
a  relative  of  the  celebrated  Col.  William  Campbell,  who  dis- 
tinguished himself  as  chief  in  command  at  the  battle  of 
Kind's  Mountain  in  1780. 


Carlton,  Elder  Thomas  was  a  native  of  Burke  county, 
N".  C ;  born  about  1802,  and  a  son  of  the  old  pioneer,  Am- 
brose Carlton,  who  figured  in  the  organization  of  the  Broad 
River  Association.  Thomas  Carlton  appears  to  have  been 
a  member  of  Smyrna  church,  as  had  his  father  been  before 
him.  He  is  minuted  as  having  been  a  lay  delegate  from 
Smyrna  in  the  sessions  of  the  Broad  River  of  1822-'23-'24- 
'25-'26.  In  1828  the  Catawba  River  Association  was  formed 
and  the  Smyrna  church  became  a  constituent  member,  which 
isolated  brother  Carlton  from  the  Broad  River  body.  After 
he  became  a  member  of  the  Catawba  River  he  was  ordained 
to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry,  and  since  the  organ- 
ization of  the  King's  Mountain  Association  he  has  several 
times  appeared  in  that  body  as  a  corresponding  messenger 
from  his  own  association,  and  has  preached  very  acceptably 
for  the  King's  Mountain.  Elder  Carlton  is  a  small  lame 
man,  and  moves  about  with  much  difficulty  on  crutches:  but 
as  a  preacher  he  ranks  high,  and  no  one  possesses  more  po- 
liteness, or  better  social  qualities.  "We  always  felt  glad  at 
the  coming  of  Brother  Carlton,  at  the  annual  sessions  of  the 
Association;  but  as  it  has  now  been  several  years  since  we 
have  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  his  face,  or  heard  any  thing 
from  him,  we  presume  he  has  crossed  over  the  river,  and  is 
uovv  basking  under  the  shade  of  the  trees  of  Paradise.  Hrf 
served  frequently  as  Moderator  of  the  Catawba  River  Asso- 
ciation. 


Carpenter,  Elder  Daniel  is  a  native  of  Lincoln,  (now 
Cleveland)  county,  N\  C.  Date  of  birth  unknown  to  writer. 
He  was  licensed  to  preach  in  1858,  and  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry  in  1859,  by  the  St.  John's  church,  and 
thereby  became  a  minister  of  the  King's  Mountain  Associa- 
tion. In  1832,  he  transferred  his  membership  to  New  Pros- 
pect church,  and  was  a  delegate  from  that  church  to  the  ses- 
sions of  the  Association  of  1862  and  1863.  He  has  since 
remove:!  within  the  bounds  of  the    Catawba  River  Associa- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  289 

tion,  and  is  now  a  member  of  that  body.  Elder  Carpenter 
is  a  well  meaning  man  of  moderate  preaching  talents. 
There's  a  work  for  all  to  do. 


Carter,  Elder  John  Gaston  was  born  in  Chester 
county,  S.  C.',  July  31st,  1822,  and  lived  in  said  county  until 
he  was  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  his  father  having  died 
in  1836.  His  mother  some  years  after  moved  to  Union 
county,  and  on  the  17th  of  September,  1840.  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  converted  to  God,  and  at  that  period  of  time, 
by  reason  of  having  had  no  school  opportunities,  he  was  un- 
able to  read  the  New  Testament.  He  was  at  the  time  living 
with  a  Methodist  family,  and  soon  after  joined  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  Not  being  able  to  read,  he  became  dis- 
satisfied, and  doubted  whether  he  had  been  baptized  accord- 
ing to  the  requirements  of  the  Scriptures.  He  had  never  as 
yet  attended  school,  but  had  acquired  a  knowledge  of  the 
alphabet  and  could  spell  a  little ;  he  became  a  laborious  stu- 
dent, and  began  to  try  to  put  words  together,  so  that  he 
could  read.  Having  made  this  much  progress,  and  yet  hav- 
ing no  school  opportunities,  he  procured  a  Bible,  and  when 
an  opportunity  was  afforded  him  would  go  to  a  silent  grove 
somewhere,  and  upon  his  knees  ask  God  to  assist  him  in  his 
efforts  to  learn  to  read,  and  also  to  understand  the  subject 
matter  of  his  lessons.  He  continued  thus  in  the  use  of 
such  means  as  he  had,  and  in  the  course  of  six  months 
he  read  (after  a  fashion)  the  entire  New  Testament.  Having 
done  this  he  became  satisfied  that  his  doubts  in  regard  to 
baptism  were  well  founded ;  that  anything  short  of  immer- 
sion was  a  mere  mockerv  or  substitute.  Viewing  matters  in 
this  light,  he  was  never  received  into  full  fellowship  in  the 
Methodist  church,  but  began  to  cast  about  for  a  more  suita- 
ble and  satisfactory  connection  with  a  different  sect  or  de- 
nomination of  christians,  and  for  reasons  satisfactory  to 
himself  he  was  soon  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Cane 
Creek  Baptist  church,  in  Union  county,  S.  C,  by  Elder  D. 
Duncan,  on  the  18th  July,  1842. 

Soon  after  he  joined  the  Baptist  church  he  began  to 
have  strong  impressions  of  mind  that  there  was  a  work 
for  him  to  do  in  calling  on  sinners  to  repent,  but  being 
illiterate  and  grossly  ignorant,  as  he  conceived  himself  then 
to  be,  he  ran  from  them  for  }^ears,  endeavoring  all  the  time 
to  dismiss  such  thoughts  from  his  mind. 

On  the  27th  of  April,  1846,  he  no  doubt,  through  the 
providence  of  God,  intermarried  with  Miss  Mary  C.  Page, 
of  Union  county,  S.  C,  a  lady  of  not  only  estimable  quali- 
ties of  head  and  heart,  but  possessing  a  good  English  edu- 
37 


290  BIOGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

cation.  As  a  matter  of  course  she  at  once  rendered  all  the 
service  she  could  in  giving  literary  instruction  to  her  hus- 
band, who  was  anxious  to  acquire  all  that  was  obtainable; 
and  as  the  good  work  of  literary  training  progressed,  the 
more  weighty  became  the  impressions  on  his  mind  to  preach 
the  Gospel.  He  however  still  resisted  these  impulses,  be- 
lieving the  work  to  be  of  such  magnitude  that  he  would 
make  an  utter  failure.  Time  after  time  he  was  afflicted, 
and  felt  the  rod  of  correction.  He  began  to  make  pledges 
and  promises,  which  he  invariably  broke,  until  the  Lord 
saw  fit  to  take  from  him  his  little  son,  the  idol  of  his  heart  -: 
then  it  Avas  that  he  felt  more  sensibly  the  stroke,  and  began 
to  think  of  Jonah's  disobedience.  In  the  silent  grove  upon 
his  knees  he  cried  from  the  depths  of  his  soul,  "Lord,  I  sur- 
render !  What  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  V  Then  and  there 
his  duty  was  made  plain  to  him,  and  he  made  known  to  the 
brotherhood  his  grief  of  mind  and  the  resolve  that  he  had 
made.  On  the  1st  December,  '60,  he  was  licensed  to  preach 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ,  and  the  next  year  supplied 
two  churches — Duckpen  and  Lower  Fair  Forest.  During 
the  vear  several  requests  were  sent  to  his  church  asking 
for  his  ordination,  which,  however,  he  opposed  vehemently, 
believing  that  he  ought  not  to  be  ordained.  Suffice  it  to  say, 
he  was  overruled,  and  a  presbytery  was  called  on  the  2d.  of 
August,  3  862,  consisting  of  deacons  from  Unionville,  Duck- 
pen,  Lower  Fair  Forest,  Hebron,  and  Neal's  Creek,  who, 
together  with  Elders  J.  G.  Kindrick  and  John  Gibbs,  pro- 
ceeded to  examine  aud  set  apart  Elder  Carter  to  the  regular 
work  of  the  ministry,  he  then  being  a  member  of  Unity 
church,  Union  county,  S.  C. 

For  fifteen  years  he  has  supplied  four  churches.  He 
served  as  missionary  one  year  under  the  direction  of  the  Ex- 
ecutive Board  of  the  Bethel  Association,  and  has  done  a  good 
deal  of  missionary  work  in  the  Broad  River  Association, 
having  become  a  member  of  that  body  in  1870,  then  one  of 
the  delegates  from  Goucher  Creek  church,  and  has  continued 
uninterruptedly  a  member  at  every  annual  session  since.  At 
the  sessions  of  1875-'76  and  '79  he  was  chosen  Moderator 
of  the  body,  which  we  take  as  evidence  of  his  good  standing 
in  the  Association. 

We  have  heard  Elder  Carter  preach  the  Gospel  several 
times,  and  feel  that  we  would  be  doing  him  injustice  were 
we  to  say  that  he  was  not  "a  workman  that  needeth  not  to 
be  ashamed  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  Truth,  and  giving 
to  each  hearer  his  portion  in  due  season." 

Bro.  Carter's  first  wife  died  July  18th,  186(3,  from  whom 
he  received  the  principal  part  of  his  scholastic  training,  never 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  291 

having  attended  school  longer  than  three  months  during  his 
life.     How  sad  to  think  of  the  loss  of  so  great  a  benefactor ! 
On  the  26th  November,  1868,  he  married  Miss  Lucinda 
Briant,  with  whom  he  now  lives  in  tender  affection. 

At  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association  of  1875 
Elder  Carter  was  appointed  to  write  the  Circular  Letter  to 
be  read  before  the  next  meeting,  and  as  he  made  choice  of 
the  Final  Perseverance  of  the  Saints,  as  a  subject,  we  have 
thought  proper  to  reproduce  the  letter  in  this  work,  which 
is  as  follows; 
To  the  Brethren  of  the  Broad  River  Association  : 

As  there  was  no  subject  assigned  me  by  your  body,  I  have  there- 
fore chosen  as  a  subject  for  the  annual  circular  letter,  the  Final  Per- 
severance of  the  Saints.  I  am  not  one  who  believes  that  every  act  of 
men  is  a  decree  of  God,  yet,  at  the  same  time,  I  believe  that  God  sees 
the  end  from  the  beginning.  This  subject  is  intimately  connected 
with  the  assurance  of  salvation,  for  if  true  believers  may  lose  their 
faith  and  totally  and  finally  fall,  there  can  be  no  such  thing  as  assu- 
rance of  salvation.  A  person  may  know  that  he  is  a  child  of  God, 
and  at  the  present  time  free  from  all  condemnation,  but  upon  this 
ground  he  cannot  possibly  be  assured  that  he  will  continue  in  this 
happy  state.  In  the  exercise  of  his  own  free  will  he  may  depart 
from  God,  renounce  Christ,  and  become  reprobate,  if  this  doctrine 
be  admitted  that  all  saints  are  liable  to  apostatize,  and  that  there  is 
no  such  thing  promised  as  the  grace  of  perseverance.  Then  Paul's 
declaration,  in  which  he  expresses  the  fullest  confidence  that  he 
should  possess  a  crown  of  life,  must  be  understood  conditionally, 
provided  he  should  persevere  unto  the  end.  And  in  the  same  man- 
ner we  must  construe  those  triumphant  expressions  at  the  end  of  the 
viii.  chapter  of  Paul's  Epistle  to  the  Romans  :  "For  I  am  persuaded 
that  neither  life  nor  death,  nor  angels,  nor  principalities,  nor  pow- 
ers, nor  things  present,  nor  things  to  come,  nor  height,  nor  depth, 
nor  any  other  creature  shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of 
God,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord." 

According  to  this  theory  we  must  understand  the  A  postle  to 
mean  that  if  he  continued  in  faith,  none  of  these  things  would  be 
able  to  separate  him  from  the  love  of  God,  which  was  in  Christ  Jesus. 
But  who  knows  whether  Paul  did  persevere  to  the  end  ?  Who 
knows  but  what  his  faith  failed  in  the  last  extremity  ?  We  have 
no  account  in  the  New  Testament  of  the  circumstances  of  his  death. 
If  the  standing  of  believers  depends  on  themselves,  it  would  not  be 
-  surprising  that  any  one  should  be  overcome  by  temptation,  and 
should  finally  fall  from  a  state  of  grace.  It  is  possible  then  that  all 
the  apostles  might  have  fallen  away  in  time  of  persecution ;  for 
although  Christ  promised  to  go  and  prepare  a  place  for  them,  and 
that  they  should  sit  on  thrones,  yet  all  this  must  be  understood  on 
condition  that  they  persevere  to  the  end. 

Those  who  maintain  that  all  true  believers  will  persevere  to  the 
end,  do  not  ground  their  opinion  on  any  ability  which  any  of  them 


292  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

possess  within  themselves  to  stand  ;  but,  if  left  to  themselves,  they 
believe  that  all  of  them  would  be  sure  to  apostatize  and  lose  the  attii- 
bute  of  perseverance  in  grace,  as  they  do  the  conversion  ox  the  soul 
to  the  love  of  God.  They  believe  that  the  same  power  which  brings 
the  soul  from  death  to  life  is  able  to  preserve  it  in  life,  and  that  the 
gifts  and  callings  of  God  are  without  repentance — that  is,  without 
change  of  purpose. 

Again,  believers  are  intimately  and  spiritually  united  to  Christ, 
so  as  to  be  members  of  His  mystical  body,  and  as  by  virtue  of  this 
union  they  receive  continual  supplies  of  grace  and  strength  as  they 
need  these  blessings  ;  they  are  of  the  opinion  that  Christ,  the  Head, 
will  never  suffer  any  member  actually  united  to  Him  to  be  severed 
from  His  body  and  perish  forever.  Surely  the  Spirit  of  all  grace 
which  dwells  in  believers  is  sufficient  to  keep  up  that  spiritual  life 
which  God  has  generated  in  them,  and  is  also  able  to  keep  them  from 
the  danger  of  apostacy  ;  and  if  God  is  able  to  do  this,  He  will  do  it ; 
for  whom  He  loves,  He  loves  to  the  end.  Those  whose  names  were 
written  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life  before  the  foundation  of  the  world 
will  at  last  reach  heaven.  The  kingdom  which  the  saints  shall  in- 
herit was  prepared  for  them  from  the  foundation  of  the  world.  The 
Apostle  Paul  was  confident  that  he  who  had  begun  a  good  work 
among  the  Philipians  would  perform  it  until  the  day  of  Jesus  Christ. 
Can  it  be  believed  that  the  same  love  and  power  which  effectually 
call  believers  from  death  in  sin  will  not  preserve  them  in  a  state  of 
spiritual  life?  When  it  was  commenced,  in  the  days  of  the  Apostle, 
there  were  many  apostates,  but  John,  in  his  first  epistle,  clearly 
teaches  that  such  never  had  been  sincere  christians.  "They  went 
out  from  us,  but  they  were  notof  us  ;  but  they  went  out  that  it  might 
be  made  manifest  that  they  were  not  all  of  us."  And  the  Apostle 
Paul,  in  his  second  letter  to  Timothy,  treating  of  the  success  of  here- 
tics in  subverting  the  faith  of  some  and  seducing  them  to  embrace 
false  doctrines  will,  by  no  means,  agree  that  these  persons  or  their 
teachers,  who  were  thus  led  astray,  had  ever  belonged  to  the  foun- 
dation of  God,  or  were  among  His  approved  people.  For  he  says, 
"Nevertheless,  the  foundation  of  God  standeth  sure,  having  this 
seal,  the  Lord  knoweth  them  that  are  His. 

But  it  is  said  by  the  advocates  of  this  doctrine,  that  though 
God  wiil  not  forsake  His  people,  yet  they  may  forsake  Him.  and 
that  the  promises  are  made  to  the  people  of  God;  but  when  they 
cease  to  be  His  people  they  cut  themselves  off  from  the  blessings  of 
the  covenant  of  grace,  which  are  all  conditional  and  made  to  believ- 
ers. TNow  we  admit  that  if  any  should  cease  to  believe  they  would 
thus  be  cut  off;  but  what  we  maintain  is,  that  the  believers  in  faith 
shall  never  fail.  If  God  has  made  promises  to  this  effect,  then  they 
are  safe. 

Well,  we  know  that  He  did,  by  His  intercessions,  keep  Peter's 
faith  from  utterly  failing,  for  He  said,  "I  have  prayed  for  thee  that 
thy  faith  fail  not."  And  His  intercession  was  not  only  for  Peter  and 
the  Apostles,  but  for  all  who  should,  through  these,  believe  on  His 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  L93 

name.  And  in  Jer.  xxxii.  40,  we  And  a  promise  and  covenant  to 
which  God  engages  to  keep  His  people  from  falling  :  "Audi  will 
make  an  everlasting  covenant  with  them  that  I  will  not  turn  away 
from  them  to  do  them  good."  This  seems  to  be  a  very  full  promise 
and  covenant  in  all  things,  well  ordered  and  sure.  But  this  is  not 
■all :  He  immediately  adds,  "And  I  will  put  my  fear  in  their  hearts, 
that  they  shall  not  depart  from  me  ;"  and  this  seems  to  be  implied 
•when  He  promised,  "I  will  put  my  laws  in  their  minds  and  write 
them  in  their  hearts."  In  the  10th  chapter  of  our  Lord's  Gospel  by 
John,  He  speaks  of  Himself  as  the  "good  shepherd,"  and  He  gives 
«s  the  chief  characteristic  of  a  good  shepherd,  that  He  loves  the 
-sheep  ;  and  in  His  own  case  His  love  was  so  great  that  He  was  will- 
ing to  "lay  down  His  life  for  the  sheep  ;"  and  He  informs  us  that 
those  who  were  truly  of  the  number  of  His  sheep  would  "hear  His 
voice  and  follow  Him  ;"  while  a  stranger,  thev  would  not  follow. 
His  attention  to  them  as  their  shepherd  was  so  kind  and  compas- 
sionate that  He  calls  each  one  by  name,  and  goes  before  them  and 
leads  them  in  the  right  way.  From  this  description  it  might  be  in- 
ferred that  Christ  would  not  forsake  them  on  whom  He  had  set  His 
love,  and  that  He  never  would  suffer  His  enemy  to  carry  them  off. 
Those  persons  who  were  specially  the  purchase  of  His  blood  and  His 
dyingagonies  He  would  certainly  be  disposedto  save  from  perdition. 
There  can  be  no  doubt  of  the  desire  of  the  Great  Shepherd  that  these 
objects  of  His  love,  and  for  whom  He  had  paid  a  price  above  all  esti- 
mation, should  not  perish.  But  we  are  not  left  to  our  own  infer- 
ences on  this  subject:  our  blessed  Lord  has  anticipated  our  conclu- 
sions by  His  clear  and  positive  declarations,  and  His  gracious  Word 
should  never  be  forgotten  :  "My  sheep  hear  my  voice,  and  they 
know  me  and  follow  me,  and  I  give  to  them  eternal  life  and  they 
shall  never  perish  ;  neither  shall  any  man  pluck  them  out  of  my 
hands.  My  Father  which  gave  them  me  is  greater  than  all,  and  no 
man  is  able  to  pluck  them  out  of  my  Father's  hand." 

I  do  not  know  how  the  doctrine  of  the  saints'  perseverance  could 
!>e  expressed  in  stronger  language.  It  must  be  evident  that  if  God  is 
■a  I ile  to  keep  them  from  perishing,  they  will  be  saved.  Who  will 
dare  to  call  in  question  the  ability  of  Christ  and  His  Father  to  pre- 
serve whom  He  will,  from  apostolizing  ?  Surely  God  is  able  to  cause 
the  weakest  of  them  to  stand.  Suppose  the  contrary, — suppose  that 
one  of  these,  given  by  the  Father  to  His  only  begotten  Son,  to  be 
redeemed,  should  be  owned  by  Satan,  the  enemy  of  God  and  His 
people,  and  should  perish  eternally,  what  a  dishonor  to  God  !  And 
what  a  triumph  to  the  adversary  !  Shall  it  ever  be  said  in  the  world 
of  woe — here  is  one  of  the  beloved  of  God — one  especially  given  to 
the  Son — one  purchased  with  the  blood  of  Christ — one  raised  from 
the  death  of  sin  by  the  power  of  His  spirit — one  that  heard  His 
voice,  loved  and  followed  him  ?  Is  such  an  one  to  be  eternally  lost? 
Is  the  Savior  not  able  to  preserve  his  soul  from  falling  under  the 
j »ower  of  temptation  ?  Satan,  in  this  contest,  gained  the  victory,  and 
tore  away  one  of  Christ's  beloved  sheep,  dismembered  His  mystical 


294  BIOGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

body  !  for  this  soul  now  damned  was  once  a  member  of  the  body  of 
Christ!  Can  you  believe  this?  Does  not  this  argument  convince 
you  that  such  a  thing  as  this  can  never  occur  ? 

Again,  does  not  Christ  appear  in  heaven  as  the  advocate  of  His- 
people?  and  does  not  the  Father  hear  Him  always?  and  shall  not 
His  intercessions  be  effectual  to  obtain  persevering  grace  for  all  those- 
whose  cases  He  pleads  ?  For  He  is  able  to  save  unto  the  uttermost 
all  that  come  unto  God  by  Him,  seeing  that  He  ever  liveth  to  make- 
intercession  for  them.  It  is  the  continual  intercession  of  Christ 
which  preserves  His  disciples  from  falling  totally  and  finally.  Peter, 
in  self-confidence,  fell  into  an  error,  and  had  he  been  left  to  himself 
the  devil  would  have  triumphed  in  that  case.  The  Lord  meant  to- 
show  Peter  that  he,  left  to  himself,  was  nothing  but  Peter,  and  there 
was  no  confidence  to  be  put  in  the  flesh.  We  believe  that  Christ  in- 
tercedes for  believers  as  He  does  not  for  others.  We  learn  from  that 
remarkable  intercessory  prayer  which  He  offered  before  He  left  the 
world  :  "I  pray  not  for  the  world,  but  for  them  which  thou  hast 
given  me,  for  they  are  thine,  and  all  mine  are  thine,  and  thine  are 
mine,  and  I  am  glorified  in  them.  While  I  was  in  the  world  I  kept 
them  in  thy  name.  Those  that  thou  gavest  me  I  have  kept,  and 
none  of  them  are  lost  except  the  son  of  perdition." 

Those  who  oppose  this  doctrine  think  that  in  this  last  clause  the 
strength  of  the  argument  drawn  from  the  passage  is  destroyed,  and 
that  as  Judas  was  one  of  those  given  to  Christ  by  the  Father,  and  he 
perished,  therefore  all  believers  may  eternally  perish.  But  can  any 
impartial,  intelligent  christian  believe  that  Judas  was  really  included 
in  the  number  of  those  given  to  Christ  by  His  Father,  and  for  whom 
He  prayed  ?  This  construction  would  not  only  be  dishonorable  to 
Christ,  but  it  would  destroy  the  force  and  consistency  of  what  Christ 
uttered  in  this  remarkable  prayer.  If  Christ  prayed  not  for  the 
world,  how  came  He  to  pray  for  Judas,  who  was  a  thief  and  covet- 
ous from  the  time  of  his  first  becoming  an  apostle  ?  Christ  had  per- 
fect knowledge  of  his  hypocrisy,  and  if  He  specially  prayed  for  him 
as  He  did  for  the  other  disciples,  how  came  it  to  pass  that  this  prayer 
in  his  case  was  ineffectual?  And  if  His  special  intercession  may  be 
ineffectual,  what  solid  ground  have  we  to  trust  in  Him, and  why  was 
it  declared  that  "he  hears  him  always?"  It  is  hard  to  believe  that 
those  whose  names  were  written  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life  before 
the  foundation  of  the  world  shall  utterly  and  eternally  fall  away  and 
be  lost.  It  is  indeed  promised  to  the  saints  of  the  church  of  Sardis 
that  their  names  shall  not  be  blotted  out  of  the  book  of  life,  and  it 
is  reasonable  to  think  that  the  same  promise  is  applicable  to  all  true 
believers.  If  these  names  might  be  blotted  out,  there  would  be  no 
great  cause  of  rejoicing  that  they  were  "written  in  heaven."  But 
our  Lord  teaches  His  disciples  to  rejoice  in  this  above  all  things.  In 
Luke  x.  20,  it  is  said  that  "if  any  one  shall  take  away  from  the 
words  of  this  prophecy,  God  will  take  away  His  part  out  of  the  book 
of  life,  and  out  of  the  holy  city,  and  from  the  things  written  in  this 
Book."     In  Revelations  xxii.  19,  the  meaning  is  not  that  such  a  per- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  295 

:son  ever  had  ariy  part  in  this  Book,  but  that  he  never  shall  have  it. 
It  is  not  stated  that  the  names  of  such  persons  ever  were  written  in 
the  Book,  but  it  is  declared  that  it  is  a  privilege  of  which  they  never 
shall  partake. 

This  doctrine  has  been  opposed  on  the  principle  that  the  belief 
of  it  tends  to  breed  presumption  and  to  encourage  negligence  in 
"working  out  our  salvation.  We  do  not  deny  that  the  doctrine  has 
not  been  abused  by  unholy  men,  but  what  doctrine  may  not  be 
abused  ?  Certainly  none  more  than  the  love  and  mercy  of  God, 
In  answer  to  this  objection  we  would  say  that  our  doctrine  is  the 
perseverance  of  the  saints  in  faith  and  holiness.  Just  so  far  as  any 
professor  fails  in  the  exercise  of  faith  and  practice,  he  loses  the  evi- 
dence that  he  is  a  true  christian.  According  to  this  view  of  the 
subject  he  never  can  persuade  himself  that  he  will  persevere  unless 
he  is  in  the  exercise  of  grace,  without  which  he  cannot  possess  the 
evidence  of  being  a  true  believer. 

It  is  acknowledged  that  there  are' some  texts  of  Scripture  which, 
viewed  separately,  seem  to  teach  that  true  believers  may  fall  from  a 
state  of  grace.  But  the  doctrine  is  so  contrary  to  the  great  princi- 
ples of  the  covenant  of  grace  that  such  an  interpretation  of  any  text 
as  would  favor  it  cannot  consistently,  with  the  analogy  of  divine 
truth  be  admitted.  We  must  compare  Scripture  with  Scripture,  and 
thus  try  to  ascertain  the  mind  of  the  Spirit,  for  there  is  no  instance 
in  the  Scriptures  of  the  final  fall  of  real  saints.  To  such  professors 
•as  will  be  found  at  the  left  hand  of  the  Judge  at  the  last  day  it  will 
be  said,  however  great  their  gifts  or  high  their  privileges  have  been, 
""depart  from  me  ye  workers  of  iniquity  for  I  never  knew  you.'" 
Have  we  not  God's  word  for  it,  that  His  eyes  are  upon  the  righteous 
and  his  ears  ever  open  to  their  cries.  Certain  persons  who  make 
profession  are  represented  by  the  seed  which  fell  on  stoney  ground, 
and  heard  the  word  with  joy  and  for  a  season  gave  pleasing  evidence 
of  piety,  but  having  no  root  in  themselves,  in  the  time  of  temptation, 
tall  away — and  to  the  above  cases  we  may  add  those  who,  in  apos- 
tolic times,  received  the  miraculous  gifts  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  for  they 
were  not  conferred  only  on  real  christians,  as  we  know  from  the  case 
of  Judas,  and  from  the  accounts  given  by  our  Lord,  of  theplea  which 
will  be  made  by  some  whom  He  will  condemn  at  the  last  day.  They 
are  represented  as  saying  "have  we  not  in  thy  name  cast  out  devils, 
and  done  many  wonderful  works."  Combine  these  two  last  cases 
and  you  have  a  satisfactory  explanation  of  the  characters  of  thosede- 
scribed  in  the  vi.  chapter  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews. 

In  all  ages  of  the  church  there  are  persons  who  greatly  resemble 
true  saints,  not  only  in  outward  profession, but  who  have  feelings  and 
fxereises  which  are  well  devised  counterfeits  of  the  genuine  piety  of 
the  heart.  But  sure  it  can  never  be  said  that  one  of  those  who  were 
ehosen  in  Christ  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  and  in  time  ef- 
fectually called  and  united  to  Christ  so  as  to  become  living  members 
of  His  mystical  body,  and  whose  sins  He  bore  on  the  cross,  and  to 
whom  He  has  promised  the  constant  indwelling  of  His   Spirit,  and 


29$  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

whose  names  are  written  in  the  book  of  life,  should  finally  be  lost. 
The  enemy  of  God  and  man  shall  never,  in  the  dark  dominion  over 
which  he  reigns,  have  it  in  his  power  to  boast  triumphantly  that  he 
has  plucked  from  the  hands  of  the  Great  Shepherd,  one  of  the  dear 
lambs  of  His  flock.  No,  the  children  of  God,  cannot  be  deceived  to 
their  ruin.  Those  whose  names  are  written  in  the  book  of  life  shall 
not  be  cast  into  outer  darkness;  they  shall  never  perish. 

J.  G.  Carter. 


Cobb,  Elder  JSTeedham  B.  has  been  for  a  time  a  member 
of  the  Broad  River  and  King's  Mountain  Associations.  In 
1871  he  represented  Shelby  church  in  the  session  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  of  that  year,  held  at  Philadelphia 
church,  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  At  that  session  the 
Shelby  church  was  dismissed,  and  afterwards  joined  the 
King's  Mountain  Asssociation  in  1872,  when  Elder  Cobb 
was  again  a  delegate' from  the  Shelbv  church,  in  the  session 
of  the  latter  body  of  that  year. 

We  copy  from  Dr.  Cathcart's  Baptist  Encyclopedia  a 
notice  of  Elder  N.  B.  Cobb.  "He  was  born  in  Wayne  coun- 
ty, lNT.  C.,Feb.  1st,  1836;  graduated  at  Chapel  Hill  at  eigh- 
teen, in  1854;  taught  school  in  Cabarrus  county  and  Golds- 
borough  till  1857,  when  he  read  law  with  Chief  Justice 
Pearson,  and  practiced  in  Pitt,  Wayne  and  Green  counties 
till  October,  1859,  when  he  left  the  Episcopal  church,  in 
which  he  had  been  a  vestryman  for  several  years,  and  was 
baptized  by  Rev.  H.  Petty,  and  ordained  in  Wilson  in  1860, 
the  Presbytery  consisting  ot  Revs.  Levi  Thorne,  I.  B.  Solo- 
mon, H.  Petty,  G.  W.  Keene,  W.  C.  Lacy  and  J.  G.  Barclay. 
Mr.  Cobb  was  chaplain  of  the  4th  iST.  C.  Regimeut  for  a 
time,  and  rendered  distinguished  service  to  the  cause  of  reli- 
gion  as  superintendent  of  army  colportage  from  1862  till  the 
close  of  the  war.  After  the  war  ended  Mr.  Cobb  in  connec- 
tion with  Dr.  J.  D.  Hutham,  edited  the  Daily  Record,  of 
Raleigh,  for  six  months ;  he  then  became  corresponding  sec- 
retary of  the  Sunday  School  board,  and  has  since  served  as 
pastor  of  the  churches  of  Elizabeth  City,  Second  Church  of 
Portsmouth,  Va.,  Shelby,  N.  C,  Lilesviile,  Rockingham, 
and  Payetteville,  and  has  taught  much  in  connection  with 
preaching.  Mr;  Cobb  is  the  Baptist  statistician  of  N.  C, 
and  at  present  the  president  of  the  Baptist  State  Convention. 

Elder  Cobb  is  like  Zaccheus  of  old,  "little  in  stature"  but 
he  is  a  man  of  large  and  well  developed  mind ;  and  besides 
preaching  good  sermons,  he  writes  many  good  essays,  both 
in  prose  and  poetry.  We  take  the  liberty  to  reproduce 
one  of  his  poems  in  this  work,  as  a  souvenir,  which  will 
probably  be  read  with  a  degree  of  interest,  coming  as  it 
does  from  the  pen  of  our  Bro.  Cobb. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  297 

"Full  many  a  gem  of  purest  ray  serene, 

The  dark  unl'athomed  caves  of  ocean  bear ; 
Full  many  a  flower  is  born  to  blush  unseen 

And  waste  its  sweetness  on  the  desert  air. 

— Gray's  Elegy. 

No  ocean  "gem  of  ray  serene" 

Is  planted  on  the  deep  to  perish  there  ; 
No  flower  on  earth  is  "born  to  blush  unseen 

And  waste  its  sweetness  on  the  desert  air." 

The  eye  of  man  may  ne'er  behold  that  gem, 
"The  dark  unfathomed  caves  of  ocean  bear," 

His  keenest  sense  ne'er  note  the  sweet  perfume 
That  rose  distils  upon  the  desert  air. 

Still  not  one  sparkle  of  that  gem  is  lost, 
And  not  one  breath  of  fragrance  from  the  rose, 

For  round  about  them  are  a  countless  host, 
Who  in  their  splendor  revel  or  repose. 

Those  "dark  unfathomed  caves"  of  ocean  deep 

Are  not  so  dark  as  poets  sometimes  write ; 
There  myriads  moving,  mingling  monsters  creep, 

And  doubtless  to  them  all  that  gem  is  bright.  . 

Within  the  caverns  of  the  grains  of  sand, 

That  lie  around  that  desert  rose's  feet, 
A  thousand  living  things  fed  by  God's  hand 

Find  joyous  homes.     To  them  that  rose  is  sweet. 

And  still  if  hot  a  creature  where 

That  rose  is  blooming  or  that  gem  is  laid, 
The  great  Creator,  or  God,  who  placed  them  there, 

Would  take  delight  in  work  his  hands  have  made. 

Think  not  thy  worth  and  work  are  all  unknown  , 
Because  no  partial  pensman  paints  thy  praise ; 

Man  may  not  see  nor  mind  but  God  will  own 
Thy  worth  and  work  and  thoughts  and  words  and  ways. 

The  desert  rose  though  never  seen  by  man, 

Is  nurtured  with  a  care  divinely  good; 
The  ocean  gem  though  'neath  the  rolling  main 

Is  ever  brilliant  in  the  eyes  of  God. 


Chaffin,  Elder  Edward  M.  is  a  native  of  Iredell  coun- 
ty, N".  C.  He  moved  into  the  bounds  of  the  Broad  River 
(now  King's  Mountain)  Association  in  the  year  1838,  and 
became  a  constituent  member  of  the  Zoar  church  in  its  or- 
ganization. He  was  a  delegate  to  the  Association  in  1839, 
and  was  about  that  time  a  very  popular  preacher.  Soon 
after,  he  was  accused  of  improper  and  lascivious  conduct, 
and  not  beine;  willing  to  risk  a  le£ral  investigation,  he  io;no- 
miniously  fled  the  country. 

"all  is  not  gold  that  glitters." 

The  above  trite  remark  was  completely  verified  in  Elder 
E.  M.  Chaffin,  for  when  he  first  made  his  advent  among  the 
38 


298  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

people  and  churches  of  the  Broad  River  Association  he  was 
'•the  great  revivalist  preacher,"  and  attracted  large  congre- 
gations wherever  he  went,  and  to  all  human  appearance  his 
labor  seemed  not  to  be  in  vain.  But  ah  !  in  an  evil  hour 
the  tempter  obtained  the  victory  over  him,  and  he,  with  ail 
his  eloquence,  put  to  shame. 

It  is  said  that  during  the  late  war  between  the  Statts 
he  became  a  noted  libertine  and  gambler,  and  died  in  shame 
and  remorse.  He  had  before  this  been  expelled  from 
church  privileges  and  advertised  by  the  Association  to  which 
he  had  formerly  belonged.  He  would  be,  if  living,  about 
75  years  of  age.  Had  an  intelligent,  cultivated  wite  and  an 
interesting  family  of  children,  who  have  the  sympathies  of 
many.     Alas!  poor  Chaffin  ! 


Curtis,  Elder  William,  L.L.  D.  was  the  son  of  that 
venerable  and  distinguished  man,  Elder  Thos.  Curtis,  D.  1). 
He  was  born  in  Cum bu well,  England,  April  23d,  1817,  and 
in  1832  was  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Baptist 
church.  At  what  time  he  was  ordained  by  the  church  at 
Columbia,  S.  C,  we  are  unable  to  tell.  He  was  for  a  few 
years  pastor  of  that  church.  In  the  year  1845  he,  with  his 
father,  moved  to  Limestone  Springs.  This  place  was  pur- 
chased by  them  in  that  year,  and  they  established  the  "Lime- 
stone Female  High  School,"  which  proved  to  be  a  great 
success;  having  as  principals  two  men  so  well  qualified, 
their  fame  spread  throughout  the  entire  South,  and  even  be- 
yond. There  are  now  living  hundreds  of  ladies  who  were 
educated  there.  Elder  Wm.  Curtis  was  untiring;  in  anv  ^ood 
work.  When  he  became  a  member  of  the  Broad  River  As- 
sociation a  large  majority  of  its  members  opposed  missions, 
which  to  him  was  very  mortifying.  In  1847  a  society  was 
organized  at  Limestone  Springs  by  Wm.  Curtis,  his  father, 
and  a  lew  other  brethren,  which  was  called  the  "Broad  River 
Society,  in  aid  of  the  spread  of  the  Gospel."  Through  the 
noble  efforts  of  this  society  the  missionary  spirit  increased, 
and  darkness  gave  way  to  the  light  untii  the  society  was 
merged  into  the  Association.  Through  the  untiring  efforts 
of  William  Curtis  and  his  father,  the  church  called  now 
Limestone  was  constituted,  and  for  more  than  fifteen  years 
he  was  pastor  of  this  church.  Some  two  or  three  years  pre- 
vious to  his  death  he  had  a  slight  attack  of  paralysis,  which 
impaired  both  his  body  and  mind,  and  both  gradually  gave 
way  until  the  30th  of  October,  1873,  he  breathed  his  last. 
His  remains  now  lie  interred  at  Walthoursville,  Liberty 
county,  Georgia. 

Elder  Barnett,  the  associational   historian,  speaking  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  29W 

the  abilities  of  Dr.  Thomas  Curtis,  adds  :  "Yet  candor  com- 
pels me  to  say  that,  although  Dr.  Curtis  was  a  most  able 
divine,  both  as  a  preacher  and  writer,  yet  as  a  debater  he 
was  decidedly  inferior  to  his  son,  William  Curtis.  Dr.  Wm. 
Curtis  was  of  quicker  perception,  more  ready  to  meet  a  de- 
bate in  eveiw  turn  it  would  take  ;  and  wTith  a  facility  for 
anticipating  his  competitors'  strong  points,  and  weakening 
them  before  he  arrived  at  them,  he  was  evidently  superior 
to  his  father. '' 

Dr.  Wm.  Curtis  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  the  Associa- 
tion first  in  1852  by  the  Ephesus  church.  In  1864  he  was 
elected  Clerk,  and  in  1868  he  was  chosen  to  preside  as  Mod- 
erator. In  1867  he  prepared  the  circular  letter  addressed  to 
the  churches,  on  the  Christian  Ministry,  which  we  reproduce 
in  this  work,  as  follows  : 

Dear  Brethren  : — The  welfare  of  our  churches  depends  so 
much  upon  the  condition  of  our  ministry,  that  we  this  year  beg  your 
prayerful  consideration  of  the  characteristics  of  the  christian  minis- 
try we  always  need.  We  should  not,  in  the  first  place,  forget  that 
the  churches  do  not  make  the  ministry  ;  they  neither  create  it,  nor 
qualify  it,  though  they  have  much  to  do  in  moulding  its  temper,  its 
influence  and  its  habits,  and  it  lives  most  to  the  glory  of  its  Master 
when  sanctioned  and  sustained  by  their  approval,  their  co-operation 
and  their  prayers.  Each  minister  of  our  churches  is  to  be  character- 
ized as  being,  therefore,  that  in  which  alone  the  Apostle  Paul  would 
glory — ''the  minister  of  Christ,"  (1  Cor.  iv.  1 ;)  "a  minister  of  God," 
(2  Cor.  vi.  4.)  Ministers  stand  only  in  their  official  relation  to  the 
churches,  as  they  are  Christ's  servants.  To  be  a  minister,  is  to  be  a 
servant,  but  it  is  well  to  remember  that  but  one  is  the  master — even 
Christ — and  though  we  serve,  that  we  all  are  brethren.  There  is 
sometimes  a  great  lowering  of  the  office,  by  regarding  and  speaking 
of  it  as  if  the  churches  were  the  masters,  rather  than  the  guests  in 
the  Master's  house  ;  the  ministry  is  looked  down  upon  rather  than 
exalted  by  the  churches.  Whenever  this  is  done  a  church  can  not 
prosper,  a  minister  can  not  prosper.  At  other  times  individuals 
would  do  the  same,  but  the  minister  is  not,  must  not  be  the  servant 
of  men.  He  must  remember  the  exhortation  of  Titus,  "Let  no  man 
despise  thee  ;"  and  this,  not  by  opposing  those  that  would,  but  by 
being  faithful,  irreproachable,  a  servant  of  Christ  in  all  things — that 
to  despise  Him  shall  be  impossible. 

In  the  New  Testament  there  are  three  or  four  different  words 
employed  by  the  inspired  writers  to  set  forth  the  service  of  the  min- 
ister. Each  has  its  own  peculiar  shade  of  meaning.  In  Coloss.  ii. 
17,  the  Church  is  told  to  say  to  Archippus,  "Take  heed  to  the  min- 
istry which  thou  hast  received  in  the  Lord,  that  thou  fulfill  it."  In 
the  word  "ministry''  (diakorios)  here  used,  the  apostle  has  reference 
to  the  diligent,  annoying  service,  which  he  and  every  one  of  his 
faithful  successors  will  have  to  perform.    His  Master,  the  Lord  Jesus,' 


3(J0  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

has  given  him  many  a  dirty  place  to  cleanse,  and  he  must  do  it 
promptly  ;  many  a  tedious  hour  of  watchfulness,  that  all  things  be 
kept  in  order  about  his  house,  and  he  must  rely  upon  it.  Rom.  xii.  7. 
This  is  often  a  weary  task,  and  one  in  which  many  must  help.  It 
is  harder  to  purify  a  depraved  and  polluted  heart  than  to  cleanse  a 
pit  of  filth.  A  great  work  of  the  servant  of  the  Lord  is  to  stop  pro- 
fanity, to  prevent  the  desecration  of  the  holy  Sabbath  ;  to  turn  aside 
the  filthy  torrent  of  intemperance,  and  the  loathsome  streams  of 
gross  sensual  indulgence.  Of  all  these  to  say  "Repent,"  is  his  work  ; 
to  guard  against  them  is  his  life-long  labor  in  any  community. 

But  the  Apostle  Paul  in  Acts  xxvi.  16  tells  us  that  Jesus  appear- 
ed unto  him  for  this  purpose,  "to  make  him  a  minister  (uperretees) 
and  a  witness  both  of  these  things  which  thou  hast  seen,  and  of 
those  which  I  will  appear  unto  thee."  A  different  word  is  here 
used  to  bring  out  the  galling  on,  as  he  terms  it — the  galley-slave-life 
to  which  a  christian  minister  is  often  to  be  given  up  ;  a  life  in  which 
every  exertion  he  can  make  must  be  made,  in  which  his  strength 
will  almost  give  way,  but  there  is  no  help  save  to  work  at  his  oar, 
and  push  his  boat.  The  lives  of  many  depend  upon  his  life,  and  on 
that  life  being  engaged  in  that  work  alone.  As  such  a  minister  Paul, 
the  prisoner,  was  on  his  way  to  Rome  to  begin  the  overthrow  of  its 
Pagan  power,  and  thus  it  is  that  our  ministry  have  again  to  encoun- 
ter almost  Pagan  superstition  and  opposing  wickedness  around  our 
own  churches. 

Again  in  Rom.  xv.  16,  the  same  Apostle  takes  a  still  different 
view  of  his  ministry  and  that  of  the  christian  church,  when  he 
speaks  of  "the  grace  that  is  given  to  me  of  God,  that  I  should  be  the 
minister  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  Gentiles,  ministering  the  Gospel  of 
God."  Indeed,  in  these  few  words  he  uses  two  different  ones  to  un- 
fold all  the  truth.  First,  he  speaks  of  himself  "as  the  minister  (leit- 
ourgos)  for  the  people,  in  the  economy  and  frugality  with  which  he 
must  discharge  the  duties  of  his  office.  How  true  was  this  of  him 
when  he  could  say  of  his  work  in  Asia  :  "Ye  know  from  the  first 
day  that  I  came  into  Asia  after  what  manner  I  have  been  with  you 
at  all  seasons,  serving  the  Lord  with  all  humility  of  mind,  *  *  * 
and  how  I  kept  back  nothing  that  was  profitable  unto  you,  but  have 
showed  and  taught  you  publicly, and  from  house  to  house  (Acts  xx.18- 
20;)  and  of  his  work  in  Europe,  that  his  own  hands  had  ministered 
to  his  necessities,  and  that  no  man  should  take  this  boasting  from 
him  that  "in  Achaia  had  been  chargeable  to  no  man."  Next  he 
speaks  of  his  "ministering"  (hierourges)  as  desirous  of  impressing 
this  most  important  lesson  that  when,  as  the  simple  and  personally 
independent  man  (but  workman  for  the  people)  he  stands  alone 
among  his  fellow  creatures,  he  yet  is  acting  as  the  very  priest  of 
God  ;  for  such  in  the  word  he  uses  does  he  say  it  is  to  be  "minister- 
ing" the  Gospel  of  God.  When  we  can  lose  sight  of  ourselves  in 
our  wrork,  God  will  make  Himself  seen  most  clearly  in  us  and  about 
us.  Let  us  often  meditate  on  these  views  of  the  christian  ministry, 
its  ordinary,  continuous  servant's  work  ;  its  galling  most  oppressive 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  331 

-work  ;  its  self-denying  work  far  the  good  of  others ;  its  priestly 
work — and  ask,  is  this  the  ministry  we  have  ?  the  ministry  we  are  $ 

But  in  the  passage  already  quoted,  Archippus  is  told  "to  take 
dieed  to  the  ministry  ;  the  Colossian  church  are  to  tell  him,  so  that 
both  they  and  he  must  have  a  heeded  ministry,  or  it  is  not  the  min- 
istry of  the  Savior  or  the  Saviour's  churches  need.  First,  the  min- 
ister is  to  heed  his  own  office  ;  he  must  see  and  find  something  in  it 
most  important— more  important,  perhaps,  than  any  one  else  besides 
imagines.  It  is  his  own  peculiar  and  most  pressing  duty  now  upon 
Jiim  ;  there  is  woe  if  he  disregard  it,  danger  to  himself  and  all  around 
-that  he  must  heed,  with  which  his  service  has  peculiarly  to  do.  He 
and  nobody  beside  can  avert  it,  and  bring  in  the  stead  thereof  such 
winning  tidings  of  deliverance  that  his  very  feet  shall  be  blessed. 
The  true  minister  is  always  so  heedful  of  this  state  of  things — the  in- 
consistent are  so  heedless,  and  therefore  so  harmful.  What  minis- 
ters do  not  mean  to  do  or  neglect  to  do,  has  weakened,  divided  or 
-destroyed  the  churches  perhaps  quite  as  often  as  even  the  outbreak- 
ing sins  of  the  comparatively  few  hypocritical  ones,  who  have,  in 
sheep's  clothing,  stolen  in  among  the  flock.  But  again,  he  must 
keep  his  body  under,  lest,  having  preached  to  others,  he  himself  be 
a  castawav  ;  and  while  he  'thinketh  he  standeth,  take  heed  lest  he 
fall."  He  must  also  take  heed  to  the  gift  that  was  given  him  for 
this  ministry  and  to  his  doctrine  ;  must  study  to  show  himself  ap- 
proved unto  God,  and  beware  how  he  buildeth  in  his  Master's  house, 
even  upon  the  true  foundation  :  some  building  will  otherwise  be  of 
wood,  hay  or  stubble,  and  with  sadly  untempered  mortar.  He  has 
•also  to  take  heed  as  to  the  signs  of  the  times,  and  be  no  indifferent 
spectator  of  passing  events,  yet  he  must  not  strive  or  entangle  him- 
self in  things  only  of  this  world.  •  How  few  in  the  ministry  have  in 
these  respects  kept  themselves  pure  I 

But  the  church  is  to  say,  "take  heed."  Did  not  the  Apostle 
mean,  therefore,  that  in  a  sort  of  peculiar  and  elevated  jealousy,  for 
the  entire  character  of  this  minister  of  Christ,  they  were  also  to 
lake  heed,  both  on  his  behalf  and  their  own?  A  minister  is  to  be 
kindly  watched  by  the  church;  his  faults  are  not  to  be  greedily  gath- 
ered up,  and  as  earnestly  bruited  abroad  ;  but  he  must  be  prayed  for, 
■conversed  with  and  encouraged  ;  sometimes  he  must  be  warned,  and 
even  urged  to  a  more  active,  spiritual  and  entire  discharge  of  his 
solemn  trust.  ISoble-minded  Bereans,  who  search  the  Scriptures 
daily  to  see  whether  what  he  teaches  is  so,  and  watchful  Aquillas 
and  Priscillas  will  mature  the  charaeter'and  usefulness  of  either  an 
Apostle  Paul  or  an  eloquent  and  mighty  Apollos.  Words  of  sound 
doctrine  stir  up  that  faith  in  the  attentive  hearer  only,  which  re- 
acts both  upon  the  ability  and  the  energy  of  the  ministry  we  need. 
But  forsake  the  assembling  of  yourselves  together,  as  the  manner  of 
some  is,  or  assemble  but  to  enquire  of  the  crops,  the  neighborhood 
affairs,  or  the  politics  of  the  country;  or  disregard  both  the  doctrine  the 
minister  teaches,  and  the  exhortation  that  he  gives,  either  by  care- 
less inattention  or  oftentimes  by  actual  sleep  and  talk,  and  walking 
to  and  fro  in  the  very  house  of  God,  and  soon  our  churches  and  our 


302'  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES- 

ministry  will  be  abondoned.     The  ministry  we  need   is  one  that 
must  be  heeded  both  by  itself  and  by  the  people- 

The  important  characteristics  of  this  ministry  becomes  more- 
striking  as  we  advance.  "Itte  received  in  the  Lord:"  No  one,  "ex- 
cept in  the  Lord,"  can  discharge  its  duties,  or  enjoy  its  privileges.  It 
is  only  thus  to  be  prepared  for.  He  cannot  be  a  minister  who  is  not 
in  Christ  Jesus.  The  proof  once  made  of  not  being  in.  him,  every 
other  qualification,  education,  influence,  interest,  success,  is  insuffi- 
cient. We  must  have  a  Godly  ministry.  But  more  particularly,  to 
have  "received  the  ministry  in  the  Lord,"  means  nothing  less  than, 
that  Spiritual  union  of  the  sinful  man  with  his  Savior  of  which  he 
speaks, when  he  says,  "The  glory  which  thou  gavestme,  I  have  given 
them;  that  they  may  be  one,  even  as  we  are  one.  I  in  them  and 
they  in  me,  that  they  may  be  made  perfect  in  one."  John  xvii :  22  23. 
It  is,  that  the  man  be  "created  anew  in  Christ  Jesus,"  to  have 
"Christ  made  to  him  wisdom  and  righteousness,  sanctifi cation,  and 
redemption;"  "to  be  found  in  him,  not  having  his  own  righteousness 
which  is  of  the  law,  but  that  which  is  through  the  faith  of  Christ." 
The  foundation  of  the  character  of  the  ministry  we  need,  is  thus  laid 
in  peculiar  piety  of  the  man,  even  before  he  becomes  the  minister.  As- 
the  brave  man,  alone,  can  make  the  good  soldier,  the  man  eminent 
for  his  piety,  may  alone  make  the  .a;ood  minister. 

But  the  further  meaning  of  this  characteristic  is,  that  the  min- 
istry is  in  the  Lord  continuously.  There  is  a  living,  growing  union, 
between  them.  No  minister,  especially,  can  live  on  any  of  his  spir- 
itual blessings,  that  are  altogether  past.  Out  of  his  treasures  of  faith 
of  knowledge,  of  love,  of  strength,  must  come  things,  new  and  old. 
The  Lord  is  ever  before  him,  as  a  lamb  recently  slain,  he  everliveth, 
and  comes  in  and  abides  with  his  minister,  of  his  crucified  redeemer 
he  never  loses  sight,  if  he  is  in  the  minister  the  churches  need.  If 
because  eminent  for  piety,  he  is  put  into  the  ministry,  he  must  be- 
come more  known  for  his  simplicity  of  character,  his  purity,  his 
freedom  from  the  love  of  the  world,  his  prudence,  his  gentleness,  his 
earnestness,  his  faithfulness,  his  ardent  love,  as  he  continues  therein. 
This  is  it  which  we  need  in  a  ministry  "received  in  the  Lord." 

Again,  dear  Brethren,  that  ministry  must  be  fulfilled ;  take  heed 
that  thou  fufill  it,  "full  proof"  must  be  made.  And  who  needs 
not  to  be  admonished  here?  Is  the  ministry  not  almost  at  a  stand  ? 
Do  not  the  people  love  to  have  it  so?  To  fulfill  the  ministry  can 
only  be  affected  by  all  of  us  as  united  brethren.  The  minister  builds 
up  the  church.  The  church  builds  up  the  minister.  They  are  both 
one  body — each  is  necessary  to  the  other,  they  can  only  be  strong 
while  in  the  Lord,  and  in  one  another,  for  all  must  be  one  to  live 
and  prosper.  The  ministry,  it  is  meant,  must  be  filled  as  to  all  the 
mind  can  learn  and  understand  of  the  gospel;  the  heart  must  be 
filled  with  all  it  can  feel  of  the  power  of  the  gospel,  and  the  hands 
must  be  filled  with  all  they  can  do  for  the  gospel. 

We  need  a  strong  minded  ministry.    We  cannot  prosper  without 
it.     Bible  truths  in  their  importance,  their  proportion,  their  proofs 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  303 

■and  their  distinction,  must  be  continually  brought  out  more  and 
.more  fully.  The  people  must  be  urgent  to  ask  for  this — the  ministry 
as  ready  and  desirous  to  do  it.  This  can  only  be  done  through  most 
diligent  and  constant  reading  of  the  Bible,  that  contains  these  truths, 
and  watchful  prayer.  The  ministry  and  people  that  do  not  increase 
an  the  knowledge  of  the  Bible,  cannot  fulfill  the  ministry.  Let  the 
minister  say,  "I  will  cease  to  teach  when  I  cease  to  learn."  Let 
the  people  know  that  the  minister  ceases  to  profit  when  he  ceases  to 
teach.  The  ministry  that  we  need  must  be  an  educated  ministry. 
It  may  not  be  educated  for  its  duties,  but  it  must  be  educated  in 
■them.  The  teaching  and  learning  of  the  schools  may  not  have  been 
heard  of,  but  the  ministry  has  been  with  the  great  Teacher,  Jesus, 
■and  is  with  Him  constantly  or  it  is  not  fulfilled.  Oh!  that  there  were 
not  a  minister  among  us,  who  does  not  study  all  he  can  to  show  him- 
self "approved  unto  God,"  to  fill  his  mind  fully,  and  the  minds  of 
■the  people,  with  all  the  truth.  But  the  heart  must  ever  take  the  pre- 
cedence of  the  mind,  as  the  characteristic  of  the  ministry  we  need. 
There  is  no  profitable  ministry  without  a  full  heart.  "Thou  shalt 
Jove  the  Lord,  thy  God,  with  all  thy  heart  and  soul,  and  mind  and 
strength."  The  heart  takes  the  precedence.  There  is  needed,  there- 
fore, a  holy  strength,"  direction,  government,  warmth,  and  energy 
-of  heart  unsurpassed,  that  the  ministry  may  be  fulfilled.  The 
greatest  powers  may  become  the  most  destructive,  but  for  that  rea- 
son they  need  not  be  abandoned  ;  they  must  only  be  the  more  closely 
.regulated.  Let  it  be  thus  with  the  heart  of  the  ministry,  and  the  life 
corresjxiudmg  to  it  in  the  heart  of  the  peeple.  "Now  we  live,  if  ye 
stand  fast  in  the  Lord."  Both  parties  must  here  again  join  in  this 
great  work,  using  the  greatest  caution  Neither  must  mistake  mere 
excitement  for  the  true  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  heart— mere 
imagination  for  the  true  revelation  of  a  blessed  hope — or  the  mere 
power  of  sympathy  for  the  fellowship  of  saints.  How  surely  will 
the  enemy  of  souls  counterfeit  what  is  so  valuable  when  genuine! 
Let  the  ministry  and  the  people  guard  against  the  deception..  Once 
more  :  the  ministry  can  only  be  fulfilled  by  strong  efforts.  Ministers 
must  work  till  they  are  successful;  no  other  thought  than  that  of 
success  must  be  their's  ;  the  people  must  determine  to  sustain  them. 
Strong  efforts  is  what  the  Apostle  means  when  he  tells  Timothy  to 
.make  "full  proof"  of  his  ministry.  He  was  to  "preach"  the  Wore", 
to  "be  instant,"  (uj'gent  he  means)  "in  season,  out  of  season,  re- 
prove, rebuke,  exhort,  with  all  long  suffering  and  doctrine,  watch 
in  all  things,  endure  afflictions,  and  do  the  work  of  an  evangelist." 
Is  this  our  proof  in  these  days  that  we  have  the  ministry  we  need  ? 
Practical  efforts  will  here  be  demanded  ;  works  of  the  hand 
that  one  finds  to  do  must  be  done  with  might.  Church-meetings, 
prayer-meetings,  Sabbath  schools,  Bible  distribution  and  reading, 
sending  the  knowledge  of  the  Truth  where  I  cannot  go  by  others, 
and  taking  it  where  I  can  ;  visiting  the  fatherless  and  the  widow, 
going  from  house  to  house,  freely  giving  as  I  have  freely  received. 
All  these  are  practical  efforts  in  which  the  ministry  is  to  be  fulfilled. 


SOi  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

The  people  must  aid  and  support  the  ministry  in  all  these  things, 
The  ministry  is  to  show  this  pattern  of  good  works;   let  the  people 
copy  it  for  their  own  benefit  and  comfort,   and  so  far  as  they  can_ 
let  them  cut  loose  the  hands  of  their  ministers,   and   devote  them 
wholly  to  these  great  works. 

We  observe  lastly  :  David  speaks  with  gratitude  that  "a  bow  of 
steel  was  broken  with  his  own  arms,"  and  that  God's  gentleness  had 
made  him  great ;  to  teach  us  that  in  crushing  enemies  without 
fear  and  conquering  souls  for  Christ,  is  the  full  triumph  of  the  min- 
istry completed.  Error,  wickedness,  sly  deceit,  and  open  scorn  must 
alike  be  met.  The  ministry  must  war  a  good  warfare  ;"  "many  ad- 
versaries" the  Apostle  had  to  encounter,  but  he  overcame  them  all, 
fought  a  good  fight,  and  received  his  crown.  So  must  we.  Some  he 
rebuked  and  cut  off;  others  he  saved  with  fear,  plucking  them  out 
of  the  fire,  laying  with  the  angels  of  divine  mercy  as  at  Sodom,  his 
hands  on  those  of  lingering  nature,  and  thus  compelling  the  escape 
of  life.  The  Apostle  Paul  never  forgot  that  overcoming  the  opposer 
and  the  indifferent,  more  often  can  be  done  by  persuasion  than  by 
finding  fault.  The  attempt  at  the  contrary  often  becomes  a  habit 
with  us,  but  the  wisdom  that  winneth  souls  to  Christ  is  the  perfec- 
tion of  wisdom.  One  can  rarely  scold  another  into  being  a  christian. 
Love  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  ministry  as  it  is  of  the  law. 

May  we  thus  find  continually  the  ministry  we  need  in  the  sal- 
vation that  is  brought  to  our  doors,  that  comforts  our  hearts,  prompts 
us  all  to  every  good  word  and  work,  fits  us  for  heaven,  and  is  for  the 
glory  of  our  Lord  and  Master.  William  Curtis. 


Curtis,  Elder  Thomas,  D.  D.  was  a  native  of  England, 
born  at  Wisbeach,  Cambridgeshire,  May  10,  1787.  He  was 
the  son  of  a  substantial  yeoman  of  good  property.  In  early 
life  he  showed  intellectual  vigor  and  a  fondnesss  for  books 
which  his  father  cultivated,  and  thus  he  obtained  a  good 
school  education.  While  at  school  he  was  competitor  for 
a  prize  essay,  and  was  successful.  By  this  he  would  have 
been  entitled  to  a  presentation  to  the  University  of  Cam- 
bridge, but  he  could  not  accept  it,  not  being  able  conscien- 
tiously, to  sign  the  "Thirty-nine  Articles  of  the  Church  of 
England."  The  death  of  a  sister,  and  ot  the  venerable  Bap- 
tist clergyman,  Dr.  Fisher,  under  whose  ministry  he  sat, 
early  impressed  his  mind  with  the  importance  of  religion, 
and  led  to  his  conversion  and  baptism  while  a  youth. 
Henceforth  he  devoted  himself  to  study,  labor,  and  useful- 
ness for  the  church  of  God.  Mainly  self-instructed  at  this 
period  of  life,  he  acquired  a  good  knowledge  of  Latin, 
Greek  and  Hebrew.  The  Baptist  church  of  which  he  was 
a  member  put  him  forward  as  a  preacher,  and  availed  them- 
selves of  his  services  for  some  time. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  205 

He  was  married  to  a  Miss  Reynoldson,  June  15th,  1809, 
a  lady  of  attractive  endowments  and  sweet  and  gentle  tem- 
per, and  then  settled  in  London.  Fond  of  books,  he  en- 
gaged in  the  book  business,  which,  as  a  commercial  enter- 
prize,  was  driven  with  energy  and  a  successful  pecuniary 
result.  But  his  father-in-law,  (the  father  also  of  the  late  la- 
mented Elder  John  Reynoldson,  of  Virginia,  so  well  known 
among  our  churches,)  dying  about  this  time,  he  was  called 
to  succeed  him  in  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church  in  the  city, 
and  withdrew  from  active  participation  in  secular  business. 
His  literary  labors,  however,  were  uninterrupted,  and  he 
became  one  of  the  editors  of  the  first  parts  of  the  "Encyclo- 
pedia Metropolitana,"  his  chief  coadjutor  in  this  great 
work  being  S.  T.  Coleridge.  This  position  led  them  to  call 
forth  the  services  and  labors  of  a  number  of  eminent  men, 
and  to  enjoy  intimate  intercourse  with  most  of  the  choice 
spirits  of  the  day.  Charles  Richardson's  English  Dictionary 
and  Whately's  Logic  ;and  Rhetoric,  with  many  other  inval- 
uable treatises,  were  thus  first  written  for  this  work.  After 
some  years,  another  book-selling  house  having  undertaken 
to  publish  the  London  Encyclopedia  at  the  extraordinary- 
rate  of  an  octavo  volume  a  month,  brought  his  valuable  ser- 
vices to  their  aid  at  a  very  flattering  rate  of  compensation. 
This  he  couducted  in  three  years  and  a  halt  to  a  successful 
issue.  Such  also  was  his  acquaintance  with  the  condition  of 
the  text  of  our  English  Bible,  that  he  was  employed  by  the 
Oxford  University  in  correcting  an  edition  for  their  press. 
He  pointed  out  at  that  time  no  less  than  ten  thousand  errors 
of  the  press  in  alteration  from  the  standard  editions  of  1611. 
This  work  though  completed,  the  fruit  of  much  labor  and 
care,  has  not  been  published.  The  authorities  becoming 
alarmed  for  the  results,  suddenly  withdrew  their  sanction  to 
further  proceedings,  and,  thanking  him  for  his  ability  and 
courtesy,  abandoned  their  design.  The  manuscript  is  still 
among  his  papers. 

To  set  forward  his  children,  and  prompted  perhaps  by 
a  love  of  our  institutions,  he  immigrated  to  America.  The 
voyage  ended  in  shipwreck  and  loss  to  himself  and  almost 
all  the  passengers  of  their  worldly  goods,  but  their  lives, 
with  difficulty,  were  saved.  Thus,  in  1834,  he  began  his 
residence  in  the  United  States,  settling  first  in  Bangor,  and 
afterwards  for  a  short  time  in  Augusta,  Maine.  Boudoin 
College  testified  her  sense  of  the  value  of  his  labors  by  con- 
ferring upon  him  the  title  of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  But  the 
climate  being  too  rigorous  for  his  family,  under  the  advice 
and  influence  of  Bro.  Holmes  Tupper,  then  of  Savannah,  he, 
about  the  vear  1838,  went  to  Georgia,  accepting  the  call  of 
"39 


306  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

the  Macon  church,  and  settled  there  for  a  few  years.  The 
friends  of  Mercer  University  then  desired  he  should  move 
to  Penfield,  but  after  a  short  stay  at  that  place  he  was  urged 
to  take  charge  of  the  "Went worth  street  Baptist  church,  in 
Charleston,  IS.  C,  and  moved  there  in  1841.  He  was  pres- 
ent and  made  an  address  at  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone  of 
their  house  of  worship,  and  publicly  opened  it  when  ready 
for  use  with  a  sermon  that  will  long  be  remembered.  Here 
he  labored  with  the  eminent  appreciation  of  his  services  by 
all  who  had  the  privilege  of  enjoying  them,  even  but  occa- 
sionally, till  his  removal  to  the  last  sphere  of  his  constant 
labors  at  Limestone  Springs  in  the  Fall  of  1845.  At  this 
place,  in  conjunction  with  one  of  his  sons,  he  began  the  en- 
terprise of  a  Female  High  School  in  the  mountain  districts, 
bringing  to  this  doubtful  problem  all  the  energy  of  youth 
with  the  matured  wisdom  and  experience  of  a  manhood  spent 
amidst  the  most  elevated  of  religious  and  literary  associa- 
tions. He  set  the  tone  of  education  high  at  once.  Care  was 
taken  as  is  fit  to  cultivate  the  mind  to  the  point  of  refine- 
ment and  even  of  elegance,  while  cheerful  fondness,  prompt 
obedience,  order  nearly  perfect,  and  thorough  accuracy  char- 
acterize his  pupils.  These  were  the  fruits  of  the  rich  instruc- 
tion both  in  morals  and  religion  that  he  poured  forth  as  well 
in  the  class-room  as  the  pulpit.  He  attained  the  happy  art 
of  influencing  to  his  high  purposes  without  alone  depending 
on  the  sternness  of  simple  authority,  and  he  has  bequeathed 
a  noble  array  of  daughters  to  elevate  and  adorn  our  race, 
many  of  whom  rise  up  in  every  district  and  the  most  of  our 
Southern  States  to  bless  his  memory. 

In  his  ministerial  labors  in  this  part  of  the  country  the 
public  knew  him  more  as  an  evangelist  than  as  a  pastor,  and 
in  this  capacity  his  presence  was  everywhere  hailed  with  sat- 
isfaction amounting  to  delight.  He  made  our  public  meet- 
ings glad  when  he  appeared  in  them,  and  Zion's  waste  and 
desolate  places  rejoiced  often  in  those  rich  and  vigorous  min- 
istrations which,  like  the  fountain  in  his  own  beautiful 
grounds,  emitted  the  same  refreshing  fullness  who  ever  was 
there  to  enjoy  them.  He  gave  his  mind  freely  and  fully  to 
Bible  themes  as  the  basis  of  his  discourses,-  dwelling  mainly 
on  subjects  that  he  could  connect  with  the  sovereignty  of 
God  in  providence  and  grace — the  Divinity  of  our  Lord, 
His  atonement,  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  the 
fullness  and  freedom  of  grace.  His  preaching,  original  and 
striking,  did  more  than  fill  the  mind  of  the  hearer — it  quick- 
ened all  his  powers  and  was  peculiarly  suggestive,  inspiring 
reflection  and  inquiry  that  frequently  led  off  into  trains  of 
thought  previously  unexplored.     His  last  sermon  was  in  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  307 

Central  Baptist  church,  Brooklyn,  New  York,  from  Mark  i. 
17  :  "Is  it  not  written,  my  house  shall  be  called  of  all  nations 
the  house  of  prayer?"  "With  great  clearness  and  power," 
says  the  pastor  of  that  church,  "he  showed  what  is  real 
prayer,  and  that  such  prayer  must  underlie  all  that  is  done  in 
the  house  of  God,  or  it  answers  not  the  purpose  of  its  ap- 
pointment." Such  was  the  effect  of  his  discourse,  his  man- 
ner all  life,  and  singularly  impressive,  his  voice,  strong  and 
full,  and  his  own  soul  deeply  absorbed,  that  the  congregation 
while  returning  were  observed  to  move  in  clusters,  express- 
ing the  desire  to  return  and  hear  the  message  repeated. 

During  his  entire  journey  to  the  North  and  homeward, 
the  exercises  of  his  mind  in  the  pulpit,  the  prayer-meeting, 
and  in  the  families  of  his  friend,  even  beyond  former  exam- 
ples, attracted  notice,  and  evince  that  he  was  being  prepared 
for  his  departure. 

Suddenly  called  home,  by  what  in  the  last  letter  he  wrote 
lie  terms  "the  unimpeachable  voice  of  God  in  death"  in  his 
son's  family,  he  was  on  board  the  ill-fated  steamer,  "North 
Carolina,"  passing  from  Baltimore  to  Norfolk  on  the  29th  of 
January,  1859,  and  perished  in  the  flames  that  consumed 
her.  Though  in  his  seventy-second  year,  neither  his  natural 
powers  of  body  nor  of  mind  was  abated — he  did  not  decline 
amid  the  feebleness  and  senilities  of  a  worn-out  life.  His 
sun  went  down  in  its  full  splendor.  The  call  was  sudden, 
but  he  was  not  unprepared.  The  Master  came  and  he  open- 
ed to  Him  immediately.  The  presumption  is  that  he  passed 
away  without  conscious  pain — suffocated  without  awaking, 
by  the  smoke  and  gases  that  so  quickly  filled  the  room.  He 
had  spent  the  evening  conversing  of  his  Master,  and  the  last 
that  was  seen  of  him  was  as  he  was  reading  his  Bible  at  his 
berth,  preparing  thus  either  for  duty  below  or  for  heaven, 
as  the  Master  should  please.  He  died  like  Moses,  apart  and 
alone,  and  "no  man  knoweth  of  his  burial  place  unto  this 
day."  In  this  mournful  dispensation  to  his  relatives  and  the 
churches,  we  have  but  another  example  of  that  upon  which 
Dr.  Curtis  so  often  insisted — the  peculiar  sovereignty  of  God 
in  the  death  of  man. 

In  his  character  there  was  uprightness,  honesty  and 
firmness  conjoined,  however,  with  great  ingeniousness  and 
a  glowing  affection  for  every  one  and  everything  that  was 
good.  Though  earnest  in  all  things,  it  was  the  earnestness 
of  love.  Everywhere,  in  all  circles,  whether  elevated  or 
humble,  his  visits  were  welcome.  It  was  only  wished  that 
he  would  stay  longer  and  come  again.  His  generous  neigh- 
bors and  the  church  to  which  he  belonged  at  home  say  truly 
"they  who  knew  him  best  loved  him  most."     His  plans  in 


338  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

life  were  as  to  all  things  of  a  conservative  turn.  His  views 
of  whatever  he  considered  or  undertook  were  rapid,  com- 
prehensive and  discriminating,  and  he  had  that  one  most 
important  quality  of  genius — the  power  to  make  and  sustain 
great  efforts.  While  his  plans  were  philosophical,  and  ex- 
tended to  the  principles  of  things,  they  were  not  revolution- 
ary. He  knew  it  was  much  easier  to  destroy  than  to  build 
up,  and  prudently  avoided  untried  movements  and  sudden 
sweeping  changes.  His  attainments  were  as  extended  and 
remarkable  as  his  ability  and  his  associations.  He  was  a 
christian  scholar  among  christian  scholars.  In  his  piety 
there  was  much  devotedness.  It  was  a  saying  of  his  "that 
he  could  not  always  live  in  company,"  and  his  retired  hours 
were  especially  prayerful.  Finding  himself  a  poor  sinner, 
he  went  to  God  alone,  for  he  had  private  business  with  Him 
that  could  not  be  done  in  a  crowd.  He  evidently  desired  to 
live,  realizing  the  true  doctrine  of  death,  that  he  has  himself 
most  happily  impressed  in  one  of  his  letters  to  his  most  inti- 
mate friend,  thus  writing :  "We  overrate  death  sometimes 
as  a  change.  It  will  be  but  a  continuance  of  our  better  life." 
"The  essential  change  was  our  regeneration  to  God.  Death 
is  a  greater  apparent  than  the  greater  real  change.  (John  v. 
24.)  Paul  therefore  speaks  of  the  former  as  only  a  removal 
from  one  habitation  to  another.  (2  Cor.  v.  1.)  Changing 
houses — not  persons  or  natures — nor  character." 

Dr.  Curtis  having;  become  a  constituent  member  of 
Ephesus  church,  organized  at  Limestone  Springs,  after  he 
settled  at  that  watering  place,  (and  subsequently  named 
Limestone  church)  was  appointed  a  delegate  with  other 
brethren  to  represent  the  church  and  make  application  for 
admission  into  the  Broad  River  Association,  which  amplica- 
tion was  made  accordingly  at  the  session  of  1847,  and  he  be- 
came a  member  of  that  body  and  frequently  attended  its 
sessions  while  he  lived.  At  the  session  of  1850  he  was 
chosen  Moderator  of  the  body,  and  he  presided  with  becom- 
ing dignity  to  the  satisfaction  of  all. 

At  the  session  of  1849  he  was  appointed  to  write  the 
annual  circular  letter,  and  again  in  1850  he  was  likewise  ap- 
pointed, which  letters  are  herewith  reproduced  : 

CHRISTIAN   COMMUNION". 

Upon  this  subject,  as  upon  the  the  kindred  one  of  Christian  Bap- 
tism, to  which  our  attention  was  last  year  directed,  the  same  intro- 
ductory remark  is  in  point.  There  have  appeared  of  late  so  many 
valuable  tracts  and  treatises  upon  it,  that  any  one  acquainted  with 
half  of  them  will  be  unwilling  to  add  to  their  numbers.  Both  are 
subjects  upon  which  it  is  difficult  to  write  briefly  to  and  good  pur- 
pose,  and   impossible  to  write  anything  new.     The  present  writer 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES,  309 

will  do  all  he  can,  however,  to  meet  the  wishes  of  his  brethren,  in 
comprising  what  may  be  useful  in  an  annual  Circular  Letter. 

Christian  Communion  may  be  regarded  in  three  principal  points 
of  view :  I.  Our  communion  with  Christ.  II.  Our  communion 
with  our  fellow  christians  at  large.  III.  Ecclesiastical  or  church 
communion. 

1.  Our  communion  with  Christ  is  clearly  the  foundation  upon 
which  every  other  view  of  this  subject  must  be  built.  Where  this 
is  not  real, and  Scrptural  exercise  (a  personal  fellowship  on  our  part, 
•"with  the  Father  and  with  His  son  Jesus  Christ,")  what  commun- 
ion or  scriptural  fellowship  can  we  offer  or  exercise  toward  any  fel- 
low man.  If  we  endeavor  to  exhibit  it  in  word  or  deed  we  shall  be 
"like  a  man"  truly,  "who,  without  a  foundation,  built  his  house 
upon  the  earth."  Or,  if  we,  being  christians,  expect  the  exercise  of 
Christian  Communion  toward  us,  by  those  who  are  not  themselves 
christians,  we  shall  be  disappointed,  and  may  be  well  described  in 
the  poet's  words,  as 

dropping  buckets  into  empty  wells, 

And  growing  old  with  drawing  nothing  up. 

Christians  are  brethren  because  the  Elder  Brother,  the  Son  of  God 
has  made  them,  individually  'free'  in  a  double  sense;  giving  them 
a  freedom  of  deliverance  from  the  bondage  of  sin,  and  a  freedom  of 
privilege,  or  peculiar  rights  in  his  Father's  house,  where  all  who 
thus  truly  enter,  abide  forever,  and  because  (as  in  the  case  of  all 
brotherhood)  they  are  individually  of  a  common  parentage;  "all 
the  children  of  God  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus."  They  are  admonished 
to  love  one  another  with  a  purity  and  fervor  peculiar  to  this  tie: 
"•'being  born  again,  not  of  corruptible  seed,  but  of  incorruptible ;  by 
the  wordof  God,  which  liveth  and  abideth  forever."  Another  motive 
to  this  intense  affection,  mentioned  in  the  same  connection,  is  the 
work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  their  hearts  and  lives.  "Seeing  ye  have 
purified  your  hearts  in  obeying  the  truth  through  the  Spirit."  All 
the  Holy  Trinity,  therefore,  concur  in  the  work  of  laying  deep  the 
foundations  of  Christian  Communion  in  the  individual  christian's 
heart.  They  are  an  essential  part  of  that  "mystery  of  God,  and  of 
the  Father,  and  of  Christ,"  which  this  man  cherishes  there,  under 
his  baptism  acknowledged,  and  "in  which  are  hid  all  the  treasures 
of  wisdom  and  knowledge."  The  close  connection  between  the 
communion  of  Saints,  and  this  individual  communion  with  heaven, 
is  in  modern  times  often  overlooked,  but  they  are  related  as  the  ef- 
fect to  its  cause,  as  the  stream  to  the  fountain,  as  the  beams  of  the 
morning  to  the  rising  sun;  the  one  cannot  be  without  the  other.  We 
are  to  love  the  brotherhood,"  or  fraternity  of  Christians  (which  is 
something  more  than  loving  particular  or  any  number  of  brethren) 
because  of  its  origin  in  the  fatherhood  or  paternity  of  God  ;  and 
both  ties  are  the  more  binding  because  our  understandings,  con- 
sciences, affections  and  will  are  all  consulted  and  engaged  from  the 
first,  in  the  function  of  both.  The  children  of  God,  by  faith,  we  are 
brethren,  as  no  natural  brethren  are,  by  choice,   and  hence,  surely 


310  BIOGBAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

the  more  distinctly  and  more  firmly  bound.  We  do  not  find  these 
great  truths  disputed  anywhere  among  sound  christians  ;  they  are 
only  neglected  and  too  little  felt.  But  they  establish,  in  every 
glance  at  them,  the  importance  of  an  individual  conversion  to  God, 
or  of  making  our  own  "calling  and  election  sure;"  and  the  equal 
importance  of  all  preferred  churches  being  composed  of  such  indi- 
vidual converts  only.  The  Christian  Communion  of  the  whole  can 
only  be  genuine,  as  genuine  personal  piety  prevails  in  every  mem- 
ber. 

Thus  much  for  the  Christianity  of  it ;  but  the  term  Communion 
is  one  of  which  we  should  have  definite  and  Scriptural  ideas.  It 
signifies,  for  all  practical  purposes,  the  same  as  "fellowship,"  and 
intends  a  joint  or  common  union,  either  in  action  or  in  feelings  and 
motives,  which  lead  to  action.  Thus  we  read  (1  Cor.  x.  16)  of  "the 
Communion  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ,"  meaning  an  union 
in  the  common  act  of  partaking  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  in  the 
passage  already  alluded  to  (1  John  i.  3)  of  "our  fellowship."  (the 
same  term  which  in  the  Corinthians  is  rendered  communion)  with  ' 
our  Heavenly  Father,  and  with  Christ,  where  also  the  writer  states 
that  he  was  anxious  for  his  brethren  to  have  a  similar  fellowship 
with  him  and  his  brother  apostles.  Here  it  clearly  intends  a  com. 
mon  union  in  feelings  and  motives.  The  two  passages  (from  1  Cor- 
and  1  John)  contain,  in  substance,  the  whole  doctrine  of  Christian 
Communion. 

That  with  the  Father  and  His  Son  is  first  in  the  order  of  import- 
ance, and  the  order  of  time  or  personal  engagements.  It  is  confined 
to  no  forms,  places,  or  seasons  of  divine  worship,  and  to  no  partic- 
ular species  of  worship  ;  while  it  is  "the  glory  in  the  midst"  of  the 
church  of  social  worshippers  (and  "a  wall  of  fire  round  about  him") 
it  is  even  more  the  great  attraction  and  characteristic  reward  of 
closet  religion,  or  all  the  christian's  personal  approaches  to  God.  It 
asks  for  no  witness,  "but  the  blessed  Spirit  within"  the  believer;  it 
tarries  for  no  created  soul  or  symbol  in  affording  him  comfort  ;  it 
begins  with  the  very  beginning  of  true  piety — grows  with  its  growth 
— is  more  continuous  and  uninterrupted  than  any  other  communion 
he  can  enjoy  on  earth  ;  follows  him  to  the  gates  of  heaven  and  opens 
them  for  him  as  he  approaches.  Paul  felt  its  power  and  profit  alike, 
only  in  different  degrees,  at  the  gate  of  Damascus,  when  he  besought 
the  Lord  thrice  for  his  thorn  in  the  flesh  to  be  removed,  and  when 
he  was  caught  up  to  the  third  Heaven.  It  was  anticipated,  and  in  a 
happy  measure  enjoyed  by  Abraham,  when  God  "called  him  alone," 
from  Chaldea;  by  Moses,  at  the  burning  bush;  by  David,  in  many  a 
solitary  cave  (inspiring  some  of  his  sweetest  psalms)  by  the  3  children 
in  the  fiery  furnace,  and  by  Daniel  in  the  lion's  den.  Old  testament 
saints  had  not  the  blessings  of  this  communion  with  the  Father  and 
the  Son,  either  so  distinctly  or  so  richly  as  they  may  now  be  ob- 
tained; but  whether  ten  men  in  a  generation  do  now  obtain  them  to 
the  degree  these  worthies  did,  may  be  doubtful,.  Without  doubt, 
when  the  Lord  looked  on  Peter  from  the  High  Priest's  bar  and  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  311 

went  out,  he  had  no  other  communion  with  heaven  or  earth  in  his 
penitence;  when  Stephen  looked  up  steadfastly  into  heaven,  while 
they  were  dashing  out  his  brains,  he  enjoyed  and  wanted  no  other 
as  the  reward  of  his  faith;  when  Paul  and  Silas  sang  together  in  the 
prison  at  Philippi,  it  was  this,  more  than  ought  beside,  that  was  the 
source  of  their  peace  and  joy,  and  when  the  Revelator  was  in  Patmo.i, 
this  it  was  which  bore  him  on  eagle's  wing's.  Such  are  a  few  Bible 
pictures  of  the  blessedness  of  this  communion.  Oh  !  for  more  honest 
desires  after  it,  more  Jacob  wrestlings  for  it,  on  each  of  our  parts  in- 
dividually !  Effectual  fervent  prayer  is  the  peculiar  means  of  grace 
belonging  to  it — the  Jacob's  ladder  of  this  heavenly  intercourse  with 
earth  in  all  ages. 

11.  Our  communion  with  our  fellow  christians  at  large  is  another 
delightful  view  of  this  subject.  Whenever  we  maditate  upon  it  we 
should  begin  with  the  prayer,  "Lord,  increase  our  faith  !"  for  it  has 
to  deal  with  a  vast  extent  of  christian  privileges  and  christian  duty. 
In  a  dark  or  cold  state  of  heart  we  shall  understand  very  little  of  it. 

Two  distinct  but  inseparable  branches  of  this  communion  are 
brought  forward  very  prominently  iu  the  New  Testament : 

The  saints  on  earth,  and  all  the  dead, 
But  one  communion  make  ;  ' 

All  join  in  Christ,  their  living  head, 
And  of  His  grace  partake. 

Here  we  sit  down  with  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob  in  the  king- 
dom of  God  ;  here  stand  around  us  the  goodly  fellowship  of  the  Apos- 
tles and  the  glorious  army  of  the  martyrs  ;  here  encircles  the  "great 
cloud"  of  all  the  faithful  witnesses  to  the  truth  in  the  past ;  the  whole 
blessed  company  having,  with  their  infinitely  varied  themes  of 
praise,  but  one  anxious  cry  or  prayer  as  to  the  future,  in  which  we 
have  many  more  interests  at  stake  than  they.  How  long,  O  "Lord, 
holy  and  true,  dost  Thou  not  judge  and  avenge  us?"  They  stoop 
from  their  repose  to  cheer  us  forward  and  onward,  to  offer  us  "the 
communion  of  their  love,  their  sympathy  and  their  example." 
Death  does  not  sever1  or  weaken  the  links  of  this  golden  chain. 
Rather  may  it  be  said  to  rivet  and  strengthen  them  as  each  success- 
ive believer  disappears  from  this  lower  world  and  is  drawn  upward. 
Out  of  it,  assuredly,  he  never  dies,  and  it  is  our  greatest  consolation 
respecting  all  that  depart  hence  in  the  Lord. 

May  we  not  here  touch,  with  caution,  on  a  Christian  Communion 
which  must  exist  between  the  church,  quick  and  dead,  and  tbose 
angelic  spirits  who  "are  sent  forth  to  minister"  unto  her?  They 
have  much  of  Christ,  our  Master's  honor  at  heart ;  "they  do  always 
behold  the  face  of  our  Father  in  heaven,"  and  thence  imbibe  all  the 
interest  which  their  noble  and  spotless  natures  can,  in  "the  little 
ones"  of  the  church.  It  is  given  as  a  reason  for  us  to  beware  of 
offending  "one  of  these."  Is  it  not  in  some  communion  of  spirit 
between  these  guardians,  the  wards  and  all  their  friends,  in  which 
we  ever  benefit  or  rightly  please  those  little  ones  ? 

But  there  is  a  commuuion  with  our  fellow-christians  at  large,  on 


312  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

earth,  which  involves  a  greater  union  of  privilege  and  duty.  Let 
us  contemplate  it  closely.  It  embraces  all  them  who  love  our  Lord 
Jesus  in  this  lower  world.  The  Savior  in  His  resurrection  manifest- 
ations went  to  the  weakest  and  most  sorrowful  (always  the  most 
faithful  of  His  friends)  first.  Let  us  be  followers  of  Him  in  this 
spirit. 

This  is  a  communion,  then,  between  all  the  weakest,  most  soli- 
tary and  most  despised  individual  believers  on  earth,  and  every  other 
believer,  with  "all  that  in  every  place  call  on  the  name  of  Jesus- 
Christ  our  Lord  ;"  "for  every  one  that  loveth  Him  that  begat,  lov- 
eth  him  also  that  is  begotten  of  Him."  It  is  a  communion  with 
believers  before  they  are  baptized,  and  the  foundation  of  allot"  which 
we  have  more  fully  made  with  them  afterwards.  Baptism,  essential 
as  we  shall  see  to  Church  Communion,  is  not  then  essential  to  this. 
It  is  far  more  proper  and  Scriptural  to  call  this  essential  to  baptism. 
The  thief  on  the  cross  died  in  this  communion  of  saints  ;  Cornelius 
and  his  household  enjoyed  it,  as  their  abundant  spiritual  gifts  testify, 
before  baptism ;  while  Simon  Magus,  a  baptized  man,  had  neither 
part  nor  lot  in  the  matter. 

Therefore  while  we  should  endeavor,  in  a  proper  spirit,  to  press 
upon  all  believers  to  be  baptized,  as  Ananias  found  it  necessary  even 
with  Paul  (Acts  xxii.  16 :)  if  they  are  but  believers  they  are  our 
brethren  ;  or  1  John  v.  1 :  (whosoever  believeth  that  Jesus  is  the 
Christ  is  born  of  God)  would  be  false;  and  there  is  a  need  of  closer 
brotherhood  among  all  those  who  hold  the  head  from  which  the  en- 
tire body  of  Christ,  by  joints  and  bands,  hath  nourishment  minis- 
tered. If  those  whom  we  judge  to  be  true  believers  will  not,  from 
whatever  cause  unite  with  us  in  christian  ordinances,  we  ought  to 
cultivate  a  feeling  of  union  with  them,  and  love  all  that  is  like 
Christ  in  them.  So  far  as  we  have  attaiued  to  one  belief  or  one  view 
of  things,  we  ought  to  walk  by  the  same  rule  and  mind  the  same 
things.  Satan  gloats  and  glories  over  all  the  divisions  of  real  chris- 
tians, and  baits  his  traps  and  nets  for  heedless  souls  with  our  strifes, 
—not  troubling  them  upon  the  point  of  what  they  are,  or  what  they 
are  worth. 

Our  points  which  God  hath  left  at  large 
How  fiercely  will  men  meet  aud  charge, 
No  combatants  are  stifter. 

These  divisions  make  and  keep  more  people  infidels  and  Roman 
Catholics  than  anything  besides  ;  infidels,  who  have  no  creed,  and 
Catholics,  who  are  choked  with  creeds,  being  made  friends — like 
Herod  and  Pontius  Pilate— when  they  can  make  the  most  of  all  the 
difficulties  of  Christ's  cause. 

A  bad  spirit  in  regard  to  such  divisions  has  certainly  abated 
among  Evangelical  christians  of  late  years  ;  so  that,  it  may  truly  be 
contended,  we  are  not  so  divided  in  anythiug  important,  as  are  many 
equal  numbers  of  political,  professional  and  mercantile  men  in  regard 
to  their  pursuits.  Baptists,  and  our  brethren,  the  Presbyterian  and 
Methodists,  exhibit  something  much  more  in   principal  alike,  even 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  313 

with  regard  to  church  government  than  do  the  wisest  politicians  at 
this  time  in  respect  to  the  government  of  the  country  ;  and  we  are 
all  more  agreed  about  what  sin  is,  than  are  the  physicians  about 
what  cholera  is.  We  would  not  be  misunderstood  here.  More  love 
of  peace  and  more  love  of  truth  too,  are  everywhere  wanted.  Some 
people  seem  as  if  they  would  wish  to  see  the  Lord's  vineyard  a  field 
of  endless  strife,  and  the  coat  of  Christ  forever  rent,  even  among 
his  friends.  Others,  and  good  people,  too,  are  weak  enough  to  con- 
sider the  divided  state  of  those  who  profess  the  truth,  a  blessing — 
something  in  itself  desirable.  It  never  can  be  so,  and  only  those 
can  think  it  so  who  are  of  ''little  faith,"  in  both  the  full  and  close 
union  which  there  has  been  and  which  there  shall  yet  be  among  all 
true  christians.  Once  were  they  all  one,  and  were  found  acting  to- 
gether as  one  throughout  the  world —one  in  sentiment  and  one  in 
profession,  to  a  degree  which,  at  our  distance  in  time  and  feeling 
from  such  union,  we  find  it  difficult  to  believe.  There  was  but  one 
Lord  owned  among  them— one  faith  in  the  Lord — one  baptism  into 
the  faith.  And  if  we  can  think  our  Savior  knew  what  was  in  this 
respect  desirable,  and  the  reason  for  its  being  so,  His  own  words  will 
set  the  matter  of  the  future  union  of  His  people  at  rest  with  us. 
'That  they  all  may  be  one,  as  Thou,  Father,  art  in  me,  and  I  in 
Thee  ;  that  the  Avorld  may  believe  Thou  hast  sent  me."  The  harvest 
of  the  world,  then,  will  not  be  reaped  while  Evangelical  christians 
— wherever  the  fault  is— are  so  much  divided  as  now  they  are.  It  is 
worthy  our  deep  and  frequent  recollection.  Not,  however,  is  this 
stated  here  (nor  to  be  at  any  time  referred  to)  to  produce  indifference 
to  any  duty  or  to  any  part  of  divine  truth  in  love,  and  know  how  so 
to  defend  it  that  men  of  no  religion  shall  not  be  strengthened  in  their 
infidelity  by  our  unhappy  way  of  enforcing  what  we  believe.  It 
often  arises  from  the  inferior  motives  of  pride  and  envy;  because 
troubled  streams  bring  up  straws,  and  men  ot  straw — men  who  love 
to  be  at  the  head  of  little  parties ;  men  of  small  minds,  but  who 
still  know  very  well  that  if  christians  were  more  agreed,  their  par- 
ticular influence  would  be  abolished;  that  perhaps  tfiey  would  be 
"snuffed  out"  as  small  lights  no  longer  wanted,  and  their  party  be 
first  dissolved. 

We  could  and  should  therefore  promote  greater  union  among 
Evangelical  christians  in  three  ways.  1.  By  endeavoring  every- 
where to  excite  and  maintain  a  higher  regard  for  the  great  points  on 
which  we  are  all  at  present  agreed.  A  few  may  be  mentioned.  The 
entire  personal  depravity  of  man  ;  the  essential  divinity  and  indis- 
pensable mediation  of  Christ ;  justification  by  faith  in  His  sufferings 
and  death  alone  ;  the  necessity  of  regeneration  by  the  Holy  Spirit ; 
and  of  the  fruits  of  the  spirit  in  good  works,  to  prove  that  we  have 
the  spirit,  together  with  their  awful  sanctions  of  eternal  life  and 
death.  2.  By  meditating  frequently  and  devoutly  on  the  vast 
number  of  souls  daily  lost  through  not  receiving — many  through 
sheer  ignorance  of— these  saving  truths.  3.  By  more  prayer,  hearty 
prayer,  and  occasional  worship  (at  opportunities  providentially  pre- 
40 


814  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

sented)  with  such  as  love  our  Lord,  but  follow  not  with  us  in  all 
things.  There  have  been  seasons  of  revival  in  which  Evangelical 
christians  have  thus  acted  profitably  together.  Evangelical  minis, 
ters  thus  very  properly  and  profitably  exchange  pulpits  in  our  larger 
towns  and  cities.  Perhaps  revivals  are  still  more  profitably  con- 
ducted where  there  is  an  entire  agreement  of  sentiment,  but  there 
can  be  no  question  that  God  has  been  with  and  prospered  a  combined 
effort  of  two  or  more  denominations.  He  may  still  be  phased  to  do 
so.  We  should  be  ready  for  every  such  good  work,  and  then  be 
watchful  that  the  spirit  of  proselytism  to  a  party  which  our  Lord  has 
wisely  condemned  (Matt,  xxiii.  15,)  do  not  mar  our  efforts  or  those 
of  others  for  the  cause  of  Gcd.  All  should  retain  the  love  of  all 
truth,  and  yet  know  how  to  speak  such  truths  only  as  are  in  season 
and  all  such  in  love.  3.  We  come  to  our  third  view  of  the  subject — 
Ecclesiastical  or  Church  Communion.  We  invite  to  the  Lord's  table 
in  every  regular  church,  brethren  and  sisters  of  our  own  faith  and 
order.  It  can  easily  be  proved,  we  think  from  Scripture,  that  this 
is  right,  and  teaches,  when  properly  understood,  all  that  is  right  in 
the  case.  Here  we  express  and  enjoy  the  full  communion  of  saints, 
all  of  which  we  have  in  this  letter  already  treated — communion  with 
the  Lord,  communion  with  those  who  love  Him,  and  communion 
in  all  those  great  purposes  for  which  He  has  established  a  church  on 
earth,  viz  :  for  the  building  up  of  saints  "on  their  most  holy  faith  ;" 
for  maintaining  undivided  allegiance  and  obedience  to  Himself  in 
doctrines  and  ordinances,  and  for  gathering  those  sheep  of  His  not 
yet  brought  into  the  fold. 

Perhaps  we  may,  Avith  propriety,  glance  here  for  a  moment  at 
the  communion  of  churches  and  associations.  The  last  is  our  most 
extended  exercise  of  full  christian  communion,  unless  we  take  into 
view  the  conventions  of  each  State,  which  may  be  called  a  commu- 
nion of  associations.  Brethren  of  our  faith  and  order  alone,  can  be 
delegated  to  any  of  these  bodies  /  they  represent  the  various  churches 
and  associations  for  particular  purposes,  the  principal  business  trans- 
acted being  of  a  missionary  character,  domestic  or  foreign,  and  two 
undisputed  good  results  having  accrued.  The  spiritual  state  of  the 
churches  has  been  fully  made  known  ;  their  increase  rejoicing  all 
the  friends  of  Zion  within  the  circle  embraced,  while  their  sorrows 
meet  with  sympathy  and  aid  ;  but  what  is  more  !  many  a  dark  cor- 
ner of  the  country  has  been  explored  by  the  faithful  missionary  of 
feeble  associations,  and  new  churches  organized  where  the  name  of 
a  church  was  before  scarcely  known.  Churches  will  do  well,  as  we 
believe,  to  cultivate  an  increased  freedom  and  fullness,  and  faithful- 
ness of  intercourse  with  each  other  at  these  associations.  It  is  to  be 
observed,  however,  that  both  of  these  larger  bodies,  Associations  and 
Conventions,  are  of  modern  institution  ;  they  cannot  be  traced,  in 
their  present  form,  to  the  New  Testament.  Though  they  may  use- 
fully advise  in  church  difficulties,  they  have  no  powers  of  church 
government.  Our  attachment  to  them,  therefore,  should  be  simply 
that  which  we  owe  to  the  plans  of  good  and  wise  men  ;  they  are  not, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  315 

in  the  same  sense,  as  all  church  organizations  of  individual  helievers 
— part  of  the  revealed  will  and  counsel  of  God. 

To  these  church  organizations,  then,  we  now  direct  our  regard. 
Here,  in  all  the  ordinances  and  commandments  of  the  Lord,  He  ex- 
pects His  people  to  be  walking  ;  and  before  we  discuss  the  pleas  that 
have  been  made  for  introducing  here  some  christians  who  cannot 
walk  with  us  in  all  Christ's  ordinances,  it  would  be  well  to  consider 
the  state  of  those  who  can  and  do.  Do  not  they  need  the  word  of 
admonition  to  strengthen  and  tighten  the  cords  of  christian  broth- 
erhood among  themselves?  Is  there  not  much  wandering  from 
church  to  church,  in  search  of  that  Spiritual  food  which  each  church 
should  try  to  provide  for  the  sustenance  of  its  own  members  within 
itself?  Does  not  much  laxity  of  discipline  appear  occasionally? 
and  too  much  satisfaction  at  the  mere  increase  of  members  without 
a  due  watchfulness  for  the  increase  of  spirituality  ?  Much  of  length- 
ening the  cords  without  strengthening  the  stakes  of  Israel's  tents  ? 
Observers  who  have  looked  into  those  small  churches  of  some  years 
since,  that  are  now  become  large  churches — and  the  lesson  may  be 
useful  to  all  that  are  becoming  large — find  that  often  as  numbers  in- 
crease, brotherly  love  seems  to  diminish  /  so  that  the  period  of  warm 
attachment  and  close  union  appears  to  be  that  of  the  youth  and 
small  numbers  of  such  churches.  ■  Why  this  is,  it  might  be  well  to 
inquire.  At  the  beginning  it  was  not  so,  says  the  good  Book.  The 
largest  churches  of  the  New  Testament  were  some  of  the  warmest 
and  noblest  for  christian  affection  and  christian  exertion.  Let  the 
example  of  those  at  Jerusalem  [the  mother  of  us  all]  and  at  Antioch 
[her  eldest  born  Gentile  daughter]  be  well  studied  and  imitated  ! 
What  unparalleled  love  and  unity  and  personal  sacrifices  in  the  one  ! 
What  a  visible  abundance  of  the  grace  of  God  ;  what  bold  exertions 
to  send  forth  the  Gospel ;  what  great  joy  and  great  gifts  in  the  other ! 
We  can  only  here  refer  to  these  pattern  churches,  and  pray  that  the 
constituency  of  all  our  associations  may  strive  earnestly  after  copy- 
ing such  models. 

And  now  would  we  briefly  discuss  those  pleas  for  a  more  open 
communion  in  our  churches,  to  which  we  have  alluded  ;  or  for  the 
admission  of  some  who  profess  an  unity  of  faith  with  us,  but  not  of 
order,  at  the  Lord's  table. 

Those  who  have  most  ably  advocated  such  a  communion  admit 
that  it  te  a  novelty  for  which  they  contend  ;  or  that  while  it  might, 
as  they  suppose,  promote  the  faith,  it  would  not  be  according  to  the 
order  of  the  New  Testament  thus  to  act.  Their  language  here  is 
very  plain,  and  should  be  well  weighed.  The  members  of  the  prim- 
itive church  consisted  only  of  such  as  were  baptized.  He  who  had 
refused  to  be  baptized  would,  at  that  period,  have  been  justly  debar- 
red from  receiving  the  Sacramental  elements;  would  have  been 
deemed  unworthy  of  christian  communion,  have  been  undoubtedly 
repelled  as  a  contumacious  schismatic,  so  says  the  celebrated  Mr. 
Hall.  "I  freely  admit  that  it  is  clear,  after  the  institution  of  baptism 
by  our  Lord,  no  person  who  refused  to  be  baptized  was  ever  admit- 


316  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

ted  in  any  christian  church  to  that  [the  Lord's]  Supper,"  writes 
Mr.  Noel.  These  two  gentlemen  being  the  ablest  advocates  this  in- 
novation has  found  among  Baptists — men  of  whom  it  may  be  said, 
that  if  ability  and  character  of  the  highest  discription,  could  succeed 
in  establishing  error  for  truth,  these  were  men  that  had  not  failed 
to  do  it. 

Pedo-Baptist  of  the  greatest  learning  and  ability,  make  the  same 
concessions.  Dr.  Wall,  the  most  distinguished  Episcopal  advocate 
of  infant  baptism  :  "no  church  ever  gave  the  communion  to  persons 
before  thev  were  baptized."  Dr.  Doddridge :  "it  is  certain,  so  far  as 
our  knowledge  of  primitive  antiquity  extends,  no  un baptized  person 
received  the  Lord's  Supper."  Dr.  Griffin — "I  agree  with  the  advo- 
cates of  close  communion,  that  we  ought  not  to  commune  with  those 
who  are  not  baptized."  Other  quotations  equally  strong,  might  be 
made  from  able  writers. 

At  this  point,  then,  we  conceive  that  this  whole  matter  might 
be  disposed  of.  If  the  Apostles  thus  acted  we  are  safe,  and  are  justi- 
fied in  following  them  :  if  they  "rejoiced"  in  beholding  the  "order" 
as  well  as  the  faith,  of  the  primitive  churches,  and  write  fully  as 
much,  perhaps,  about  one  as  the  other,  if  in  particular  they  "praise" 
such  churches  as  "kept  the  ordinances  as  they  were  delivered  to" 
them,  what  should  be  our  highest  ambition  as  to  order  and  ordi- 
nances, but  to  say  with  their  true  and  immediate  successors — "So 
did  the  Apostles,  and  so  do  we. 

For  this  we  are  reproached  as  "strict  communionists,"  upon 
which  two  remarks  may  be  made.  1.  If  communion  is  regarded  as 
an  act  of  obedience  to  Christ,  which  undoubtedly  (while  it  is  also  a 
high  privilege)  it  should  be — the  obligation  to  it  arising  from  His 
express  command,  "Do  this"— strictness  is  no  just  reproach,  if  too 
common  an  one,  in  regard  to  obedience.  The  good  and  faithful  ser- 
vant, or  child,  must  be  strictly  an  obedient  one.  2.  In  the  case  before 
us  we  are  no  stricter  in  our  view  of  what  is  obedience,  than  the 
larger  portion  of  those  who  thus  reproach  our  views,  nor  so  strict  as 
many  of  them  ;  that  is,  no  regular  Christian  Church,  Protestant, 
Greek,  or  Roman  Catholic  which  teaches  and  practices  in  any  way 
the  two  ordinances,  ever  receives  persons  to  the  Lord's  Supper  who 
have  not  been  baptized.  A  case  is  related  by  our  Bro.  Taylor,  of 
Richmond,  The  Episcopal  minister  of  a  church  in  Philadelphia, 
about  to  distribute  the  elements  of  the  communion  service,  observed 
at  the  altar,  so-called,  a  pious  friend  whom  he  knew  to  have  been 
all  his  life  a  Quaker.  Happy  in  many  respects  to  see  him  there  he 
inquired,  in  alow  voice,  if  he  had  been  already  baptized,  the  Quaker 
answering  "No."  Then  I  cannot  administer  to  you  this  ordinance, 
said  the  clergyman  ;  and  who  can  deny  that  he  acted  consistently, 
or  that  thus  would  have  acted  any  regular  Presbyterian,  Congrega- 
tionalist  or  Methodist,  as  well  as  Baptist  minister  ?  But  our  practice 
is,  in  some  respects,  not  so  strict  as  that  of  the  body  of  our  Evangel- 
ical Pedo-Baptist  brethren.  They  require  evidence,  after  baptism, 
of  a  faith  that  has  changed  the  heart  ;  the  christian  minister,  by  a 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  317 

fhappy  inconsistency,  prevails  over  the  Pedo-Baptist,  aud  cannot  ad- 
onit  to  the  Lord's  Supper,  numbers  the  far  greater  portion  of  those 
whom  he  has  baptized.  This  appears,  however,  a  piece  of  unac- 
countable injustice  to  his  baptized  friends.  The  reproach  *  of  being 
strict  communionists,  which  we  upon  the  whole  regard  as  a  happy 
one  (1  Pet.  iv.  14)  for  us,  is  only  a  strangely  ignorant  and  often  a 
mere  vulgar  and  unthought  of  one,  but  it  does  not  at  all  touch  the 
■merits  of  this  question. 

Our  remaining  observations  shall  be  directed  to  these  merits  ;  or 
to  1st,  Why  we  cannot  admit  the  unbaptized  to  the  Table  of  the 
Lord?  2nd,  Why  we  cannot  admit  the  unbaptized  {^s  we  etill  re- 
gard them)  to  the  Table  of  the  Lord,  though  they  consider  themselves 
baptized?  3rd.  Popular  objections  against  our  course.  4th,  What  is 
and  must  be  the  tendency  of  an  opposite  practice  in  the  case? 

1st.  We  cannot  admit  the  unbaptized,  as  we  regard  them,  to  the 
Lord's  Table,  because  the  fair  construction  of  our  Lord's  commission 
and  the  practice  of  the  Aposeles  alike  forbid  it. 

(i.)  Christ  requires  the  unbaptized,  though  a  believer  and  be- 
cause he  is  a  believer,  first  of  all  things  to  be  baptized.  The  com- 
mand to  teach  and  baptize,  in  His  commission  involves,  of  course, 
the  corresponding  duties  among  our  people  of  learning  and  being 
baptized.  It  prescribes  also  the  order  in  which  these  duties  are  to 
be  performed.  Ministers  are  to  teach  so  as  to  make  disciples  [see 
margin.]  2dT  Baptize.  3d.  Then  to  teach  all  other  things  command- 
ed by  Christ.  Richard  Baxter's  language  respecting  the  remarkably 
specific  orders  of  the  duties  enjoined  was  quoted  in  our  Letter  on 
Baptism,  to  which  subject  it  applies  as  well  as  to  this.  We  need 
only  to  add  here  the  following :  'Tf  any  should  be  so  imprudent  as  to 
say  it  is  not  the  meaning  of  Christ — that  baptism  should  immedi- 
ately, without  delay,  follow,  discipleship,  they  are  comforted  by  the 
-constant  example  of  Scripture  ;  "so  that,  I  dare  say,"  he  continues, 
"this  will  be  without  doubt  with  all  consistent,  rational  and  impar- 
tial christians. ';  Robert  Hall,  the  great  modern  advocate  of  mixed 
communion  before  mentioned,  says  that  baptism  possesses  a  orior 
claim  to  the  attention  of  the  christian  convert,  and  that  to  receive 
the  Lord's  Supper  before  baptism,  is  to  invert  [we  should  say  pervert]  . 
the  natural  order  of  His  Sacraments  ;  at  least  none  such  will  we  obey. 

(ii.)  The  undisputed  examples  or  conduct  of  the  Apostles  and 
primitive  churches,  as  Baxter  says,  point  in  this  same  direction. 
Wherever  the  christian  ordinances  are  spoken  of  together,  and  men's 
first  belief  of  the  whole — they  believed  were  baptized  and  continued 
in  the  Apostles'  doctrine  and  fellowship.  Such  is  the  account  of  the 
Pentecostal  season  of  the  gathering  of  the  Samaritan  church,  of  the 
baptism  of  Paul,  and  of  his  labors  at  Corinth  and  at  Thessalonica. 

*It  is  precisely  of  the  character  of  the  word  christian,  as  used 
[Acts  xi.  26,]  upon  which  no  one  can  now  decide  whether  it  were 
first  given  reproachfully,  or  whether  it  was  assumed  by  the  disciples 
as  an  honor.  It  implied,  in  either  case,  the  most  honorable  of  facts 
— the  "close''  union  of  his  disciples  with  Christ. 


318  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

The  only  point  in  question  seems  to  be  whether  the  New  Testament; 
doctrine  and  examples  are  sufficient  and  binding  authority  in  the 
case.  So  say  strict  Baptists,  and  therefore  so  much  they  act.  The 
examples  of  the  Apostles  and  the  first  churches  are  at  once  a  vital 
branch  of  all  that  is  authority  here,  and  the  best  possible  comment 
on  what  they  understood  our  Saviour's  commission  to  mean. 

2.  We  cannot  admit  the  unbaptized,  as  we  still  regard  them,  to- 
the  Table  of  the  Lord,  though  they  consider  themselves  baptized, 
because  other  men's  consciences  are  to  regulate  their  views  and  prac- 
tice of  duty,  and  our  consciences  are  to  regulate  our  views  and  prac- 
tice. We  believe  one  thing  about  what  is  baptism,  which  all  anti- 
quity agrees  with  us  should  come  first,  and  they  another,  and  are 
taught  to  regard  infant  baptism,  when  even  [as  in  the  Greek  church] 
immersion  is  used  as  a  nullity — wanting  entirely  in  the  inward  and 
spiritual  grace  that  which,  above  all  things,  makes  baptism  valid. 
Such  a  baptism  is  then,  in  our  eyes,  no  valid  baptism — not  the  New 
Testament  ordinance  at  all.  Nor  can  subsequent  belief,  as  we  see, 
put  life  into  this  dead  form.  Baptism  was  instituted  to  express  a 
personal  repentance  and  faith.  It  is  the  symbol  of  faith  and  repent- 
ance. It  never  did  express  such  repentance  and  faith  in  the  case 
supposed — was  no  such  symbol.  Baptism  further  symbolizes,  at  the 
time  of  receiving  it,  union  by  faith  with  Christ,  and,  specifically,  in 
His  death  and  resurrection.  It  could  in  no  way  express  such  union 
in  an  infant's  case,  who  can  have  no  thought  about  these  matters. 
It  is  essentially  also  an  expression  of  personal  intentions  and  pur- 
poses or  holy  views  Intention  may  enter  so  materially  into  various 
and  public  transactions  that  the  want  of  it  vitiates  them  altogether. 
A  man  cannot  make  a  will  without  intending  to  make  a  will.  He 
can  not  contract  a  marriage  without  meaning  to  contract  marriage. 
Nor  can  he,  as  we  read  in  the  New  Testament,  be  the  subject  of  a 
valid  christian  baptism  without  intending  a  valid  christian  baptism; 
cannot  contract  the  regular  vows  of  baptism,  without  " be rbre  those 
vows  making  inquiry,"  and  meaning  to  beep  them.  There  is  a  viti- 
ating want  of  purpose  and  intention  in  the  whole  transaction  of  in- 
fant baptism.  The  child  makfs  no  vows,  for  it  has  no  purposes.  He 
is  at  the  time  bound  to  nothing.  The  whole  service  of  God,  freely 
chosen,  is  what  baptism  binds  us  to, — a  thing  impossible  in  the  in- 
fant's case. 

Although,  then,  the  conscientious  believer  in  his  own  infant 
baptism  as  valid,  is  not  to  be  classed  with  the  dernier  of  all  baptism, 
we  see  not  how  his  belief  can  alter  the  facts  in  this  case,  or  entitle 
him  to  the  privileges  grounded  on  valid  baptism.  His  having  been 
submitted,  while  altogether  unconscious  of  the  transaction  to  an  un- 
authorized rite,  can  avail  him  nothing  in  claiming  authorized  privi- 
leges. On  his  own  testimony,  however,  to  a  subsequent  conversion, 
this  rite  has  been  demonstrated,  in  his  case,  to  have  been  entirely 
unavailing.  All  the  vows  made  for  him  have  been  broken  ;  every 
pledge  of  his  consecration  to  God  violated.  Since  this  alleged  bap- 
tism or  professed  death  unto  sin  he  has  been  entirely  alive  to  it ;   he 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  319 

baa  contracted  ibe  whole  of  hie  personal  guilt ;  gone  greedily  into 
sin,  and  become  so  much  its  subject  and  servant  as  to  be  "free"  alto- 
gether, as  the  Apostle  writes,  "from  righteousness,''  en  system  op- 
posed to  all  its  claims.  It  seems  preposterous  to  us  to  admit  saving 
power  or  any  spiritual  virtue  in  that  which  has  been  followed  uni- 
foimly  by  such  carnal  and  condemnatory  issues.  If  it  was  not  a 
nullity  i.t  the  time,  its  uses — if  we  believe  in  total  depravity  alter- 
wards— have  all  been  totally  annihilated.  We  may  here  touch  the 
case  of  those  who  have  been  admitted  to  the  church  by  sprinkling 
or  pouring,  or  a  confession  of  their  faith.  It  is  well  known  that 
Baptists  consider  immersion  as  essential  to  baptism.  These  parties 
are  in  the  position  of  those  who  have  meant  to  execute  a  legal  deed, 
but  have  executed  it  illegally.  Perhaps  the  right  number  of  wit- 
nesses to  the  signature  of  a  will  may  illustrate  the  case.  If  this  is 
wanting,  and  the  testator  alive,  the  will  must  be  executed  again  to 
convey  the  property.  In  its  present  state  it  would  convey  none. 
The  informality  is  fatal ;  the  whole  instrument,  in  its  present  state, 
is  a  nullity.  A  command  to  baptize  is  a  command  to  immerse,  as 
we  hold,  and  of  course  for  the  candidate  to  be  immersed.  He  who 
has  not  been  immersed  has  not  obeyed  this  command.  The  inform- 
ality has  been  fatal  —the  so-named  baptism  a  nullity.  A  want  of 
form  is  held  rationally  to  destroy  all  the  force  of  a  form  on  many 
important  occasions. 

As,  therefore,  not  his  own  convictions  only  of  being  a  true  be- 
liever, but  evidence  of  our  conviction  is  required  before  we  can  sat- 
isfactorily baptize  the  candidate  ;  so  that  which  is  deemed  by  us  a 
valid  baptism,  we  feel  bound  to  reemire  before  the  candidate  for 
communion  can  be  admitted  to  the  Lord's  Supper.  Our  firm  con- 
viction is  that  no  servant  of  the  Lord,  or  His  church,  however  pious 
and  learned,  has  any  legislative  authority  in  the  matter,  of  course 
none  to  dispense  with  the  law  of  Christ  in  regard  to  it.  All  are 
"under  the  law  of  Christ." 

Popular  objections  to  our  course,  are: 

1.  It  is  bigoted  and  Sectarian,  This  is  doubtless  an  availing  cry,  * 
but  is  it  a  fair  one  in  this  case?  Bigotry,  regarded  mildly,  is  exces- 
sive attachment  to  the  minor  parts  of  a  creed.  But  the  charge  takes 
for  granted  what  we  entirely  deny.  In  our  view,  a  great  and  im- 
portant institution  of  Jesus  Christ  is  concerned — the  initiatory  ordi- 
nance of  His  church,  one  without  which  no  party  of  Christians, 
except  a  small  number  in  modern  times  (the  Quakers  and  Open 
Communion  Baptist)  have  ever  attempted  to  organize  a  church. 
For  the  same  reason,  our  conduct  cannot  be  sectarian.  The  point 
at  issue  regards  not  the  mere  upholding  of  the  peculiarities  of  a  di- 
vision of  the  church  ;  our  principle,  that  of  not  receiving  the  unbap- 
tized  into  the  church,  involves  the  most  elemental  views  of  the 
Christian  community.  It  has  never  before  been  alleged  that  bap- 
tism can  be  overlooked  in  the  gathering  of  a  church.  That  cannot 
be  sectarian,  in  an  obnoxious  sense,  which  has  been  the  the  com- 
mon sentiment  of  the  orthoelox  throughout  Christendom  in  all  ages. 


320  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

2,  But  you   exclude  christians  of  acknowledged  eminense   i» 
piety  from  the  Lord's- Table.     Have  eminently  pious  men,  then,  no> 
unreasonable  or  unscriptural  prejudices?    Or  are  we  not  mildly  to> 
withstand  "Peter"  when  he  is  "to  be  blamed."    What  leading  chris- 
tian practice  has  not  been  opposed  or  declined  by  men  of  otherwise 
pious  character?    The  observance  of  the  Sabbath,   public  prayer, 
preaching,  the  circulation  and  study  of  the  Scriptures,   the   celebra- 
tion of  the  Lord's  Supper,  as  a  wholeandin  part  ?    The  whole  Rom- 
ish church  are  contending  for  the  entire  omission  of  the  wTine  in  the 
case  of  the  laity.    And  must  we  not  admit  that  eminently  pious  persons- 
have  been  found  in  that  church,  both  before  and  since  the  Reforma- 
tion ?     Wycliffe,    Tyndale,   Sir    Thomas  Moore,   Fenelon,    Pascal, 
Francis  Xavier  might  here  be  shown  to  have  high  claims  to  that 
character.     But  our  space  and  time  forbid.     We  would  by  no  means- 
exclude  by  any  sentence  of  ours,  all  the  Popes  themselves  from  the 
kingdom  of  God.     But  what  of  this?    Would  Paul  have  permitted 
the  half  communion   of  the  Papal  church  to  be  recognized  as  the 
Lord's  Supper?    Or  would  he   have  communed  therein  with  the 
Pope,   or  Wycliff ,  or  Tyndale,  or  Fenelon  ?    All  sound  Protestants- 
will  say  no.    That  church  had  changed  the  ordinance  from  what 
the  Apostle  had   left  it,  and  he  would  have  left  them  as  we  have 
done.     Neither,  as  we  believe,   would  he  have  recognized  the  half 
baptism,  so  to  speak,  of  the  Pedo- Baptists,  or  have  given  it  the  kind 
of  standing  which  a    mixed   communion   would   in   the  christian 
church. 

3.  But  you  acknowledge  the  brotherhood  of  Pedo-Baptists,  and 
avail  yourselves  sometimes  of  their  ministry,  yet  refuse  the  whole 
of  the  Lord's  Supper.  We  regard  Evangelical  Pedo-Baptists  as  our 
brethren  in  Christ;  but,  brethren,  in  respect  to  ordinances,- walking 
disorderly,  and  therefore  we  obey  an  Apostolic  admonition  in  with- 
drawing from  them  in  their  administration  of  ordinances.  Of  the 
ministry  of  our  Pedo-Baptist  brethren  we  sometimes  avail  ourselves, 
because  we  find  them  preaching  Christ.  In  the  irregular  preaching 
of  Christ  we  find  an  Apostle  rejoicing.  Phil.  i.  18.  Preaching,  more- 
over, is  not  necessarily  connected  with  church  organization  ;  it  may 
be  conducted  in  or  out  of  the  pale  of  the  church.  Apollos  is  an  elo- 
quent man,  mighty  in  the  Scriptures,  and  taught  diligently  the 
things  of  the  Lord,  when  he  oniy  knew  the  way  of  the  Lord  imper- 
fectly as  to  baptism,  as  do  our  Pedo-Baptist  friends,  we  think.  See 
Acts  xviii.  25.  In  hearing  preaching  we  feel,  again,  that  we  can 
separate  the  human  testimony  from  the  word  of  God.  We  may  re- 
ceive or  reject,  but  to  recognize  a  known  unscriptural  ordinance  like 
infant  baptism,  or  omit  a  known  scriptural  one  [in  our  view]  like 
believers'  baptism,  is  obviously  different.  We  accept  thankfully  the 
teachings  of  any  man  who  can  instruct  us,  as  can  many  of  the  Pedo- 
Baptists  in  the  things  concerning  God's  kingdom ;  and  will  not  de- 
prive ourselves  of  the  great  satisfaction  and  advantages  we  derive 
from  acting  with  them,  so  far  as  we  are  agreed.  But  we  feel  con- 
strained, when   they  become  irregular  as  to  ordinances— unscriptu- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  821 

ral,  as  we  believe— in  their  administrations  of  both  baptism  and  tbe 
Lord's  Supper,  to  halt;  and  as  Paid  and  Barnabas,  on  a  less  occa- 
sion, to  part ;  because,  greatly  as  we  love  our  Pedo-Baptist  friends, 
Christ  and  His  cause  we  love  better. 

4.  Tendencies  of  the  new  system.  Each  of  the  ordinances  is  a 
positive  institution,  wholly  originating  in  and  dependent  on  the 
will  of  the  legislator.  Destroy  one  [as  we  shall  show  this  system 
tends  to]  and  in  the  vital  force  of  its  obligation  you  assail  the  other. 
We  receive  the  sacred  elements  of  the  Lord's  Supper  in  both  kinds, 
and  we  administer  one  before  the  other  uniformly,  because  thus  the 
Apostles  received  the  ordinance  "of  the  Lord."  The  Papists  have 
much  to  say  about  a  whole  Christ  being  received  in  the  bread,  and 
we  could  prove  no  material  error  to  be  taught  in  administering  the 
wine  before  the  bread  ;  but  should  we  reject  all  the  Papistical  reas- 
onings about  the  former?  That  is  right  to  be  done  here,  and  only 
that  which  the  Lord  has  commanded. 

The  new  system  throws  all  things  out  of  place  in  the  relation  of 
the  christian  ordinances  to  each  other.  It  would  displace  them, 
avowedly  from  their  relative  position.  But  shall  we  thus  improve 
them  ?  Shall  we  not  corrupt  each  in  turn,  and  give  an  anti-christian 
prominence  to  one  or  the  other?  Already  when  this  point  of  a 
mixed  communion  is  urged,  the  Lord's  Supper  is  dwelt  upon  and 
magnified  out  of  all  due  proportion.  It  is  at  least  made  a  frequent 
substitute  for  all  other  tokens  of  christian  charity.  You  can  not 
love  the  Pedo-Baptist  brethren,  it  will  be  rashly  charged,  because 
you  cannot  meet  them  at  the  Lord's  Table.  To  this  it  would  seem 
to  be  more  than  a  sufficient  reply  They  cannot  love  me  as  a  brother, 
or  they  would  meet  me  at  the  sacramental  water,  but  I  find  other 
tokens  of  love  to  them  prescribed,  consistent  with  my  obedience  to 
Christ,  and  in  them  I  will  seek  to  excel. 

It  is  to  magnify  the  Lord's  Supper  out  of  due  proportion,  when 
we  insist  that  this  blessed  feast  is  exclusively  the  memorial  of  Christ's 
death.  Baptism  is  such  equally.  And  when  we  speak  of  partaking 
the  Lord's  Supper  as  the  chief  token  of  christian  love  and  unity.  1. 
It  is  a  token  of  love  and  unity  among  christians,  but  this  is  not  its 
primary  or  chief  intent,  but  to  symbolize  our  union  with  Christ. 
Ye  are  all  one  bread  and  one  body,  forasmuch  as  ye  all  are  partakers 
of  that  one  bread  (Christ,)  do  this  in  remembrance  of  me.  Over- 
looking this  essential  order  of  the  affections  symbolized,  serious  mis- 
takes may  be  made.  2.  Nor  was  the  Apostle's  fellowship  chiefly  in 
the  Lord's  Supper,  but  in  prayer  and  praise,  the  hospitable  enter- 
tainment of  the  church,  and  the  fraternal  relief  of  the  wants  of  all. 
Fraternal  devotion  and  fraternal  charities  of  every  kind  were  at  least 
as  conspicuous  in  the  best  days  of  the  church,  and  in  these  are  we 
one  with  all  who  love  our  Lord. 

But  the  tendency  of  administering  the  Lord's  Supper  to  be  bap- 
tized and  unbaptized  indifferently,  is  to  the  extinction  of  believers' 
baptism,  and  indeed  of  all  baptism.  This  may  readily  be  made  ap- 
parent. Establish  a  right  of  the  unbaptized  to  the  Lord's  Table,  and 
41 


322  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

you  establish  their  right  to  every  privilege  of  God's  house,  What 
can  you  consistently  withhold  ?  and  ponder  the  terms  on  which  you 
do  this.  These  two  are  the  only  positive  institutions  or  ordinances 
o!"  the  church,  in  natural  order,  as  all  hold  baptism  is  first.  It  must 
come  in  there,  or  you  can  require  it  nowhere.  But  this  ordinance 
you  now  agree  to  pass  unnoticed,  and  institute  an  acknowled  chris- 
tian church  or  organized  society  without  baptism.  For  peace  sake 
there  must  be,  in  such  a  society,  a  dead  acquiescence  in  utter  silence, 
or  endless  disputations  on  this  subject.  Half  or  three-fourths  of  the 
church  may,  consistently  with  this  system,  be  proveu  Pedo-Baptists. 
On  its  introduction  the  barrier  of  baptism  must  be  broken  down.  It 
is  not  a  legitimate  fence  of  Christ's  fold,  but  a  wall  of  Jewish  exclu- 
siveness ;  as  a  law  of  God's  house  it  may  be,  by  individuals,  for 
awhile,  acknowledged,  but  happily,  disobedience  has  no  penalty ! 
Was  such  a  law  ever  long  respected  ? 

In  fine,  here  is  a  christian  community  holding  as  a  whole,  and 
as  such,  with  no  baptism, — and  yet  in  its  component  parts  with 
every  variety  of  baptism,  or  just  with  baptism  enough  to  destroy 
the  whole  doctrine  of  baptism.  The  Pedo-Baptists  cannot,  in  char- 
ity, enforce  their  views,  nor  the  Baptists  theirs.  The  church,  en- 
deavoring to  include  both  parties,  has  silenced  both — each  in  the 
act  of  their  charitable  embrace,  while  disarming  an  opponent,  has 
stultified  itself,  and  all  God's  counsel  on  the  subject  of  baptism  is 
sealed  up,  on  the  peril  of  every  old  charge  of  sectarianism  and  big- 
otry being  renewed.  Beguiled  by  the  shadow  of  an  unity  of  profes- 
sion this  community,  surely  like  the  animal  in  the  fable,  has  drop- 
ped the  children's  meat  in  this  ordinance  forever.  While  such  a 
compromise  should  last  it  would  be  a  'church  acknowledging  no 
baptism,  neither  that  of  infants  nor  believers.  In  many  cases  be- 
lievers' baptism  would  be  discontinued,  accession  to  the  church  not 
requiring  it.  It  would  go  first.  But  who  that  loves  consistency 
can,  in  either  view  of  the  ordinance,  desire  to  live  under  such  a 
system  ?  Or  who  would,  by  means  of  such  a  system,  seek  such  a 
result  as  this  ?  Not  a  single  good  man,  as  we  believe,  with  his  eyes 
open.        Thine  to  serve.  T.  Curtis. 

October  18th,  18o0. 


CIRCULAR   LETTER  OF   T.    CURTIS. 

Christian  Baptism — the  Afocle  and  the  Subjects  of  it. 
Some  few  years  ago  the  writer  was  traveling  in  a  Southern  state, 
and  had  a  letter  of  introduction  to  the  Episcopal  Bishop  of  the  state. 
'How  is  it,"  said  that  pious  and  able  divine,  '£hat  go  where  I  will 
in  mjr  diocese  the  colored  people  will  be  Baptists?  They  must  go 
into  the  water  and  be  baptized  in  your  way.  You  Baptist  ministers 
are  thus' made  very  responsible  for  seeing  that  they  do  not  make  it 
a  saving  ordinance."  Admitting  this  responsibility  the  writer's 
answer  in  substance  was:  "You  know,  Bishop,  that  these  colored 
people  are  our  Southern  poor ;  the  poor  were  to  have  the  Gospel 
preached   unto  them,  and  it  is  especially  adapted   to  them  ;  these 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  323 

poor  people  find  our  baptism  on  the  face  of  the  New  Testament. 
They  hear  and  read  of  men  and  women  going  down  into  the  water, 
being  baptized,  and  coming  up  out  of  the  water.  This  kind  of  lan- 
guage describes  our  baptism,  and  no  other.  Some  of  your  ablest 
writers  have  said  infant  baptism  is  in  the  New  Testament,  out  not 
on  it.     Ours  is  both  on  it  and  in  it. 

Now  these  considerations  made  us  at  first  unwilling  to  under- 
take this  letter.  Believers'  baptism  (and  that  only)  is  so  plainly 
commanded  and  described  in  the  New  Testament,  and  various 
Tracts  (Pengilly,  Wilson's  Scripture  Manual,  &c.,)  have,  in  addition, 
so  well  pointed  this  out,  that  the  undertaking  appeared  unnecessary. 
But  this  last  thought  decided  us  to  proceed.  The  baptism  of  believ- 
ers is  in  the  New  Testament,  closely  interwoven  with  its  very  text- 
ure, warp  and  woof,  with  the  strong  threads  and  the  fillings  up.  It 
decides  the  constituency  or  composition  of  the  church  of  whom  alone 
it  shall  consist ;  it  afreets  deeply  the  whole  polity  or  government  of 
the  church,  by  determining  who  only  can  receive  its  laws  and  carry 
on  its  government.  A  Bible  baptism  properly  followed  out  would 
long  since  have  swept  away  from  the  world  every  form  of  the  Papal 
hierarchy  and  of  political  or  established  churches.  It  and  it  only, 
as  a  baptism,  gathers  its  disciples  out  of  the  world.  Hence  it  is  ex- 
pressly called  in  the  Gospels  "the  counsel  of  God"  (Luke  vii.  30  ;)  so 
that  no  man  can  declare  all  that  counsel  and  not  teach  it.  As  such 
it  is  a  speaking,  eloquent  symbol  both  of  all  Christ's  work  for  us  and 
of  all  our  duty  to  Him.  When  attended  to  sincerely,  no  single  act 
of  the  christian  life  is  so  expressive  of  either.  We  might  expect  this 
from  the  infinite  wisdom  and  authority  which  enjoin  it,  as  to  be  but 
once  performed.  None  of  us,  therefore,  have  as  yet  either  exhausted 
its  import  or  acted  up  to  its  meaning.  Our  readers  who  are  not  Bap- 
tists should  consider  prayerfully  how  much  this  holy  ordinance  is 
exhibited  on  the  face  of  the  New  Testament ;  Baptists,  especially, 
where  and  how  much  it  is  found'in  it.  Our  remarks  will  be  divided 
between  these  two  considerations.  1.  Believers'  baptism  is  found 
everywhere  upon  the  face  of  the  New  Testament.  There  are  thous- 
ands of  baptisms  of  believers  in  express  terms,  every  one  of  whom 
were  first  required  to  repent  and  believe  ;  no  clear  case  can  be  quoted 
of  any  other  baptism.  All  acknowledge  this.  We  ask  for  one  clear 
case  of  any  other.  But  a  previous  question  has  been  started — What 
is  baptism  ?  In  reply  to  this,  we  shall  consider  first,  the  testimony 
of  the  English  Scriptures ;  secondly,  the  concessions  of  learned 
Pedo-Baptists.  2.  All  that  Baptists  in  general  have  learned  on  this 
subject,  it  is  to  be  remembered,  has  come  down  to  them  through 
their  opponents,  the  Pedo-Baptists.  Forty-seven  learned  men  of  the 
reign  of  King  James  I.  of  England — all  Pedo-Baptists — have  given 
them  the  English  Bible,  and  it  is  this  Pedo-Baptist  translation  of 
the  Scriptures  that  has  made  hundreds  of  thousands  of  American 
and  English  Baptists  one  of  the  largest  religious  denominations,  cer- 
tainly in  this  only  land  of  entire  religious  freedom.  If  learning- 
could  with  any  tolerable  honesty  have  twisted  the  testimony  of  the 


324  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Scriptures  against  them — when  the  learning  was,  as  to  this  matter 
of  translation,  wholly  in  their  opponents'  hands — would  it  not  have 
so  done  ?  But  the  Baptists  are,  in  the  main,  contented  to  rest  their 
case  on  the  common  English  Bible.  They  have  received  both  their 
faith  and  its  ordinances  from  it,  and  it  has  proof  enough  that  the 
first  churches  and  first  baptisms  were  like  theirs.  John's  baptisms 
lead  the  way.  He  is  emphatically  the  Baptist,  or  baptizer  of  the 
Gospels — a  title  descriptive  of  duty  and  office,  which  is  frequently 
given  to  him  by  our  Savior.*  We  assume,  therefore,  that  John 
knew  his  duty,  and  did  it  in  the  best  manner.  [Though  the  mean- 
ing of  baptism,  or  what  was  signified,  was  afterwards  enlarged, 
none  contend  that  the  sign  itself  was  altered.]  iWhere  then,  and 
how,  do  we  ever  find  him  baptizing  ?  In  the  valley  or  the  river  of 
Jordan,  always— requiring  the  inhabitants  of  the  region  round  about 
"all  Judea"  that  sought  baptism,  and  even  the  more  distant  inhab- 
itants of  Jerusalem,  to  come  to  his  baptism  there.  We  never  read 
of  his  baptizing  anywhere  else.  The  divine  Redeemer  Himself 
comes  from  distant  Galilee  to  that  consecrated  stream  for  baptism. 
So  must  Pharisees  and  Sadducees  and  Publicans  and  Soldiers — all 
the  country  round  about — it  they  would  be  baptized  of  Him,  which 
Christ  declares  in  effect  to  have  been  the  duty  of  them  all.  (Matt. 
xxi.  25.)  WThere  particular  parts  of  the  river  or  valley  which  he 
used  are  mentioned — one  is  Bethabara,  a  ford  or  a  place  near  a  ford, 
just  such  as  we  Baptists  choose  in  country  rivers — another  is  Enon, 
"because  there  was  much  water  there."  (Luke  vii.  28  ;  Matt.  xi.  12.) 
The  valley  of  the  Jordan,  according  to  the  testimony  of  the  best 
modern  travelers,  is  to  this  day  exactly  the  place  for  such  a  Baptist 
revival  of  religion  as  John  conducted — the  most  suitable  place  still, 
perhaps,  in  all  the  world.  Burckhardt  finds  the  river  fordable  in 
many  places  during  the  summer,  in  the  rainy  season  in  few.  Irby 
and   Mangles,  that  the  water  reached  the  belly  of  their  horses  in 

*While  the  exact  situation  of  Enon  is  not,  perhaps,  in  modern 
times  to  be  pointed  out,  the  happy  explanatory  phrase  of  the  Evan- 
gelist, near  to  Salim,  suggests  a  remark  or  two  bearing  on  our  sub- 
ject. Salim  was,  according  to  Jerome  and  Eusebius,  8  miles  S.  of 
Seythopolis  or  Bethshan  ;  so  was  Enon,  as  they  both  state,  confirm- 
ing the  Evangelist's  remark  that  the  one  place  was  near  the  other. 
Seythopolis  has  been  well  ascertained  by  Dr.  Robinson  and  Burck- 
hardt to  he  but  two  miles  from  the  Jordan,  which  here  runs  from 
N.  to  S.  Neither  Salim  nor  Enon  could  then  have  been  far  from  the 
river;  they  were  clearly  within  the  valley.  Calmet's  Dictionary,  as 
edited  by  Dr.  Robinson,  speaks  of  Enon  as  between  Salim  and  the 
Jordan.*  Seythopolis  was  not  far  off.  If  John  resorted  to  Enon, 
near  Salim,  because  there  was  much  water  there,  would  he  not  have 
gone  to  this  place  for  the  same  reason  (not  half  a  day's  journey  N,) 
had  he  not  been  as  well  accommodated  in  Enon  ?  Now  at  Seythop- 
olis there  were  two  streams  running  through  the  city  into  the  Jordan 
"almost  insulating  the  Acropolis,"  says  Dr.  Robinson,  "and  uniting 
below" — over  one  of  which  are  still  seen  the  ruins  of  a  fine  Roman 
bridge.  Such  was  the  neighborhood  for  natural  baptisteries;  or  ex- 
actly such  as  those  which  country  Baptists  to  this  day  use. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  325 

March  ;  afterwards  it  was  much  swollen.  Buckingham  and  Banks, 
that  it  was  easily  fordable,  flowing  over  a  bed  of  pebbles.  Dr.  Rob- 
inson's account  of  this  river  is  much  the  same.  The  common  testi- 
mony is  that  it  has  few  rapids,  but  is  a  remarkably  swift  and  silent 
stream.  Hew  solemn  and  heart-striking  the  assembly  and  in. rner- 
sion  of  thousands  on  the  banks,  and  in  the  water  of  such  a  stream  ! 
Angels  we  know  have  rejoiced  to  witness  these  scenes,  but  no  infe- 
rior mode  of  baptism  can  possibly  renew  them,  or  give  anything  like 
a  just  impression  of  their  solemnity.  The  verdure  of  these  banks 
is  called  in  Zechariah  (Heb.  xi.  3)  "the  pride  of  Jordan,"  and  the 
trees  afford  freemently  what  a  late  traveler  calls  "convenient  anel 
well-shaded  dressing  places  for  the  numerous,  bathers  who  usually 
visit  here."  The  centre  and  scene  of  John's  baptism,  then,  are  this 
river  and  valley  ;  that  is  clear,  and  stronger  terms  are  used  of  the 
number  of  them  than  respecting  those  of  any  other  party,  Christ  and 
His  personal  disciples  not  excepted.  *  What  can  plain  people  make 
of  this?  The  man  who  baptized  most  in  the  New  Testament,  anel 
who  was  sent  of  God  emphatically  to  baptize  truly  or  rightly,  bap- 
tized in  our  way.  Did  any  popular  Pedo-Baptist  minister  ever  do 
the  like  in  modern  times?  He  calls  up  convicted  sinners,  and,  in 
some  cases  if  not  to  join  the  church,  that  they  may  be  converted 
But  who  ever  heard,  except  among  Baptists,  of  converts  being  re- 
quired to  seek  the  river's  side,  or  any  public  water  ?  A  small  portion 
of  the  Pedo-Baptist  ministers  of  this  country  perform  their  baptism 
in  churches,  and  with  the  water  contained  in  a  basin  ;  the  larger 
portion  go  round  and  administer  this  rite  in  the  same  way  in  private 
rooms.  Now,  why  this  palpable  difference  from  the  primitive  pro- 
ceedings? They  have  changed  the  ordinance;  they  have  not  kept 
that  which  was  delivered  to  the  church  for  baptism. 

Our  Saviour  Himself  never  personally  baptized  ;  although  His 
taking  up  infants  into  His  arms  without  baptizing  them,  is  a  favor- 
ite proof  text  for  infant  baptism  in  high  quarters.  *  *  But  the  scene 
in  which,  while  He  tarried  with  them  His  disciples  baptized,  is  de- 
scribed as  in  the  neighborhood  of  John's  ministrations.  \  The  fair 
inference  is,  they  all  resorted  there  to  administer  the  same  rite  in  the 
same  way.  It  is  certain,  says  Neander,  that  He  [Christ]  went  di- 
rectly to  Enon,  a  name  derived  from  a  Hebrew  word,"; signifying  a 
place  abounding  with  water ;  and  Eusebius  speaks  of  the  place  as 
still  pointed  out  in  his  day. 

The  Eunuch's  baptism  (Acts  vii.)  is  sufficient  to  establish  the 
Apostolic  practice.  The  Evangelist  Philip  had  been  preaching  to  an 
ignorant  but  ardent  proselyte  of  Judaism — Christ  and  His  baptism. 
Both  are  clearly  included  in  preaching  unto  him  Jesus.  Now  he 
must  seize  the  first  opportunity  of  confessing  his  faith  in  Christ. 
"See  here  is  water!"     Where?    In  the  skins  of  water  common  to 

*Matt.  iii.  5,  6.  **  Episcopal  Prayer  Book,  &c.  Here  Mark  x, 
13  is  quoted  expressly  to  show  the  grounds  of  infant  baptism. 
I  Rom,  iii.  23. 


326  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

all  travelers  in  the  East  of  decent  circumstances,  or  in  a  gourd  easily 
rilled  from  them  ?  No;  it  is  here  by  the  road  side.  The  chariot 
must  stand  still  for  them  to  use  it  in  baptism.  They  must  both  go 
down  into  the  water,  both  Philip  and  the  Eunuch,  and  when  he 
had  baptized  him  both  came  up  out  of  the  water.  "Here  is  water  : 
what  doth  hinder  me  to  be  baptized  ?"  asks  the  teacher.  Two  things- 
then  are  clear  here — one  which  respects  the  mode  of  baptism — the 
other  the  subject,  (i)  Here  was  a  "hindrance"  to  baptism,  until  the 
water  at  which  they  stopped  the  chariot,  appeared — although  this 
would  be  no  hindrance  to  a  Pedo-Baptist  minister  of  modern  times, 
similarly  circumstanced,  (ii)  There  would  have  been  a  hindrance 
to  baptism  at  the  water  side,  unless  the  Eunuch  had  been  a  believer 
—although  this,  the  absence  of  faith,  is  no  hindrance  to  baptism  in 
our  modern  Pedo-Baptist  churches.  "It  would  be  very  unnatural  to 
suppose,"  says  the  candid  Pedo-Baptist  Doddridge,  "that  they  went 
down  to  the  water  merely  that  Philip  might  take  up  a  little  water 
in  his  hand  to  pour  on  the  Eunuch.  A  person  of  his  dignity  had  no 
doubt  many  vessels  in  his  baggage  on  such  a  journey  through  a  des- 
ert country — a  precaution  absolutely  necessary,  and  never  omitted." 
Apostolic  doctrine  and  inspired  exhortations  to  duty,  grounded 
on  the  true  form  of  baptism,  confirm  the  importance  of  abiding  by 
that  form.  "We  are  buried  with  Christ  by  baptism  into  death.'' 
What  other  mode  but  that  of  immersion  in  baptism  buries  anything 
but  the  hand  of  the  administrator.  "That  like  as  Christ  was  iai&t-d 
up  from  the  dead,  by  the  glory  of  the  Father,  even  so  we  also  should 
walk  in  newness  of  life."  Heb.  vi.  4.  What  is  there  like  raising  any- 
thing up  in  that  rite,  but  in  such  baptism  as  first  buries  the  subject 
of  it?  Let  a  Commentator  Chrysostom,  of  the  4th  century  speak 
here:  "when  we  sink  our  heads  in  the  water,  as  if  we  were  in  a 
tomb,  the  old  man  is  buried  and  going  down  is  hidded  entire  at  once. 
To  be  baptized  and  to  sink  down,  then  to  rise  up,  is  a  symbol  of 
the  going  down  into  the  grave  and  of  the  coming  up  from  jt."  A 
parallel  passage  is  found,  Col.  ii.  12.  :  "Buried  with  Him  by  baptism 
into  death,  wherein  also  ye  are  risen  with  Him  by  the  faith  of  the 
operation  of  God."  A  burial  and  resurrection  are  both  here  said  to 
take  place  in  baptism.  True  it  is,  that  the  party  being  a  professed 
believer,  is  said  to  be  risen  with  Christ  by  faith.  But  this  does  not 
destroy  the  plain  import  of  the  terms,  that  there  is  a  burial  and  res- 
urrection in  baptism  itself.  It,  the  sign  baptism,  is  figuratively  a 
burial  and  raising  up  in  all  cases  ;  it  is  a  burial  and  raising  up  with 
Christ,  when  the  thing  signified,  a  true  faith  in  Christ  is  betokened 
by  the  sign.  Afterwards  come  all  the  important  exhortations  of 
Col.  chap.  iii.  founded  on  this  appeal  to  the  significant  ancient-bap- 
tism. "If  ye  then  be  risen  with  Christ,  seek  those  things  which 
are  above.-'  "Set  your  affections  on  things  above,"  &c.  None  but 
Baptists  ever  are  buried  with  Christ  in  the  si£n  !  "Can  we  be  buried 
with  Christ  by  baptism  and  in  baptism?  it  has  been  asked.  If  in 
baptism  itself  there  is  no  burial.  The  ancient  method  of  baptism 
by  immersion  is  here  alluded  to,  says  Mr.  Wesley,  on  Col.  ii.  12. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  327 

The  concessions  of  very  learned  Pedo-Baptists  on  this  subject 
=are  remarkable.  We  have  onl\  room  for  a  few.  They  might  be  ex- 
tended to  a  large  number.  Prof.  Stuart,  of  Andover,  Mass.,  has  de- 
voted a  long  public  life  to  the  criticism  of  the  Bible,  He  has  been 
■among  the  most  efficient  promoters  of  the  Biblical  learning  of  the 
country.  What  is  his  testimony  to  the  meaning  of  the  terms  ren- 
dered baptism  and  to  baptize  ?  Bapto,  baptizo,  mean  to  dip,  plungr, 
or  immerse  in  any  liquid.  All  Lexicographers  and  critics  are  agreed 
in  this,  he  adds.  [The  Professor  elsewhere  expresses  doubt  as  to  this 
meaning  being  always  retained  in  the  New  Testament,  but  this  does 
not  destroy  his  testimony  as  to  the  original  meaning  of  the  words,] 

The  late  Dr.  Chalmers,  of  Scotland,  is  considered  one  of  the  ablest 
divines  that  country  ever  produced.  In  his  commenting  on  Rom. 
vi:3-7  he  writes,  "The  original  meaning  of  the  word  baptism  is  im- 
mersion. We  doubt  not  that  the  prevalent  style  in  the  administra- 
tion of  the  Apostle's  day,  was  by  an  actual  submerging  of  the  whole 
body  under  water.  In  the  act  of  descending  under  the  water  of  bap- 
tism [we  are  conceived]  to  have  resigned  an  old  life,  and  in  the  act 
of  ascending  to  emerge  into  a  second  and  new  life."  "Alluding  to 
the  ancient  method  of  baptism  by  immersion,"  says  Mr.  Wesley 
(Notes  on  the  New  Testament)  on  this  passage. 

Br.  Samuel  Johnson  was  the  author  of  the  first  Standard  Dic- 
tionary in  our  language  and  still  remarkable  for  the  learning  he 
would  pour  out  in  common  conversation.  He  defined  in  his  Dic- 
tionary to  baptize— as  to  christen;  but  being  asked  how  he  could  ac- 
count for  the  bold  alteration  of  God's  ordinance  which  the  Roman- 
ists make  in  denying  the  cup  to  the  laity  in  the  Lord's  Supper,  'T 
ihink,"  said  he,  "They  are  as  well  warranted  to  make  this  alteration 
as  we  are  to  substitute  sprinkling  in  the  room  of  the  ancient  baptism." 
The  Romanists  are  consistent  here;  they  do  not  pretend  to  find  either 
alteration  in  Scripture,  but  refer  openly  to  tradition  and  Mother 
Church  for  their  only  authority.  Let  us  now  open  the  more  modern 
but  highly  valued  Dictionary  of  Richardson,  2  Vols.  4to.  The  author 
is  of  the  English  Episcopal  church.  The  only  definition  he  gives  of 
baptism  is,  "To  dip  or  merge  frequently,  to  sink,  to  plunge,  or  im- 
merge,"  giving  as  an  instance  :  "Philosophy  baptized 

In  the  pure  fountain  of  eternal  love 

Has  eyes  indeed." 

"I  have  heard  a  disputant,"  says  Dr.  Geo.  Campbell,  of  Aber- 
deen, "in  defiance  of  etymology  and  use,  maintain  that  the  word 
rendered  in  the  New  Testament,  baptize,  means  more  properly  to 
sprinkle  than  to  plunge,  and  in  defiance  of  all  antiquity  to  maintain 
that  the  former  was  the  earliest  and  the  most  general  practice  in 
baptizing.  One  who  argues  in  this  manner  never  fails  with  persons 
of  knowledge  to  betray  the  cause  he  would  defend,  and  though  with 
respect  to  the  vulgar,  bold  assertions,  generally  succeed  as  well  as 
argument,  and  sometimes  better,  yet  a  candid  mind  will  always 
disdain  to  seek  the  help  of  falsehood  in  the  support  of  truth."    He 


328  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

complains  that  Protestant  translators  have  not  been  so  faithful  as 
the  Romanists  in  their  account  of  the  circumstances  attending  bap- 
tism. 

Prof.  C.  Arthur,  of  New  York,  has  edited  various  Greek  and 
Latin  authors  ;  his  editions  are  in  constant  use  in  our  schools  and 
colleges  ;  he  has  been  considered  one  of  the  most  distinguished  Greek 
scholars  in  the  Union.  Applied  to  on  the  subject  by  Dr.  Parmly,  of 
New  York,  he  says  in  1843  :  "There  is  no  authority  for  the  remark 
of  Dr.  Spring  relative  to  baptize.  The  primary  meaning  of  the  word 
is  to  dip,  to  immerse  ;  and  its  secondaey  meaning,  if  it  ever  had  any, 
in  some  way  or  other  all  refer  to  the  same  leading  idea.  Sprinkling, 
&c,  are  entirely  out  of  the  question." 

And  here  I  am  reminded  of  the  judgment  of  Prof.  Porson,  the 
ablest  Greek  scholar  in  England,  in  my  youth  :  "The  Baptists  have 
the  advantage  of  us,"  he  said  to  Dr.  Newman,  of  London,  "in  the 
meaning  of  that  word.     It  signifies  a  total  immersion." 

The  oldest  and  the  latest  of  the  Encyclopedias  with  which  I  am 
acquainted  (the  largest  and  most  carefully  prepared  dictionaries  in 
the  English  language)  define  baptism  ;  the  first,  Rees'  Cyclopedia, 
1786,  from  the  Greek  baptizo  of  bapto — to  dip  or  plunge,  a  rite  or  cer- 
emony by  which  persons  are  initiated  into  the  profession  of  the  chris- 
tian religion.  The  Penny  Cyclopedia,  23  Vols.,  just  completed.  Tiie 
words  baptism  and  to  baptize  are  Greek  terms,  which  imply  in  the 
ordinary  acceptation,  washing  or  dipping.  The  Edinburg  Encyclo- 
pedia [about  midway]  says:  "In  the  time  of  the  Apostles  the  form 
of  baptism  was  very  simple.  The  person  to  be  baptized  was  dipped 
in  a  river  or  vessel,  with  the  words  which  Christ  had  ordered  The 
Greek  church  retains  the  custom  of  immersing  the  whole  body  ;  but 
the  Western  Church  adopted  in  the  xiii.  century  the  mode  of  baptism 
by  sprinkling,  which  has  been  continued  by  the  Protestants,  Bap- 
tists only  excepted." 

Dr.  Neander,  of  Berlin,  a  converted  Jew  (expert  in  all  manner 
of  questions  among  the  Jews,)  and  one  of  our  greatest  christian  schol- 
ars and  historians,  writes  :  "As  John's  followers  were  entirely  im- 
mersed in  the  water,  so  the  Messiah  should  immerse  the  souls  of 
believers  in  the  Holy  Ghost."  Having  been  since  written  to  on  the 
subject,  he  says  :  "As  to  your  question  on  the  original  rite  of  baptism, 
there  can  be  no  doubt  whatever  that  in  the  primitive  times  the  cere- 
mony was  performed  by  immersion."  [Letter  to  Rev.  Mr.  Judd, 
1833.] 

In  the  Biblical  Cyclopedia,  lately  published  by  Dr.  Kitts,  a  friend 
of  Neander's  contributes  the  article  "baptism,"  which  the  latter  re- 
vised. The  work  embodies  contributions  from  a  large  number  of 
the  ablest  Pedo-Baptists  of  Germany,  England  and  America.  Here 
we  read  the  profession  of  faith  [1  Petter  iii.  21]  was  made  (using) 
the  formula,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  or  according  to  Matt.  xxv.  21,  of 
the  Father,  Son  and  Holy   Ghost,  when  the  whole  body   was  im- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  329 

mersed  in  water.    Afterwards  the  writer  speaks  of  "immersing  the 
subject  of  baptism"  as  the  usual  way. 

We  may  close  this  part  of  the  subject  with  the  practical  conces- 
sions of  Episcopalians.  The  church  of  England  directs  the  minis- 
ter, discreetly  and  warily,  to  dip  the  child  in  the  water  unless  it 
should  be  weak,  when  it  shall  suffice  to  pour  water  on  it.  The  Amer- 
ican Episcopal  Church,  to  dip  it  in  the  water  discreetly  or  pour 
water  upon  it,  and  furnishes  a  prayer  to  be  read  immediately  before 
the  immersion  or  the  pouring  of  water.  Not  a  word  is  here  said  of 
sprinkling,  though  that  has  become  the  general  practice  of  those 
churches.  The  prayer  book  of  each  would  certainly  induce  an  im- 
partial reader  to  suppose  that  they  preferred  immersion,  and  Epis- 
copal clergymen  have  sometimes  practiced  it  on  this  ground 
expressly,  as  the  good  John  Wesley,  in  the  early  days  of  his  minis- 
try. There  is  a  remarkable  entry  upon  the  point  in  his  Georgia 
journal.  "Mary  Walsh,"  he  says,  "aged  eleven  days,  was  baptized 
according  to  the  custom  of  the  first  church  and  the  rule  of  the  Church 
of  England  by  immersion." 

Dr.  Wall,  the  ablest  advocate  of  infant  baptism  in  that  church, 
wishes  "immersion  to  be  restored,"  and  asserts  that  it  was  the  gen- 
eral practice  of  the  church  for  thirteen  hundred  years.  So  says  like- 
wise Dr.  Whitby,  the  celebrated  commentator,  on  Rom.  vi.  20: 
"Immersion  was  religiously  observed  by  all  christians  for  thirteen 
hundred  years."  Learned  Pedo-Baptists  will  freely  concede  that  in 
the  practice  of  immersion  we  must  be  right,  the  whole  amount  of 
their  efforts  to  defend  any  other  mode  is  that  it  also  may  be  right. 
In  a  matter  of  disobedience  to  our  divine  Redeemer,  which  must  be 
the  safer  and  more  reverential  practice — that  of  those  who  act  upon 
a  mere  probability  of  being  right,  or  that  of  those  who  act— their 
opponents  being  judges,  upon  an  impossibility  of  being  wrong!  * 

Believers'  baptism  is  also  in  the  New  Testament,  closely  inter- 
woven with  its  history,   its  doctrines,   its  whole  plan  of  gatherings 
constituting,  governing  and  disciplining  the  church  of  Christ. 

We  advert  again  to  the  baptism  of  John,  which  may  be  called 
the  lowest  form  of  its  application  in  the  New  Testament.     He  is  a 

*  A  legal  friend  once  pressed  upon  a  Presbyterian  of  his  own  pro- 
fession the  law  maxim,  that  in  the  construction  of  a  disputed  word 
in  a  deed  or  will,  that  meaning  must  be  received  which  best  suits  the 
words  before  and  after.  "Let  us,"  said  hie,  "try  the  various  mean- 
ings that  have  been  given  to  the  word  baptism  in  this  way.  They 
are  but  three — pouring,  sprinkling,  and  immersion.  Take  all  the 
varieties  of  each  and  try  them."  "To  pour,"  Johnson  says,  "is  to 
emit,  give  vent  to,  send  forth,  or  let  out  in  a  continued  course." 
Can  we  say,  to  take  the  short  record  of  Philip's  baptizing  the  Eunuch: 
"And  he  [Philip]  emitted,  gave  vent  to,  sent  forth,  let  out  in  a  con- 
tinued course  the  Eunuch.  To  sprinkle,  according  to  the  same  au- 
thority, is  to  scatter,  disperse  in  small  masses,  scatter  in  drops.  May 
we  then  say,  "And  Philip  scattered,  dispersed  in  small  masses,  scat- 
tered in  drops  the  Eunuch  ?  But  when  I  try  the  only  remaining 
meaning  to  immerse,  Johnson  says  this  is  to  put  under  water,  sink 
or  cover  deep ;  and  can  I  not  say,  Philip  put  under  water,  sunk,  cov- 
ered deep  the  Eunuch  ? 
42 


330  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

preacher,  the  powerful  and  pungent  preacher  of  rep. ntance  to  all 
classes  throughout  his  life ;  the  entire  multitude  to  be  baptized  are 
required  to  confess  their  sins.  His  whole  preaching  would  have 
been  thrown  away,  therefore,  upon  all  the  subjects  of  the  Pedo- 
Baptist  ordinance.  He  baptizes  nobody  but  upon  repentance,  and 
speaks  of  the  dawning  day  of  Christ  as  onJy  to  be  more  searching 
and  particular  in  its  requirements.  His  baptisms  are  not  only  those 
of  moral  agents,  but  of  such  only  as  are  convicted  and  penitent  sin- 
ners. In  the  same  manner  does  the  Savior  begin  His  ministry.  His 
first  labors  are  described  in  the  same  terms  with  those  of  John. 
When  he  and  His  followers  therefore  make  and  baptize  disciples, 
we  cannot  expect  them  to  be  of  less  decided  moral  and  spiritual 
character.  They  soon  became  in  this  respect  greater  than  John  him- 
self. We  now  come  to  the  commission  given  by  our  Lord  to  His 
church  and  her  ministers ;  where,  as  the  celebrated  Richard  Baxter 
says,  "we  should  expect  that  He  would  be  specific,  and  place  all 
things  in  their  due  order." 

"This  is  not,"  he  observes,  "like  some  occasional  historical  men- 
tion of  baptism,  but  it  is  the  very  commission  of  Christ  to  His  Apos- 
tles for  preaching  and  baptizing,  and  purposely  expresseth  their 
several  works  in  their  several  places  and  order.  To  contemn  this 
order  is  to  renounce  all  rules  of  order."  Baxter  further  says :  "Those 
that  say  they  are  discipled.  by  baptizing  and  not  before  baptizing, 
speak  not  the  sense  of  the  text  —not  that  which  is  true  or  rational." 
Matthew  gives  the  commission  in  three  great  parts.  1.  Teach  all 
nations.  2.  Baptize  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy 
Ghost.  3.  Teach  them  to  observe  all  things  that  I  have  command- 
ed. Mark  gives  it  in  one  single  clause:  "Preach  the  Gospel  to  every 
creature,"  adding  the  solemn  sanction,  "He  that  believeth  and  is 
baptized  shall  be  saved,  but  he  that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned." 
These  two  versions  of  the  commission  cast  great  light  on  each  other. 
Matthew's  teaching  before  baptism  is  clearly  the  same  thing  as 
Mark's  preaching  the  Gospel  or  good  news;  while  the  awful  sanction 
added  by  the  latter  as  clearly  supposes  that  every  creature  to  whom 
this  Gospel  is  preached,  can  believe  or  reject  it,  for  he  is  to  be  no 
less  than — damned!  who  believes  not.  How  utterly  absurd  and 
cruel  to  suppose  for  a  moment  that  infants  or  idiots  can  be  included 
here '  On  the  day  of  Pentecost  all  the  teaching  and  preaching  are 
before  baptism ;  thousands  pricked  to  the  heart  are  exhorted  to  re- 
pent and  receive  in  Christ's  name  the  holy  ordinance,  and  thus  to 
save  themselves  from  the  coming  judgments  of  their  generation. 
"Repent  and  be  converted.  Ye  are  the  children  of  the  prophets! — 
God  hath  His  Son  to  bless  you  in  turning  away  every  one  of  you 
from  his  iniquities, — every  soul  that  will  not  hear  that  Prophet  shall 
be  destroyed  from  among  the  people,"  is  the  language  of  this  memo- 
rable sermon.  "Then  they  who  gladly  received  the  Word  were  bap- 
tized." We  have  no  baptism  on  this  record  but  that  of  such  as  were 
recipients  of  the  Word  preached. 

After  the  terrible  punishment  of  Ananias  and  Sapphira,  of  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  331 

rest  not  believers,  we  are  told,  "durst  no  man  join"  himself  to  the 
churches,  "but  believers  were  the  more  added  to  the  Lord."  On  the 
larger  scale  of  a  city  at  Samaria,  Philip  acts  as  in  the  individual  case 
of  the  Eunuch.  "And  when  they  believed  Philip  preaching  the 
things  concerning  the  kingdom  of  God,  they  were  baptized."  The 
persecuting  Saul  is  converted,  then  baptized — Cornelius  and  all  bis 
house,  after  they  had  received  the  Holy  Ghost.  When  the  church 
increases  anywhere  it  is  because  the  Word  of  God  grows  and  is  mul- 
tiplied, because  the  churches  were  established  in  the  faith,  and  the 
Lord  opened  the  door  of  faith.  Is  Lydia  and  her  household  baptized/ 
It  is  the  result  of  Paul's  preaching  in  the  prayer  meeting  by  the  river 
side  ;  the  jailer  and  his  household,  because  "he  believed  in  God  with 
all  his  house,"  as  did  Crispus/  and  many  of  the  Corinthians  hear- 
ing, believed,  and  were  baptized.  This  is  the  constant  manner  of 
expression  with  the  sacred  Penman — hearing,  believing  and  being 
baptized.  There  are  now  iii  the  churches  but  one  Lord,  one  faith 
in  the  Lord,  and  one  baptism  into  the  faith.  Of  five  household  bap- 
tisms recorded,  four  are  expressly  said  to  have  been  all  believers,  or 
to  have  feared  God  and  served  Him  ;  and  the  household  not  thus 
described  was  that  of  a  woman  (Lydia)  whom  no  one  can  show  to 
have  been  married.  Pedo-Baptism  must  1st,  marry  her  ;  2d,  give 
her  children  ;  3d,  infant  children  at  this  time,  before  this  can  avail 
that  cause.  Moreover  there  were  believers  in  her  house.  See  Acts 
xxi.  40. 

The  highest  obligations  to  christian  duty  are  drawn  in  the  Epis- 
tles from  the  vow  and  professions  voluntarily  made  in  baptism.  Paul 
will  devote  entire  chapters  to  exhortations  thus  grounded.  Of  Rom. 
vi.  says  Dr.  Chalmers  before  quoted  :  "We  have  been  in  the  habit 
of  regarding  this  chapter  as  the  passage  of  greatest  interest  in  the 
Bible  ;  as  that  in  which  the  greatest  quantity  of  Scriptural  light  is 
thrown  on  the  path  of  transition  which  leads  from  the  imputed 
righteousness,  which  is  by  faith  to  the  personal  righteousness,  which 
is  by  a  new  and  spiritual  obedience.  Baptized  into  his  death,  or  re- 
garding ourselves  as  if  like  Him,  we  had  actually  been  slain  and 
buried,  and  like  Him  brought  forth  anew,  and  made  alive  again 
before  God. 

1  Corinthians  xv.  29.  Here  is  a  difficulty  as  to  who  are  the  dead 
intended,  but  none  at  all  as  the  point  of  who  are  the  proper  subjects 
of  baptism.  The  argument  is,  AVhy  are  any  baptized  [knowingly] 
for  the  dead,  if  they  rise  not  ?  They  are  baptized,  believing  in  the 
resurrection  of  the  dead.  Can  this  be  written  of  any  but  professed 
believers? 

Galatians  iii.  27.  As  many  of  you  as  have  been  baptized  into 
Christ,  have  put  on  Christ ;  that  is,  says  Dr.  Macknight  [another 
eminent  Pedo-Baptist  writer]  have  professed  that  ye  have  put  on 
Christ — put  on  the  very  temper  and  virtues  of  Christ.  Were  cot 
such  parties  baptized  on  their  own  professions  and  intentions  ?  In- 
tentional baptism  is  a  strong  motive  to  holiness,  which  all  Pedo- 
Baptists  must  want.  Their  candidates  are  never  intentionally  or 
voluntarily  baptized. 


332  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Hebrews  x.  22,  23  argues  our  privileges  of  being  bold  in  prayer 
from  our  possession  of  true  religion  [having  our  hearts  sprinkled 
from  an  evil  conscience,]  and  our  profession  of' it  [having  our  bodies 
washed  with  pure  water] — "a  plain  allusion,"  says  Prof.  Stuart,  "to 
the  use  of  water  in  christian  baptism."  How  clear  the  order  of  pos- 
session and  profession  !  How  beautiful  the  union  !  God  hath  joined 
them  together  here :  Shall  we  put  them  asunder?  or  try  to  move 
the  cars  on  a  railroad  without  a  steam  engine? 

1  Peter  iii.  21.  The  Reformer  Beza  and  others  suppose  this  an 
allusion  to  the  answers  of  questions  put  to  the  candidate  in  primi- 
tive baptism.  Can  those  have  a  conscience  that  answers  to  anything, 
who  understand  no  question,  and  are  held  responsible  by  no  law  for 
any  part  of  their  conduct?  "A  good  conscience,"  says  Leighton, 
here,  "is  a  working,  speaking  conscience ;  and  the  conscience  that 
questions  itself  most  is  of  all  sorts  the  best."  So  think  Baptists  with 
regard  to  this  great  matter  of  baptism  ;  but  who  beside  ? 

Nor  should  we  forget  how  instructive  in  our  time  is  the  silence 
of  the  New  Testament  on  some  subjects.  "We  have  no  such  com- 
mandment," is  a  sound  answer  to  a  score  of  Romish  traditions  in 
religion  ;  as  "we  gave  no  such  commandment"  was  a  sufficient  an- 
swer to  the  scores  of  Judaizing  traditions  in  the  Apostle's  case.  [See 
Acts  xv.] 

It  is  marvelous,  if  infant  baptism  be  a  christian  ordinance,  that 
it  should  have  been  entirely  unnoticed  in  the  faithful  Book  of  the 
Acts  of  the  Apostles.  This  extends  thirty  years  at  least  from  the 
death  of  Christ — the  Epistles  thirty  years  farther.  The.  Apostles 
must  have  seen  a  second  or  third  generation  in  the  families  of  some, 
yea  many,  of  the  thousands  of  early  disciples;  or  tens  of  thousands 
of  the  children  of  believers.  The  writer  of  this  letter,  in  much  less 
time,  has  seen  the  children's  children  of  many  he  has  baptized,  fit 
subjects  for  Pedo-Baptism,  as  it  is  commonly  practiced;  yet  out  of 
the  history  of  Apostolic  baptism  [if  infants  were  baptized]  are  left 
all  the  cases  that  must,  in  the  course  of  nature,  have  been  most  fre- 
quently occurring — the  cases,  too,  such  as  would  most  frequently 
occur  in  all  coming  time — the  pattern  cases  of  all  time  !  No  single 
record  of  such  a  case  is  found  ;  no  admonition  to  parents  or  sponsors 
in  regard  to  the  treatment  of  this  host  of  young  disciples— not  one 
to  any  of  them  as  such.  Who  can  believe  this  and  hold  fully  that 
our  religion  is  to  be  nothing  but  what  the  Bible  teaches?  No  holy 
Apostle  laments  with  the  pious  Leighton,  the  "much  guiltiness"  of 
the  church  in  reference  to  infant  baptism,  or  speaks  of  "the  holiness 
and  faith"  that  would  be  increased  by  pondering  upon  it— or  calls  on 
paretns  to  stir  up  themselves  to  the  actings  of  faith  on  this  account. 
What  important  parts  of  God's  counsel  did  Apostles  and  Apostolic 
men  neglect  if  this  successor  of  the  Apostles  be  right  in  his  views  of 
baptism  !  We  conclude,  therefore,  with  the  greatest  of  all  protestant 
Peelo-Baptists— Martin  Luther  :  "It  cannot  be  proved  by  the  sacred 
Scriptures  that  infant  baptism  was  instituted  by  Christ,  or  begun  by 
the  first  christians  after  the  Apostles." 


BIOGRAPHTCAL  SKETCHES.  333 

[***  Particular  reference  was  requested  to  be  made  in  this  letter 
to  "those  disciples  whom  Paul  found  at  Ephesus."  Acts  xix.  1"] 
We  presume  the  inquiry  is  here  to  be  regarded  as  two-fold  : 

1.  Were  these  disciples  at  this  time  baptized  by  Paul  ? 

2.  If  so,  why?  Our  answer  is  :  We  think  they  were  baptized 
by  the  Apostle.  Learned  and  good  mtn  have  doubted  this,  but  it  is 
the  most  natural  construction  of  the  words,  *'They  who  were  bap- 
tized in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus"  [verse  5]  are  they  of  whom  it 
is  said  immediately  ;  "And  Paul  laid  his  hands  on  them  [verse  6,] 
and  they  spoke  with  tongues.".  We  think  hebaptized  them  because 
their  great  former  ignorance,  both  of  the  importanceof  faith  in  Christ 
and  of  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit — that  they,  therefore,  had  been 
very  imperfectly  instructed  into  John's  baptism,  which  spoke  of 
both  of  these  themes,  and  especially  of  the  baptism  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  Apollos,  the  case  immediately  preceding,  who' knew  only 
the  baptism  of  John,  does  not  appear  to  have  been  re-baptized. 

The  writer's  whole  mind  on  the  subject  is  briefly  expressed  by 
the  latest  and  perhaps  ablest  of  our  Baptist  controversialists — Dr. 
Carson.  "That  some  of  John's  disciples,"  he  says  on  this  passage, 
"were  afterwards  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  I  know,  is  dis- 
puted ;  but  for  my  part  I  can  not  see  how  this  can  be  denied  without 
torturing  the  Word  of  God,  which  I  will  never  do  for  any  cause 
■whatever."  I  may  add  the  supposition  that  these  disciples  were  not 
the  parties  now  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  does  torture 
the  Word  of  God  in  this  way.  1.  It  makes  the  pronoun  "them"  of 
the  6th  verse  jump  over  the  "they"  who  were  baptized  in  the  5th, 
and  go  back  for  the  parties  referred  to  in  the  3d  verse— a  kind  ofcon- 
struction  [after  using  the  same  pronoun  they  in  the  preceding  verse] 
which  is  not  to  be  paralleled  in  Scripture  nor  any  grammatical 
writing.  2.  It  positively  asserts  that  the  New  Testament  nowhere 
else  does,  that  John  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  John's 
was  the  baptism  of  repentance,  and  while  he  knew  the  Messiah  1o 
be  immediately  coming,  and  exhorted  the  people  to  believe  on  Him 
as  the  coming  one,  he  did  not  personally  know  Jesus  to  be  the  Mes- 
siah until  he  baptized  him  ;  and  there  is  an  evident  change  in  the 
phraseology  when  christian  baptism  [striotly]  is  described.  Compare 
Acts  ii.  3V  :  "Be  baptized  every  one  of  you  in  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus."  Acts  viii.  16.  "They  wTere  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus."  Acts  x.  48.  Peter  "commanded  them  to  be  baptized  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord."  3.  The  construction  we  oppose  must  be  follow- 
ed throughout,  if  at  all ;  and  (1)  this  would  make  Paul  to  have  laid 
his  hands  on  the  disciples  of  John  generally,  the  greater  part  of 
whom  he  never  saw.  (2)  All  those  disciples  to  have  spoken  with 
tongues  and  prophesied — or  thousands  before  the  day  of  Pentecost. 
(3)  Yet  "all  the  men"  to  have  been  only  "about  twelve." 


October  19th,  1849. 


T.  Curtis. 


334  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

Crawley,  Elder  Edmund  Albern,  D.  D.,  is  a  native  of 
England,  born  January  20th,  1799,  brought  up  in  Sydney, 
Cape  Breton;  graduated  from  King's  College,  Nova  Scotia, 
1819;  converted  in  Granville,  and  baptized  at  Halifax, 
Nova  Scotia,  in  1827 ;  abandoned  the  law  and  studied  Bibli- 
cal interpretation  under  Prof.  Moses  Stuart,  at  Andover; 
was  ordained  at  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  in  1830.  From 
1832  was  pastor  of  Granville  Street  church,  Halifax,  Nova 
Scotia,  for  thirteen  years;  became  professor  in  Acadia  Col- 
lege at  its  inception,  January  1839.  Brown  University  hon- 
ored him  in  1846  with  D.  D.  He  became  president  of 
Acadia  College  in  1854;  subsequently  spent  some  years  in 
the  United  States,  and  in  1867  resumed  professorship  in 
Acadia,  and  is  now  principal  of  the  theological  department 
in  that  college.  Dr.  Crawley  was  very  prominent  in  origi- 
nating the  educational  movement  among  the  Baptists  in 
Nova  Scotia,  and  also  in  carrying  forward  the  work.  /  He 
possessed  a  philosophic  mind  and  splendid  talents,  is  highly 
cultured.  He  is  a  sound  theologian  and  a  magnificent 
preacher.  (The  above  is  taken  from  Dr.  Cathcart's  Baptist 
Encyclopedia.) 

During  the  time  Dr.  Crawley  sojourned  in  the  United 
States  he  spent  a  portion  of  his  time  in  the  town  of  Shelby, 
N.  C.  He  was  pastor  of  the  Shelby  Baptist  church  in  1864, 
and  was  principal  of  the  Female  Seminary  in  Shelby,  he  be- 
ing then  a  member  of  the  Limestone  church,  Spartanburg 
county,  S.  C.  At  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Associa- 
tion in  1864,  he  was  a  delegate  from  the  Limestone  church, 
and  prepared  the  circular  letter  addressed  to  the  churches 
on  the  subject  of  " making  our  lives  correspond  to  the  meaning 
of  the  ordinance  of  baptism.'"  And  because  of  the  great  at- 
tainments of  Dr  Crawley  we  reproduce  the  letter  for  the  en- 
tertainment of  the  readers  of  this  work    which  is  as  follows: 

hear  Brethren  : — If  Baptist  views  are  but  Scriptural  views,  as 
we  all  confidently  believe,  it  must  be  admitted  that  our  faith  binds 
us  to  some  special  duties  in  relation  to  it ;  for  as  is  the  measure  of 
our  light,  so  must  be  the  measure  of  our  obligation. 

On  the  important  duty  of  enforcing  the  Divine  authority  of  bap- 
tism, by\  making  our  lives  correspond  to  the  meaning  of  the  ordi- 
nance, so  as  to  become  a  counterpart  of  the  main  truths  it  speaks, 
we  desire  now  to  address  you  in  a  few  earnest  words. 

By  many,  we  apprehend,  this  duty  is  feebly  appreciated.  We 
fear  there  is  often  a  zeal  for  the  truths  we  hold  that  consists  only  in 
outward  form,  and  is  unaccompanied  with  a  corresponding  zeal  for 
those  truths  in  their  design  and  power.  But  if  "the  immersion  of 
believers"  is  an  ordinance  of  God  of  so  great  moment  that  it  demands 
the  severance  of  all  previous  church  ties,  in   order  to  form  others  on 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  335 

this  new  basis — if  it  often  makes  it  a  duty  to  forsake  friends  and 
kindred,  and  turn  our  backs  ou  old  and  cherished  associations  that 
we  may  give  the  entire  weight  of  our  influence  to  the  baptized  dis- 
ciples of  Jesus,  it  surely  is  needful  that  we  show  to  those  from  whom 
we  are  thus  severed  that  it  is  more  than  a  form — an  idea — that  pro- 
duces the  painful  separation.  If  there  be  not  life  and  power  in  Bap- 
tist belief,  it  might  be  a  question  whether  the  wounds  that  are  often 
unavoidable  in  tearing  away  from  other  communions,  are  not  a  more 
serious  breach  of  the  law  of  love,  than  the  denial  or  neglect  of  im- 
mersion is  a  breach  of  the  law  of  form. 

But  we  hold  that  there  is  in  the  doctrine  of  baptism — that  is,  of 
the  immersion  of  a  believer  into  Christ — both  power  and  life.  Woe 
be  to  us  Baptists  if  we  fail  to  perceive  or  feel  it.  Is  it  not  the  admit- 
ted design  of  this  ordinance  to  give  new  force  to  the  highest  truths 
of  Christianity,  by  presenting  them  to  the  eye,  as  well  as  the  under- 
standing in  vivid  symbol  ? 

Baptism  proclaims  the  uncompromising  character  of  the  religion 
of  Jesus,  which  tolerates  no  superficial  work  as  fitting  a  man  for 
heaven.  No  more  adherance  to  forms,  however  just;  no  improve- 
ment of  character,  even,  however  amiable,  that  does  not  involve,  as 
•a  radical  and  essential  element,  ''being  born  again  of  water  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost."  The  ordinance  speaks  this  to  the  eye.  The  spec- 
tator is  made  to  feel  that  to  be  a  christian  is  a  vast  and  vital  change ; 
that  those  whom  he  has  seen  plunged  in  the  liquid  wave  are  not 
more  separated  from  their  former  worldly  companions  by  this  image 
Of  death  and  burial  than  they  are  severed  from  them  by  the  new 
principle  of  life  within  them,  to  which  they  are  thus  pledged  ;  and 
many  a  soul  has  retired  from  witnessing  the  ordinance,  troubled  in 
conscience  by  the  conviction  of  his  own  awful  peril  unless  he  himself 
become  what  immersion  vividly  points  to  his  view.  This  we  all 
profess  to  believe  and  know.  Do  we  not  also  know  that  this  spirit- 
ual power  is  to  many  lost,  when  they  can  derisively  point  to  the 
worldly  lives  of  Baptists  as  contradicting  what  we  claim  to  be  the 
divine  meaning  of  baptism?  Behold  the  Baptist,  then,  bound  by 
his  belief  and  his  profession  to  be  a  living  witness  in  his  life  and 
character  of  that  spiritual  element  which  the  ordinance  of  baptism 
proclaims ! 

The  degenerate  world  is  continually  falling  back  into  that  strong- 
hold of  the  enemy  which  puts  from  her  substance,  decency  of  out- 
ward deportment  for  radical  change  of  heart  and  character.  Behold 
the  Baptist  called,  by  the  special  voice  of  his  Divine  Master,  to  form 
one  of  a  select  band  who  shall  storm  that  fortress  and  level  it  to  the 
ground.  Baptism  is  the  ensign  that  waves  over  this  band,  for  it 
proclaims:  "Death  unto  sin,  and  a  new  birth  unto  righteousness." 
Who  are  you,  my  brother,  that,  by  a  cold  conformity  to  this  symbol 
as  a  mere  rite,  with  whatever  vehemence  of.  argument  to  support  it, 
are  yet  neglecting  that  newness  of  life  which  it  proclaims  ? 

Again,  baptism  significantly  sets  forth  the  purity  of  the  new 
life  which,   in  that  ordinance,   is  openly  commenced.     Now,  all 


336  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

agree  in  regarding  water  as  an  emblem  of  purity — an  emblem,  then, 
of  the  uew,  pure  life.  But  we  as  Baptists  hold  that  the  emblem  is 
enhanced  in  its  significance  by  the  copiousness  indicated  in  a  total 
immersion,  pointing  to  the  abundance  of  Divine  grace  obtained  by 
faith,  and  are,  therefore,  specially  pledged  to  a  life  of  purity — a  life 
which  means  not  merely  pureness  of  conscience,  as  of  one  cleansed 
by  the  blood  of  Christ,  but  pureness  of  heart,  intent  and  aim,  as  of 
of  one  sanctified  by  the  Spirit,  and  striving  after  a  perfect  conformi- 
ty with  that  fear  of  the  Lord  which  is  clean,  enduring  forever.  How, 
brethren,  does  such  profession  consist  with  Sabbath  breaking,  carous- 
ing with  idle  and  worldly  companions,  or  that  overweening  covet- 
ousness  which  has  spread  over  the  land  like  a  cursej — wasting  our 
spiritual  strength  more  disastrously  than  an  army  of  hundreds  and 
thousands  could  lay  waste  and  desolate  the  land  ? 

We  might  go  on  to  remind  you  that  the  act  of  immersion,  in- 
volving the  idea  of  being  planted  with  Christ  in  the  likeness  of  His 
death,  and  thus  becoming  a  special  foundation  for  the  assurance  that 
we  shall  also  be  planted  with  Him  in  the  likeness  of  His  resurrection, 
binds  the  baptized  believer  to  Christ  under  circumstances  of  signifi- 
cancy  that  no  mere  human  device  has  power  to  imitate  ;  that  by  the 
act  of  baptism  we  become,  in  a  peculiar  sense,  Christ's  men — bound 
by  the  most  solemn  of  all  pledges  to  obey,  to  love,  to  follow  Him  ; 
that  it  is  Christ's  voice  in  a  new  form  of  power  and  energy,  calling 
us  to  his  service;  and  that  its  solemnity  is  enhanced  by  the  won- 
drous appeal  made  in  its  administration  to  the  deepest  mystery  of 
faith— ''the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost ;"  but  we  forbear 
to  enlarge.  Let  those  few  remarks  suffice  to  show — what  every  in- 
telligent Baptist  admits — the  life,  and  power,  and  speaking  signifi- 
cance of  our  distinguishing  rite,  while  we.turn  to  ask  why,  with  all 
this  Divine  power  in  the  ordinance,  and  the  abundance  of  the  evi- 
dence that  the  immersion  of  believers  is  the  only  Scriptural  baptism, 
are  other  christian  communions  so  slow  to  render  obedience  to  the 
mind  of  Christ  on  this  point? 

It  is  not  that  these  are  destitute  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  for  many 
of  them  evince  as  much  piety  as  we,  and  often  more  than  some  of 
us.  It  is  not  that  they  neglect  learning  as  an  important  aid  to  a 
sound  interpretation  of  Scripture,  for  they  are,  in  general,  devoted 
to  sacred  literature,  and  diligent  in  its  use.  We  may  indeed  appear 
partially  to  answer  the  question,  by  surmising  that  they  are  con- 
trolled by  the  mighty  energy  of  public  opinion,  as  formed  and  sus- 
tained by  the  wise  and  good  of  their  respective  bodies ;  that  supposed 
personal  interest,  and  the  influence  even  of  more  unworthy  motives 
in  some  individuals  may  blind  them  to  the  truth.  But  does  it  not 
become  us  to  ask  whether  we  ourselves  may  not  also  be  one  great 
hindrance  to  the.progress  of  our  own  principles? 

If  baptism,  as  we  allege,  is  a  meaning  rite  of  most  significancy 

— if  the  sj^mbol  of  a  death  unto  sin   involves   also  as  a  consequent 

figure,  the  life  of  God  in  the  soul,  and  is  .enjoined  on  everv  follower 
of  Jesus,  in  order  that  by  his  burial  in  the   baptismal  wave  his  per- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  337 

sonal  death  unto  sin  may  beset  forth — nothing  is  more  reasonable 
than  that  those  who  differ  from  us  should  require  to  see  all  this 
evinced  in  the  pure  and  holy  Jives  of  the  baptized  ;  that  they  should 
demand  the  evidence  of  greater  grace  as  testifying  the  possession  of 
a  sounder  faith.  Are  we  able  to  render  that  evidence  ?  Can  we  con- 
firm the  Divine  authority  of  our  practice  by  pointing  to  the  purer 
piety  aud  greater  Christian  energy  aud  faithfulness  of  the  baptized 
churches  of  Christ  ? 

If  we  are  unable  to  do  this,  and  turn  in  sadness  and  shame  from 
the  inquiry,  then  must  we  acknowledge  that  we  ourselves  are  a  chief 
impediment  to  the  progress  of  the  truth  we  profess  to  love.  Is  it 
then  strange  that  others  fall  back  on  their  own  ground,  and  become 
doubly  encased  in  their  cherished  prejudices?  This  will  not  justify, 
indeed,  a  neglect  of  the  evidence  and  the  Scriptures,  nor  lessen  their 
independent  sufficiency  ;  but  it  may  tend  greatly  to  explain  why 
men  neglect  that  evidence,  and  may  bring  us  in  as  guilty  causes  of 
it.  The  Scriptures  are  the  sole  and  sufficient  exponents  of  the  Divine 
will  in  baptism ;  but  the  holy  lives  of  the  baptized  were  designed 
and  adapted  to  be  a  mighty  confirmation  of  that  will  ;  if  not,  indeed, 
"strong  as  Holy  Writ,"  yet  possessing  a  peculiar  fitness  to  win  atten- 
tion to  it.  The  lofty  edifice  of  error  has  been  often  shaken.  It  has 
seemed  again  and  again  to  be  ready  to  totter  to  its  fall.  May  not  we, 
brethren,  be  withholding  that  last  blow  that  would  level  all  opposi- 
tion, and  complete  in  the  church  of  Christ  a  perfect  copy  of  the 
Divine  pattern — "one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism  ?"  Let  those 
answer  the  question  who  have  grown  cold  in  the  faith,  who  restrain 
prayer;  who  call  not  on  God  in  their  families/  who  neglect  the 
assembling  of  themselves  together,  (as  the  manner  of  too  many 
is;)  who  spend  the  Sabbath  in  journeying,  or  in  idle  gossip; 
who  "grind  the  faces  of  the  poor;"  and  who  "are  hot  zealous 
for  the  truth  ;"  or  whose  hearts,  during  the  terrible  baptism 
of  blood  through  which  this  nation  is  passing,  are  more  intent  on 
amassing  money  than  in  relieving  the  distressed,  or  in  promoting 
the  cause  of  true  religion  and  holy  charity  on  the  earth.  And  let  all 
remember  that  a  zeal  for  our  peculiar  rite  is  only  a  shame  and  a 
mockery,  unless  we  can  point  to  the  piety,  and  purity,  and  active 
usefulness  of  our  churches,  as  attesting  the  Divine  character  of  the 
baptism  by  which  they  are  distinguished.  Our  Divine  Master  highly 
regarded  this  rite.  He  submitted  to  it  Himself,  with  the  striking 
words:  "Thus  it  becometh  us  to  fulfill  all  righteousness."  On  us 
descends,  in  His  providence,  the  duty  of  maintaining  by  holy  living, 
even  more  than  by  Scriptural  argument,  this  important  portion  of 
the  Truth. 

Is  it  not  time,  dear  brethren,  that  we  should  arise  to  a  more  seri- 
ous consideration  of  these  things?  If  we  are  the  depositaries  of  a 
special  trust,  must  we  not  expect  to  render  a  special  account  ?  Nay, 
even  now,  do  the  Divine  judgments  on  us  as  Baptists  slumber? 
What  then  shall  we  saj  of  the  spiritual  death-spread  over  too  many 
a  Baptist  community  ?  What  of  the  frequent  loss  of  important  fields 
43 


338  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

once  ours  to  hold  and  to  cultivate,  but  snatched  from  us  through 
coldness  and  neglect?  What  of  the  shameful  falls  of  distinguished 
names  among  us,  sending  a  pang  of  dismay  and  dread  to  the  heart's 
core  of  the  body  ?  And  what  of  the*  present  awful  crisis  in  our 
public  affairs,  of  which,  as  a  Divine  judgment  for  our  sins,  we,  as 
Baptists,  surely  take  our  share,  if  we  read  not  in  all  these  things 
special  indications  of  the  displeasure  of  God,  that  call  to  the  deepest 
searchings  of  heart  ?  and  among  many  sins  are  we  not  called  on  to 
confess  and  renounce  the  sin  of  failing  to  uphold  the  pure  baptism 
of  the  Scriptures,  by  corresponding  purity  of  heart  and  life — thus 
denying  practically  what  we  profess  to  believe  theoretically — and 
throwing  heavier  impediments  in  the  way  of  progress  towards  a 
Scriptural  view  of  the  ordinance  than  all  the  arguments  used  against 
it,  and  the  prejudices  that  give  them  strength? 

E.  A.  Ceawigy. 
August  26th,  1864. 


Crowder,  Elder  James  R.,  is  a  native  of  Rutherford 
(now  Cleveland)  county,  K  C.  Born  August  10th,  1821. 
Joined  the  church  at  Sanely  Run  in  early  life,  and  was  licensed 
to  preach  by  that  church  in  1840,  and  soon  afterward  ordain- 
ed to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry.  He  soon  be- 
came a  useful  and  popular  preacher,  and  at  the  session  of 
the  Broad  River  Association  in  1841,  at  Antioch  churc^i,  ' 
York  county,  S.  C,  he  made  his  first  appearance  in  the  as- 
sociate body  as  a  delegate  from  Sandy  Run  church,  then  an 
ordained  minister.    ' 

He  married  Miss  Biddie  Beam,  with  whom  he  lived  hap- 
pily and  in  tender  affection  until  his  death,  which  took  place 
November  14th,  1844.  Aud  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Broad 
River  Association  at  its  session  held  in  1845,  at  Philadelphia 
church,  the  following  notice  of  his  demise  appears: 

Resolved,  That  we  notice  on  the  face  of  our  Minutes  the  death 
of  our  beloved  brother,  Elder  James  Crowder,  whom  we  esteemed 
as  one  among  the  best  of  men,  and  though  we  have  sustained  a 
great  loss,  we  believe  it  to  be  his  eternal  gain. 

Elder  Crowder  was  just  in  the  bloom  and  vi^or  of  man- 

JO 

hood  when  called  away,  occupying,  it  would  seem,  a  field  of 
great  usefulness.  Although  his  opportunities  for  acquiring 
an  education  to  prepare  him  more  fully  for  the  arduous  task 
of  preaching  the  Gospel,  had  been  very  limited,  yet  he  had 
been  a  very  laborious  Biblical  student,  and  through  the  Di- 
vine unction  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  whose  influence  seemed 
always  to  accompany  his  efforts,  he  had  become  a  polished 
shaft  in  the  quiver  of  the  Lord.  His  manner  of  preaching 
was  of  an  exhortatory  character,  and  the  appeals  he  made  to 
his  audience   was   almost   irresistible,  and  seldom   failed  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  &S9 

make  good  and  lasting  impressions.  Revivals  frequently 
followed  his  ministerial  labors,  and  he  accomplished  much 
in  building  up  the  churches. 

Personal  Appearance : — Elder  James  1).  Crowder  was 
near  six  feet  in  height,  well  built,  stood  erect,  florid  com- 
plexion, fair  hair  and  blue  eyes,  features  liue  and  beautiful. 
We  thought  him  one  of  the  handsomest  men  in  the  pulpit 
we  almost  ever  saw.  Withal,  he  had  a  musical  voice,  and 
was  the  very  picture  of  good  health  in  his  entire  make-up. 


Craig,  Elder  Thomas,  of  JSTorth  Catawba  River  church, 
Burke  county,  N.  C,  was  a  member  of  the  Broad  River  As- 
sociation at  the  session  of  1820,  at  Mountain  Creek  as  a  lav 
delegate,  and  of  1825  at  Buffalo  as  an  ordained  preacher. 
We  suppose  he  was  taken  into  the  Catawba  River  body 
when  formed  in  1827.  We  have  no  information  as  to  his 
nativity,  age,  or  qualifications  as  a  minister. 

Crow,  Elder  Abram  first  appeared  as  a  licensed  preach- 
er and  delegate  from  Ebenezer  church,  at  the  session  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  at  Buffalo  in  1816-  At  the  sessions 
of  1823  and  1824,  at  Reedy  River  and  Head  First  Broad 
River  he  appears  in  the  Minutes  as  an  ordained  minister  and 
delegate  from  Friendship  church.  At  the  sessions  of  1825- 
'26  he  appears  as  a  member  and  delegate  from  Buck  Creek 
church.  In  ]830-'31-'32  he  turns  up  as  a  delegate  from 
Bethlehem  church,  which  church  was  dismissed  in  183.3  to 
aid  in  the  formation  of  the  Tyger  River  body,  and  probably 
carried  with  it  Elder  Crow,  as  we  find  nothing  in  the  Broad 
River  Minutes  respecting  him  after  the  last  named  session. 
We  have  no  reliable  information  as  to  the  nativity  of  Elder 
Crow,  but  think  he  was  of  Rutherford  county,  N.  C.  Of  his 
age  or  preaching  qualifications  we  are  not  informed. 


Cockerham,  Bro.  William  was  a  licensed  preacher  and 
delegate  from  Cross  Roads  church  at  the  sessions  of  1820- 
'21-'22,  of  the  Broad  River  Association.  We  have  no  sub- 
sequent account  of  him. 


Carroll,  Bro.  Henry  Williamson,   a  native  of  York 
county,  S.  C,  was  born  September  19th,  1819  ;  married  Miss 

Weathers,  of  Gaston  county,  'N.  C. ;  joined  the  Antioch 

Baptist  church,  and  was  lettered  to  Long  Creek  church, 
which  latter  church  licensed  him  to  preach  in  1840.  He 
was  a  young  man  of  some  promise,  and  had  a  good  English 
education.     While  in   the  discharge  of  his   ministerial  and 


340  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

other  household  duties  he  mysteriously  disappeared,  and 
has  never  heen  heard  of  since.  Foul  play  or  murder  has 
been  strongly  suspected  of  those  who  should  have  been  his 
friends.  Bro.  Carroll  was  a  delegate  to  the  Association  from 
Long  Creek  church  in  the  sessions  of  1842-'43-'44.  He  was 
respectably  connected,  and  leaves  behind  him  an  orphan  son. 


Dalton,  Elder  John  was  a  member  and  representative 
of  Bill's  Creek  church,  Rutherford  county,  1ST.  C,  as  far  back 
as  1802,  and  was  consequently  one  of  the  old  Broad  River 
pioneers.  •  At  the  sessions  of  1808  to  1811  his  name  appears 
in  the  Minutes  of  the  Association,  marked  with  an  asterisk 
(*,)  denoting  absence.  We  suppose  he  was  an  old  superan- 
uated  minister,  whose  name  was  continued  in  the  Minutes 
as  a  delegate;  that  he  might,  if  able  to  attend  the  session, 
still  serve,  which  it  is  known  was  the  practice  of  some 
churches  having  the  membership  of  old  ministers.  We  are 
unable  to  learn  anything  more  of  the  biography  of  Elder 
Dalton,  but  avail  ourselves  of  the  opportunity  we  have  to 
transmit  his  name  as  a  minister  of  Christ  to  the  present  and 
succeeding  generations  of  Baptists.  Doubtless  he  has  some 
surviving  relatives  or  friends  that  will  take  an  interest  in 
perpetuating  his  name,  who  will  be  entertained  agreeably  in 
the  perusal  of  a  sketch  of  him,  although  brief  and  very  im- 
perfect in  its  details. 


Davidson,  Elder  Adolphus  Junius  was  born  September 
18th,  1848  ;  converted  October  14th,  1865,  and  baptized  into 
the  fellowship  of  Camp's  Creek  church,  Cleveland  county, 
1ST.  C,  by  Elder  B.  Bonner  ;  was  licensed  by  the  same  church 
in  1872  to  preach  the  Gospel,  wherever  God  in  His  provi- 
dence might  call  him.  He  soon  afterward  moved  to  Ruth- 
erford  county,  N.  C,  where  he  was  ordained,  at  the  request 
of  the  Floyd's  Creek  church  on  the  27th  of  December,  1877, 
by  a  presbytery  consisting  of  Elders  J.  H.  Yarboro,  Alfred 
McMahan  and  J.  S.  Ezell.  Outside  of  his  boyhood  instruc- 
tion in  the  old  field  schools  he  has  received  some  instruction 
in  the  schools  of  Limestone  Springs,  Boiling  Springs  and 
Wake  Forest  College.  His  English  education  is  said  to  be 
tolerably  good,  with  probably  a  smattering  of  Latin. 

Elder  Davidson  since  about  1872  or  1878  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Green  River  Association  until  1880,  he  became 
a  member  again  of  the  Broad  River  body.  We  have  never 
had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  or  making  his  acquaintance,  and 
cannot  therefore  make  so  full  a  sketch  of  his  ministerial  life 
as  we  could  wish.     He  is  onlv   in  the  35th   year  of  his  age, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  341 

just  beginning  to  make  a  character  for  usefulness,  and  we 
hope  the  Lord  of  the  Vineyard  at  his  coming  may  realize  a 
great  amount  from  the  talents  entrusted  to  his  care. 

On  December  27th,  1877,  he  married  Miss  Ida  R.  Tyn- 
•dall,  who  we  hope  proves  a  worthy  and  pious  help-meet  to 
feim  while  toiling  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Master.  May  they 
both  have  an  eye  single  to  the  furtherance  of  the  great  cause 
in  which  they  are  engaged. 


Dlxon,  Elder  Thomas  was  born  December  24th,  1820, 
in  York  county,  S.  C.  ;  was  baptized  by  Elder  James  M. 
Thomas  in  1838,  and  ordained  in  1844,  Elders  Wade  Hill, 
T.  K.  Parsley  and  Spencer  Morgan  forming  the  presbytery. 

Elder  Dixon  has  been  instrumental  in  founding  several 
•churches;  is  a  zealous  revivalist  and  successful  preacher. 
His  manner  of  preaching  is  of  the  exhortatory  character,  in 
which  he  manifests  much  pathos.  He  is  considered  a  good 
pastor,  generally  having  the  care  of  three  or  more  churches, 
to  whom  he  preaches  once  a  month.  He  has  been  until  re- 
cently the  pastor  of  Buffalo  church  for  about  thirty  years, 
and  New  Prospect  church  for  nearly  as  long.  He  has  served 
New  Bethel,  Antioch,  and  several  others  acceptably  ;  is  now 
the  pastor  of  Sandy  Bun,  Bethel  and  New  Prospect  churches, 
to  which  latter  church  his  membership  belongs.  About  the 
vear  1848  he  married  Miss  Amanda  Elizabeth,  youngest 
•daughter  of  Abner  McAfee,  Esq.,  now  deceased,  by  whom 
he  has  three  sons  and  two  daughters.  His  eldest  son,  Elder 
Amzi  Clarence  Dixon,  was  the  late  pastor  of  the  church  at 
Asheville,  N.  C,  now  called  to  supply  one  of  the  churches 
at  Baltimore,  Md.  His  other  two  sons  are  now  students  at 
Wake  Forest  College,  young  men  of  much  promise. 

Elder  Thomas  Dixon  was  the  first  Moderator  chosen  to 
preside  over  the  deli  be  rations  of  the  King's  Mountain  Asso- 
ciation, or  rather  of  the  convention  that  organized  that  bodv, 
and  was  several  times  chosen  to  preside  since.  •  He  resides 
in  the  town  of  Shelby,  Cleveland  county,  N.  C,  and  yet 
prosecutes  his  pastoral  work  with  vigor,  and  wields  a  large 
influence  in  his  Association.  He  has  baptized  and'  married 
a  large  number  ot  persons. 

In  the  year  1854  a  Circular' Letter,  on  the  Nature,  Design 
<n«l  Application  of  the  Atonement  of  Jesus  Christ,  prepared  by 
Elder  Dixon,  was  read  and  adopted  by  the  body,  which  we 
here  reproduce.  Elder  Dixon's  scholastic  attainments  were 
somewhat  limited  and  circumscribed,  by  reason  of  being 
destitute  of  means  to  <>'et  an  education  in  earlv  life.  He, 
like  many  other  Baptist  ministers,  has  had  to  weather  the 
storms  of  adversity. ' 


342  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

CIRCULAR   LETTER. 

The  King's  Mountain  Baptist  Association  to  the  Churches  in  Union 
— Greeting  : 

Dear  Brethren  :— Agreeably  to  the   direction  given  us  at  your 
last  session,  we  address  you  this  year  on  the  Nature x  Design  and  Ap 
plication  of  the  Atonement  of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  nature  of  the  atonement  that  God  required  of  man,  after  he 
sinned,  was  such  that  he,  in  his  fallen  state,  could  not  render  satis- 
faction to  an  infinite  law  ;  hence  Christ,  as  our  surety,  came  in  as  a 
mediator  between  an  offended  God,  and  man  the  offender,  and  un- 
dertook the  great  work  of  man's  redemption,  in  order  that  he  might 
be  reinstated,  or  brought  back  into  the  favor  of  God.  He  came — not 
to  establish  the  first  covenant,  which  was  a  covenant  of  works,  and 
which  had  been  previously  broken  by  apostate  man — but  more  espe- 
cially to  establish  the  covenant  of  grace,  which  is  truly  said  to  be 
the  great  key  to  men's  salvation,  which  comports  well  with  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Apostle  Paul  in  his  letter  to  the  Ephesians,  ii.  8.  "By 
_grace  are  ye  saved  through  faith  ;  and  that  not  of  yourselves:  it  is 
the  gift  of  God  ;  not  of  works,  lest  any  man  should  boast." 

The  covenant  of  grace  was  entered  into  by  God  the  Father,  and 
God  the  Son,  ere  the  topmost  dust  of  the  earth  was  laid  ;  for  He  was 
set  up  from  everlasting  to  everlasting — the  same  yesterday,  to-day r 
and  forever.  The  same  unchangeable  I  AM.  And  when  we  dis- 
cover that  He  came  not  to  do  His  own  will  but  the  will  of  His 
Father  who  sent  Him,  we  at  once  see  the  peculiar  fitness  and  pro- 
priety of  the  Apostle's  language  when  he  said,  "God  commendeth 
His  love  to  us  in,  that  while  we  were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us." 
And  again  the  Prophet  Isaiah  [chapter -53d,  11th  verse,]  while  dis- 
coursing on  the  subject  of  Christ's  atonement,  breaks  forth  in  the 
following  language,  "He  shall  see  of  the  travail  of  His  soul  and  shall 
be  satisfied  ;  by  His  knowledge  shall  my  righteous  servant  justify 
many  ;  for  He  shall  bear  their  iniquities."  And  in  the  5th  verse  of 
the  same  chapter  it  is  said  :  "But  He  was  wounded  for  our  trans- 
gressions, and  He  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities,  the  chastisement  of 
our  peace  was  upon  Him ;  and  with  His  stripes  we  are  healed," 
The  word  atonement  properly  means  a  covering,  and  intimates  that 
our  sins  are,  by  a  proper  atonement,  covered  from  the  avenging  jus- 
tice of  God.  In  its  nature  it  is  generai — all-sufficient  to  expiate  the 
sins  of  the  whole  world,  although  special  in  its  application.  1  John 
ii.  2.  In  the  sacred  volume  we  see  many  beautiful  types  shadowing 
forth  the  great  sacrifice  that  was  offered  unto  God,  well  pleasing  in 
His  sight,  illustrative  of  that  eventful  offering  that  was  made  by  Christ 
on  Mount  Calvary,  to  which  we  would  briefly  direct  your  attention. 
By  a  close  attention  to  these  types,  the  nature  and  design  of  the 
atonement  will  be  simplified  and  made  plain  to  all.  By  reference 
to  the  law  of  sacrifices,  as  recorded  in  Leviticus,  you  will  see  that 
beasts  or  fowls  without  blemish  were  invariably  selected;  for  in- 
stance, the  gentle  dove  is  always  taken  as  an  emblem  of  innocence  ; 
or  the  ox,  fitly  representing  patience ;  or  the  lamb,   which  is  gene- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  343 

rally  regarded  as  an  emblem  of  meekness  and  humility, — all  of 
which,  conjointly  represent  traits  of  character  in  a  smaller  degree 
t  hat  were  amply  reflected  in  the  person  and  character  of  Jesus  Christ 
in  His  state  ot  incarnation  and  humiliation,  while  He  was  engaged 
in  the  great  work  of  atonement  for  the  sins  of  .the  world.  He  was 
meek,  innocent,  and  humble  indeed — opening  not  His  mouth  when 
led  as  a  Iamb  to  the  slaughter.  But  your  attention  is  particularly 
directed  to  a  sacrifice  recorded  in  the  xvi.  chapter  of  the  same  book, 
to-wit :  the  sacrifice  of  the  two  goats  that  were  to  be  offered  once  a 
year  for  general  atonement.  The  officiating  priest  was  required  to 
array  himself  in  linen  garments,  an  emblem,  no  doubt,  of  Christ's 
incarnation,  or  the  robe  of  human  nature  with  which  he  arrayed 
himself  when  he  came  to  expiate  our  sins  on  the  cross.  In  this  in- 
stance, on  the  appointed  anniversary,  or  day  of  sacrifice,  the  priest 
offered  expiatory  sacrifices,  both  for  himself  and  for  ail  the  people. 
Not  so,  however,  with  Jesus  Christ,  our  great  High  Priest,  whoneed- 
eth  not,  as  those  high  priests  under  the  law,  to  offer  up  sacrifices  for 
his  own  sins  first,  and  then  for  the  people  ;  for  He  was  holy  unde- 
fined and  without  sin. 

Another  difference  will  appear  in,  that  the  law  made  men 
priests  that  had  infirmities,  but  the  word  of  the  oath  since  the  law, 
inaketh  the  Son,  who  is  pure  and  consecrated  a  priest  forever  more. 
The  Priest  under  the  law,  on  the  day  of  atonement,  made  his  solemn 
entrance  into  the  holy  place  made  with  hands,  with  the  blood  of 
bulls  and  of  goats — typifying,  as  the  Apostle  plainly  declares,  the 
entrance  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  High  Priest  of  good  things  to  come, 
by  a  greater  and  more  perfect  tabernacle  into  the  holy  place  not 
made  with  hands— that  is,  into  Heaven  itself,  having  obtained  eter- 
nal redemption  for  us. 

Another  ceremony,  however  peculiar  to  the  law  dispensation- 
will  claim  your  attention  for  a  short  time.  Besides  the  bullock  and 
the  ram,  which  Aaron  was  to  offer,  the  first  for  himself  and  the  sec- 
ond for  the  people,  he  was  also  to  take  for  all  the  congregation  of 
Israel,  two  kids  of  the  goats  for  a  sin  offering,  which  were  to  be 
brought,  as  usual,  to  the  door  of  the  tabernacle  of  the  congregation, 
but  were  not  both  to  be  killed,  as  were  usually  done  ;  for,  by  a  cer- 
tain rite,  the  two  victims  were  selected  by  lot — the  one  to  be  offered 
in  the  accustomed  manner  unto  the  JLord,  and  the  other  to  be  pre- 
sented alive  before  the  Lord,  while  Aaron,  laying  both  his  hands 
upon  its  head,  confessed  over  it  all  the  iniquities  of  the  children  of 
Israel — their  transgressions  in  their  sins.  This  latter  was  called  the 
scape  goat,  which  bore  away  the  sins  of  the  people  ceremoniously  ; 
so,  Jesus  Christ,  though  reputed  as  a  sinner  among  men,  was  pure 
and  righteous  in  the  eye  of  God,  and  by  His  death  and  sufferings, 
bore  away  our  sins,  in  His  body,  on  the  tree  of  the  cross.  They  were 
imputed  to  Him  and  He  bore  the  punishment  due  to  them.  This 
-Wiis  typified  more  fully  by  the  goat  which  was  slain  and  sacrificed. 
The  flesh  and  blood  of  this  creature  are  sometimes  represented  as 
possessing  medicinal  qualities,  healing  maladies,  and  softening  rigid 


m  BIOGKAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

adamant,  which,  if  true,  is  a  fit  emblem  of  the  efficacy  of  Christ's 
blood  in  healing  our  sinful  leprosies  and  softening  our  hand  and 
strong  hearts,  and  changing  them  into  hearts  of  flesh. 

The  first  goat  was  an  emblem  of  Christ  sacrificed  for  us;  for  like 
other  sacrifices,  it  was  killed  ;  so  in  like  manner  was  Christ  put  to> 
death.  Its  blood  was  carried  within  the  vail ;  so  Christ  suffered 
without  the  gate.  But  let  us  direct  your  attention  more  particularly 
to  the  mystery  of  the  scape  goat,  before  mentioned.  Its  similarity 
in  some  respects  to  Christ  will  appear  obvious  to  the  most  superficial 
observer.  Like  the  other,  it  was  to  betaken  from  the  congregation 
of  Israel,  and  doubtless  it  was  purchased  with  the  public  money. 
So  was  Christ  taken  from  among  his  brethren,  and  bought  for  thirty 
pieces  of  silver  out  of  the  public  treasury.  That  He  might  be  num- 
bered with  the  transgressors,  and  bear  the  sins  of  many,  He  was  de- 
livered into  the  hands  of  His  enemies,  according  to  the  determinate 
counsel  and  foreknowledge  of  God,  and,  by  this  same  counsel,  was 
determined  to  be  done,  whatsoever  happened  unto  Him  ;  hence  it 
was  that  Pilate  was  deaf  to  the  remonstrance  of  his  own  conscience 
in  condemning  Him  who  was  just  and  without  fault,  and  hence  the 
Jews  preferred  a  murderer  to  the  Lord  of  life  and  glory,  when  they 
desired  that  Barabbas  should  be  released,  and  Christ  should  be  cru- 
cified. 

It  is  true  indeed  that  the  great  propitiatory  has  already  been  of- 
fered, never  to  be  repeated  again,  because  sufficient  in  its  nature  for 
the  healing  of  the  nations.  For  the  nature,  design,  and  application 
of  the  atonement  of  Jesus  Christ  was  to  prepare  a  people  for  Him, 
and  by  the  instrumentality  of  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ  by  faithful  ministers  of  the  cross,  to  a  lost  and  ruined  world, 
— God  attending  the  exhibition  of  His  own  Word  by  the  power  and 
efficacy  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  this  great  work  is  to  be  accomplished  in 
the  fullness  of  time.  "For  the  Gospel  is  the  power  of  God  to  every 
one  that  believeth  ;  to  the  Jew  first,  and  also  to  the  Greek"  or  Gen- 
tile. And  the  Savior  had  a  particular  allusion  to  this  when  He  said 
to  His  disciples,  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  Gospel  to 
every  creature.  He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved  . 
and  he  that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned."  It  is  clearly  set  forth 
in  this  passage  that  an  application  of  the  atonement  or  blood  of  Christ 
must  be  applied  to  the  soul,  to  cleanse  it  from  the  pollutions  of  sin, 
which  is  done  by  exercising  faith  in  Him.  For  Jesus  Christ  said  to 
Nicodemus,  "Marvel  not  that  I  said  unto  thee,  ye  must  be  born 
again"— born  of  the  water  and  of  the  Spirit.  The  design  of  the 
atonement  of  Christ  is  therefore  not  only  to  wash  away  our  sins  in 
His  own  blood,  but  to  prepare  our  hearts  by  the  exercise  of  saving 
faith  for  the  indwellings  of  His  Spirit.  "For  if  any  man  be  in  Christ 
he  is  a  new  creature — old  things  have  passed  away  ;  behold  all  things 
have  become  new."  And  it  is  also  said  that  "the  blood  of  Christ 
cleanseth  from  all  sin,"   haviug  our  hearts  sprinkled   from  an  evil 

conscience,  with  clear  water,  and  the  law  of  the  Lord  written 
therein,  which  is   the  happy  results  of  an  application  of  the  atone- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  845 

ment  of  Christ,  having  thereby  obtained  a  part  in  the  first  resurrec- 
tion, on  such  the  second  death  hath  no  power.  As  the  blood  of  the 
sacrifice  that  was  offered  the  evening  before  the  children  of  Israel 
left  the  land  of  Egypt,  they  were  to  take  the  blood  of  the  sacrifice, 
and  strike  it  on  the  two  side  posts,  and  on  the  upper  door  post  of  the 
houses  wherein  they  should  eat  it,  for  the  destroying  angel  was  to 
pass  that  night,  and  wherever  the  blood  was  not  applied  to  the  door 
of  the  tent,  he  was  to  destroy  the  first  born.  And  so  he  did  ;  for  the 
next  morning  when  they  arose,  the  first  born  of  all  the  Egyptians 
was  dead,  for  the  blood  was  not  applied  there,  and  the  destroying 
angel  entered  in  andreigned  there.  Now  what  hinders  us  from  view- 
ing Christ's  blood  in  the  same  sense?  The  Savior  said,  "Except  ye 
eat  of  my  flesh,  and  drink  of  my  blood,  ye  have  no  life  in  you  ;"  and 
this  plainly  teaches  us  that  we  must  individually  have  an  applica- 
tion of  Christ's  blood  applied  to  our  hearts,  or  the  destroying  angel 
(which,  in  a  spiritual  sense,  is  the  second  death)  will  have  power 
upon  the  soul  to  destroy  it  forever.  O,  the  blessings  that  atteiid  the 
nature,  design,  and  application  of  the  atonement  of  Jesus  Christ ! 
for  it  is  through"  it  that  we  have  the  glorious  Gospel  preached  unto 
us,  and  by  it  lost  sinners,  who  are  blind-folded  by  the  god  of  this 
world,  can  have  a  knowledge  of  themselves,  and  be  brought  into  the 
glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God,  and  be  made  partakers  of  His 
holiness.  But  the  Gospel  must  be  preached,  for  God  is  a  Spirit,  and 
they  that  worship  Him  must  worship  Him  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 
And  how  can  they  call  on  Him,  of  whom  they  have  not  heard  ?  and 
how  can  they  hear  without  a  preacher  ?  Does  it  not  therefore  behoove 
the  Church  of  Christ  to  use  greater  efforts  to  spread  the  glorious  Gos- 
pel of  a  crucified  and  risen  Savior? 

Dear  brethren,  permit  us  to  say,  in  conclusion,  that  without  an 
application  of  Christ's  atoning  blood,  sinners  will  be  lost  forever. 
May  every  child  of  the  Adamic  family  prayerfully  consider  this  im- 
portant subject,  and  prepare  to  meet  the  God  of  all  the  earth  in  peace, 
is  The  prayer  of  yours,  in  the  bonds  of  the  Gospel. 

Thomas  Dixoikt. 
October  20th,  1S54. 


Dixon,  Elder  Amzi  Clarence  is  not  properly  a  Broad 
River  or  King's  Mountain  minister,  having  left  the  bounds 
of  these  Associations  while  in  the  pursuit  of  an  education, 
hut  having  been  born  within  the  bounds  of  the  Kind's  Moun- 
lain  body,  we  claim  the  right  to  class  him  with  the  ministers 
of  that  Association.     , 

He  is  the  eldest  son  of  Elder  Thomas  Dixon  ;  was  born 
in  Shelby,  N.  C,  July  6th,  1854.  He  was  graduated  from 
Wake  Forest  College  in  1875  ;  read  theology  at  Greenville, 
S.  C,  for  a  time,  and  wTas  for  three  years  pastor  at  Chapel  Hill. 
•He  was  recently  the  pastor  at  Asheville,  N.  C,  where  he  had 
much  success  in  revival  meetings.  In  compliance  with  a  late 
call,  he  goes  to  take  charge  of  the  New  Baptist  church  at  Balti- 
44 


546  BIOGKAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


more,  where,  it  is  hoped  by  his  many  friends  here,  that  he 
will  distinguish  himself  as  a  successful  worker  in  the  Lord's 
vineyard. 


Doyale,  Elder  David  was  a  member  of  Xew  Salem 
church,  and  appears  to  have  been  an  able  and  prominent 
minister  as  earl}7  as  1808,  and  for  several  years  afterwards. 
Our  own  memory  reaches  so  far  back  as  to  have  heard  old 
people  speak  of  him  who  knew  him  well,  and  represented 
him  as  one  of  Broad  River's  ablest  preachers.  At  the  ses- 
sion of  the  Association  of  1808  we  find  it  recorded  that  Elders 
Drury  Dobbins,  David  Doyale  and  Joel  Blackwell  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  dissolve  the  Holly  Springs  church, 
which  had  become  unable  to  keep  house,  and  dismiss  or  let- 
ter the  members  thereof  to  other  churches  ;  and,  at  the  same 
session.  Elder  Doyale  was  appointed  to  preach  the  next  intro- 
ductory sermon  to  the  session  of  1809,  and  he  continued  to 
represent  the  same  church  until  1817.  When  he  was  born, 
or  when  he  died,  we  have  no  means  of  ascertaining  now. 
His  name  is  preserved,  however,  by  several  namesakes  he 
has,  which  is  some  evidence  of  his  being  highly  esteemed  as 
a  minister  of  Christ. 


Dobbins,  Elder  Drury  was  a  native  of  York  county, 
S.  C,  and  was  the  son  of  William  and  Susannah  Dobbins, 
both  of  whom  were  worthy  members  of  the  Baptist  church 
at  State  Line.  Drury  was  born  April  7th,  1776,  in  the  ever 
memorable  year  of  the  declaration  of  the  independence  of 
the  United  States. 

In  writing  a  notice  of  this  venerable  pioneer  minister 
we  can  not  avoid  falling  into  the  following  reverie  :  The 
genuine  glory  of  man  consists  in  his  nearest  possible  resem- 
blance to  his  Maker.  His  creation  was  the  fairest  page  writ- 
ten in  the  volume  of  nature,  and  intended  to  display  the 
brightest  signature  of  the  divine  hand.  The  hand-writing 
was  so  clear  and  legible  that  the  blessed  worshipers  around 
the  eternal  throne  could  read  in  it  a  new  and  surprising  ex- 
ertion of  their  Creator's  wisdom  and  benignity.  Since  that 
signature  has  been  defaced  and  almost  obliterated  by  sin,  it 
becomes  the  labor  of  mere}'  and  prudence  in  us  to  promote 
as  far  as  practicable  the  restoration  of  its  lustre,  and  to  re- 
kindle its  primitive  glow  of  beauty.  The  office  of  drawing 
anew  the  lines  of  holiness  and  virtue  upon  the  heart  oi  fallen 
man  has  been  undertaken  by  the  same  hand  that  first  wrote 
them  out.  God  himself  has  assumed  the  work  of  Restorer.- 
He  is  making  all  things  new  ;  He  is  overturning  the  old 
foundations,  overruling  for  His  own  glory  the  faulty  portions 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  347 

of  the  ancient  structure,  and  building  up  anew  one  which 
shall  contain  righteousness  and  true  holiness.  He  has  com- 
manded the  whole  human  family  to  co-operate  in  this  good 
and  necessary  labor  of  restoration.  He  has  proposed  a  sig- 
nal increase  of  happiness  to  us,  in.  calling  us  to  a  mutual  in- 
strumentality in  this  labor. 

But  this  commendable  enterprise  rinds  among  men  com- 
paratively few  advocates.  Some  contend  that  the  page  of 
human  existence,  as  it  now  stands,  is  fair  enough,  and  should 
therefore  be  permitted  to  remain  as  it  is ;  others  contend 
that  if  the  last  impressions  are  to  be  re-written,  the  hand  that 
first  drew  them  will  take  care  that  they  be  restored,  without 
the  interposition  of  any  subordinate  agents,  and  not  a  few 
give  themselves  no  trouble  on  this  subject.  They  are  content 
to  let  the  world  go  on  as  it  is;  they  charge  their  crimes  and 
follies  upon  fickle  chance  or  blind  fate,  and  wait  for  their 
destiny  in  a  sort  of  sullen  apathy. 

But  there  have  always  been  a  select  few  whom  an  ardent 
virtue  imparted  by  the  good  spirit  of  God  has  raised  above 
the  common  supineness  of  their  race,  who  have  exerted  their 
noble  powers  in  the  most  honorable  efforts  to  benefit  their 
fellow  men.  There  still  are  a  select  few  who  take  part  with 
God  in  endeavoring  to  restore  peace  and  order  and  happi- 
ness to  His  universe.  It  is  their  aim  to  renovate  the  moral 
character  of  man.  This  band  of  united  brothers  are  the 
true  benefactors  of  their  race.  They  are  the  hostages  which 
God  permits  to  remain  in  the  camp  of  His  enemy,  to  prove 
his  willingness  to  come  to  terms  of  reconciliation.  ,  They 
are  the  scattered  lights  which  prevent  the  surrounding  dark- 
ness from  becoming  total ;  they  are  the  priests  of  mercy  who 
run  betwixt  the  living  and  the  dead,  to  stay  the  destructive 
ravages  of  the  invading  pestilence.  In  a  word,  they  are  the 
orators  of  peace,  whose  badges  of  office  are  the  robes  of  sal- 
vation. They  are  of  one  heart.  All  their  labors  to  brighten 
up  the  blotted  page  of  humanity  have  a  remarkable  consent 
and  harmony.  Though  centuries  in  time,  and  oceans  and 
continents  in  space  divide  them,  they  speak  and  write  one 
language  ;  they  breathe  from  the  same  effusions  of  goodness; 
and  when  they  retire  from  their  labors  they  repose  in  the 
same  eternity  of  peace.  Heaven  accords  them  a  gracious 
welcome  when  they  die,  though  earth  feels  not  her  bereave- 
ment. Angels  receive  joyfully  their  brothers,  whilst  men 
forget  them.  Eternity  enrolls  them  among  its  jewels,  whilst 
time  frequently  blots  their  names  from  its  annals.  But  we 
must  not  imagine  that  their  removal  is  a  matter  indifferent 
to  all.  Many  anxious  hearts  pursue  them  with  all  those  dear 
recollections  that  memory  can  supply,  towards  the  mansions 


348  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

which  they  go  to  possess.  They  leave  behind  them,  all  those 
cords  by  which  they  were  bound  to  us,  and  we  to  them,  rent 
asunder. 

Such  is  the  train  of  our  reflections  in  view  of  the  short 
history  of  one  who,  with  his  numerous  coadjutors,  has  fled 
from  us  like  a  winged  dream — one  whose  morning  opened 
upon  us  with  great  usefulness  about  the  year  1800,  and  con- 
tinued for  more  than  f'ortv  years  brilliantly  to  enlighten  and 
bless  the  churches  under  his  care. 

He,  like  his  pious  father,  was  for  a  time  an  active  and 
temperate  deacon,  whose  fidelity  to  truth  and  honesty  was 
never  impeached.  His  mother  was  said  to  be  a  lady  like 
unto  Elizabeth  of  old — "walking  in  all  the  commandments 
and  ordinances  of  the  Lord  blameless."  With  such  fortu- 
nate surroundings  it  is  no  marvel  that  Drury  Dobbins,  being 
rightly  trained  during  his  minority,  waxed  strong  in  spirit, 
and  in  the  fullness  of  time  ("about  his  20th  year")  entered 
upon  his  great  life-work — the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ.  This  was  of  course  a  great  cross  and  trial  to  one 
who  had  never  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  education,  beyond 
the  very  restricted  confines  of  the  old  field  school  curriculum. 
He  had  very  little  knowledge  of  the  grammar  of  the  English 
language,  and  consequently  his  early  discourses  were  often 
the  subjects  of  criticism  by  the  more  learned,  and  he  was 
often  accused  of  "murdering  the  Queen's  English  ;"  still  his 
words,  though  unpolished,  accompanied  by  the  Holy  Spirit, 
as  they  no  doubt  often  were,  told  powerfully  upon  the  hearts 
of  those  who  heard  them.  He  was  one  of  Nature's  great 
men,  and  although  he  was  modest  and  unassuming  generally, 
he  was  by  many  recognized  as  an  oracle,  and  his  opinion 
carried  more  weight  along  with  it  than  the  .combined  forces 
of  those  who  under  better  auspices  had  temerity  enough  to 
oppose  his  views.  He  was  not  only  a  power  in  the  pulpit  to 
stop  the  mouths  of  gainsayers,  but  his  fireside  discourses 
were  just  as  potent ;  indeed  this  appeared  often  to  be  his 
great  forte.  It  was  customary  in  his  day,  during  the  annual 
sessions  of  the  Association,  not  only  to  discuss  intricate  and 
mysterious  questions  before  the  associate  body  during  its  sit- 
sings,  but  around  the  firesides  of  the  good  brethren,  where 
the  body  was  entertained  during  the  nights,  and  here  it  was 
that  Elder  Dobbins  seemed  to  take  pleasure  in  drawing  out 
the  ideas  and  views  not  only  of  ministers,  but  lay  members 
as  well  ;  and  any  one  having  on  their  mind  anything  in  ref- 
erence  to  texts  of  Scripture,  or  matters  of  experience  or  dis- 
cipline, was  requested  to  submit  it  to  the  little  conference 
for  consideration.  On  such  occasion  the  writer  of  this  notice 
could  not  refrain  from  unbosoming  himself  of  a  matter  which 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  349 

was  not  only  bearing  heavily  on  him  at  the  time,  but  was 
one  well  calculated  to  disturb  the  equanimity  of  the  little  so- 
cial circle.  We  had  been  perusing  Paine's  Age  of  Reason, 
.and  noticing  the  many  assaults  of  the  writer  upon  the  Scrip- 
tures; and,  by  reason  of  his  great  sophistry  and  astute  reas- 
oning, we  had  almost  been  deprived  of  our  true  balance,  and 
therefore  desired  some  discussion.  We  were  aware  that  the 
•evil  spirit,  or  wicked  one,  was  always  on  hand  and  ready  on 
such  occasions  to  surest  doubts  to  the  mind.  The  follow- 
iug  train  of  thoughts  had  been  by  some  means  evolved  :  It 
may  be  possible  after  all  that  rational  Deism  is  the  most  con- 
sistent system  of  religious  faith.  That  there  exists  a  great 
first  cause— a  God,  who  created  all  things  atter  the  counsel 
of  His  will — none  but  a  fool  would  presume  to  doubt  or  deny. 
The  works  of  nature,  as  displayed  to  our  view  and  senses, 
abundantly  prove  the  existence  of  a  Great  Architect,  who 
made  the .  worlds  and  put  into  motion  the  great  machinery 
of  the  universe  as  we  behold  it.  No  mortal,  frail  as  man  is 
intellectually,  and  much  more  so  physically,  could  possibly 
make  any  showing  in  an  undertaking  of  such  magnitude. 
The  most  sapient  and  astute  of  God's  creatures  are  only  able 
to  acquire  a  mere  smattering  of  the  systematic  machinery 
that  God  has  put  into  operation  for  the  government  of  the 
world.  None  does  therefore  doubt  the  existence  of  God. 
But  here  was  the  trouble  now  with  us  :  has  God  given  us  a 
revelation  of  His  will  ?  If  so,  is  the  book  called  the  Bible 
that  revelation  ?  Is  that  an  inspired  book?  Have  we  the 
evidence  sufficient  to  satisfy  our  minds  of  its  truthfulness  and 
authenticity  ? 

Elder  Dobbins,  in  reply  said,  the  question  unexpectedly 
started  by  us  was  a  very  grave  and  serious  one  that  had 
troubled  a  great  many  minds,  and  one  that  each  of  us  had 
to  decide  for  him  or  herself.  "In  the  mouth  of  two  or  three 
witnesses  shall  every  word  be  established,"  "if,"  said  he,  they 
be  good  ones;"  but  without  attempting  to  make  any  disqui- 
sition at  this  time  as  to  the  evidence  and  feasibility  of  the 
revelation  as  contained  in  the  Testaments,  we  will  only  add 
now  that  the  importance  of  revelation  is  by  nothing  render- 
ed more  apparent  than  by  the  discordant  sentiments  of  learn- 
ed men.  This  shows  the  insufficiency  of  human  reason,  and 
when  we  become  persuaded  of  this  insufficiency  we  should 
act  rationally  and  be  disposed  to  investigate  with  seriousness 
and  impartiality  the  truth  of  Christianity.  While  it  animates 
our  body  we  may  know  some  of  its  properties;  but  when 
once  separated  we  know  not  whither  it  goes  or  from  whence 
it  comes.  Since  then  the  Gospel  pretends  to  give  us  clearer 
notions  of  this  matter — we  ought  to  hear  it,  and  laying  aside 


350  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

.ill  pastjion  and  prejudice,  follow  that  which  shall  appear 
most  conformable  to  right  reason.  What  a  blessing  is  it  to> 
beings,  with  such  limited  capacities  as  ours  confessedly  are,,- 
to  have  God  himself  for  our  instructor  in  everything  which 
it  much  concerns  us  to  know.  We  are  principally  concerned 
in  knowing  not  the  origin  of  arts  or  the  recondite  depths  of 
science;  not  the  histories  of  mighty  empires  desolating  the 
globe  by  their  contentions ;  not  the  subtillies  of  logic,  -the 
mysteries  of  metaphysics,  the  sublimities  of  poetry,  or  the 
niceties  of  criticism.  These  and  subjects  such  as  these,"  prop- 
erly occupy  the  learned  leisure  of  a  few,  but  the  bulk  of  hu- 
man kind  have  ever  been  and  must  ever  remain  ignorant  of 
them  all.  Taking  this  view  of  things,  it  is  not  needful  that 
we  should  speculate  and  disturb  our  minds  about  the  matter, 
but  as  rational  creatures  "lay  hold  of  the  hope  set  before 
us'5  and  take  our  chances  in  the  paths  opened  up  for  us  in 
the  Bible;  and  if,  said  he,  it  ultimately  turns  out  that  the 
Scriptures  be  priest-craft — a  mere  myth — then  the  chances 
of  those  believing  in  its  truthfulness  and  adherinsi;  to  its  max- 
irns  of  truth,  honesty  and  fair  dealing,  will  be  found  on  as 
good  footiug  as  those  who  endeavored  to  subvert  it. 

A  disposition  more  or  less  to  skepticism,  he  said,  he  be-' 
lieved  was  common  to  our  nature,  in  proportion  as  opposite 
systems  and  jarring  opinions,  each  being  supported  by  a 
plausibility  of  argument,  are  presented  to  our  minds,  and, 
with  some  qualification,  we  will  admit  of  the  remark  that  he 
who  never  doubted,  never  believed.  While  examining  the. 
grounds  of  persuasion,  it  is  right  for  the  mind  to  hesitate. 
Opinions  ought  not  to  be  prejudiced  any  more  than  crimi- 
nals. Every  objection  ought  to  have  its  weight,  and  the 
more  numerous  and  forcible  objections  are,  the  more  shall 
we  finally  have  for  the  triunrph. 

At  last  we  are  compelled  after  in  vain  casting  about  for 
some  new  discovery,  to  lay  hold  of  the  atonement  made  on 
behalf  of  sinners  by  the  Son  of  God — the  doctrine  of  the 
cross,  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified  :  "Lord,  I  believe:  help 
thou  my  unbelief,"  Here  we  must  cast  anchor  unavoidably. 
It  surely  cannot  be  a  matter  of  small  concern  whether  the 
Creator  of  all  things,  out  of  mere  love  to  rebellious  men,  ex- 
changed a  throne  for  a  cross,  and  thereby  reconciled  a  puined 
world  to  God. 

Man  is  a  depraved  creature — so  depraved  that  his  judg- 
ment is  as  dark  as  his  appetites  are  sinful — wholly  depend- 
ant, therefore,  on  God  for  religious  light  as  well  as  true 
devotion,  yet  such  a  dupe  to  pride  as  to  reject  everything 
which  the  narrow  limits  of  his  comprehension  can  not  em- 
brace, and   such  a  slave  to  his  passions   as  to  admit  no  law 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  351 

b\x\  self-interest  for  his  government.  With  these  views  of 
•  iiuman  nature,  we  are  persuaded  we  ought  to  suspect  our 
own  decisions  whenever  they  oppose  truth  too  sublime  for 
our  understandings  or  too  pure  for  our  lusts.  To  err  on  this 
-side  indeed  is  human,  wherefore  the  wise  man  saith,  "He  that 
trusteth  to„his  own  heart  is  a  fool"  Should  therefore  the 
-evidence  be  only  equal  on  the  side  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ, 
I  should  think  with,  the  allowance  we  should  do  well  to  ad- 
mit it 

We  thought  the  remarks  appropriate,  and  felt  that  we 
were  benefitted  thereby,  and  therefore  commend  them  to 
such  as  may  be  laboring  under  a  like  hallucination  of  the 
brain,  caused  by  the  perusal  of  infidel  works,  or  otherwise, 

CHURCH    GOVERNMENT. 

We  give  from  memory  the  substance  of  a  conversation 
we  once  had  with  Elder  Dobbins,  on  the  subject  of  Episco- 
pacy. We  asked  him  for  the  Scriptural  authority  relied  on 
by  Episcopalians  for  the  three  distinct  orders  of  Bishop, 
Elder  and  Deacon  in  the  Gospel  ministry.  He  answered 
that  he  did  not  conceive  that  there  existed  in/  the  New  Testa- 
ment any  such  authority,  in  the  sense  maintained  by  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  church  in  the  United  States,  or  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  as  founded  by  Wesley,  or,  more 
properly,  by  Coke  and  Asbury.  He  insisted  that  Bishop  and 
Elder  were  synonymous  terms,  meaning  the  same  thing,  the 
former  having  no  jurisdiction  or  control  over  the  latter. 
The  idea  or  notion,  said  he,  that  there  is  Scriptural  author- 
ity for  placing  a  Bishop  or  superior  spiritual  head  over  the 
elders  of  the  several  churches  to  whom  they  must  make 
report  of  their  stewardship,  as  unto  men  and  not  unto  God 
alone,  is  simply  absurd,  not  to  say  ridiculous.  Bishops  and 
Elders  are  nowhere  named  together  as  being  distinct  orders. 
Not  so,  however,  in  reference  to  Bishops  and  Deacons— a 
Bishop  is  on  a  par  of  equality  with  an  Elder  in  regard  to 
the  administration  of  the  Word  and  ordinances  of  the 
Gospel — while  the  Deacons  are  .only  the  dispensers  of  the 
temporal  or  secular  affairs  of  the  churches — not  being  or- 
dained or  set  apart  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  We  ask- 
ed why  the  three  titles  were  used,  apparently  denoting 
distinct  functions  or  orders?  He  answered  that  simply  be- 
cause the  term  "Bishop"  was  in  existence  previously  in 
the  Jewish  church ;  and  when  the  organization  of  the 
christian  churches  in  Gentile  cities  involved  the  assignment 
of  the  work  of  pastoral  superintendent  to  a  distinct  order, 
the  title  at  once  presented  .itself  as  convenient  and  famil- 
iar to  all,  and  was  therefore  adopted  as  readily  as  the  term 


352  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

''Elder"  had  been  in  the  mother  church  at  Jerusalem.  Hence 
we  have  in  use  both  the  terms,  "Bishops"  and  "Elders"  from 
that  day  to  the  present  time,  but  in  every  sense  of  the  word 
they  are  of  equal  purity  and  significance.  Abuses  of  these 
terms  have  crept  into  the  church  surreptitiously  probably r 
caused  doubtless  by  the  promptings  of  ambitious  desires  in 
men  to  occupy  high  places  and  be  called  "Rabbi"  or  spir- 
itual lords,  or  potentates  in  the  church  of.  Christ.  In  the 
beginning  it  was  not  so,  but  gradually  during  the  great 
apostacy,  ministerial  purity  was  ignored  and  a  very  differ- 
ent system  of  church  government  adopted,  which  has  not 
been  properly  wiped  out  by  the  Reformers. 

Elder  Dobbins  said  further,  that  no  good  argument 
could  be  made,  from  the  fact  that  Phillip  (who  was  one  of 
the  first  deacons)  preached  the  Gospel  to  the  Ethiopian 
eunuch,  and  baptized  him  ;  that  therefore  deacons  as  such 
had  authority  to  preach  and  administer  ordinances.  Phillip,, 
he  said,  had  no  doubt  served  for  a  time  as  he  had  done, 
in  the  capacity  of  a  deacon,  and  afterwards  acceded  to  the 
ministry,  and  was  at  this  time  an  itinerating  evangelist  on 
his  wav  from  Jerusalem  to  Gaza  to  do  the  work  of  such  min- 
ister. 

Elder  Dobbins  was  religiously,  as  well  as  politically,  a 
democrat  of  the  straitest  sect ;  he  cherished  such  views  as 
were  conservative  and  tended  to  the  best  interests  of  the 
church,  and  also  of  the  State.  He  was  of  the  opinion  that 
the  affairs  of  church  and  State  should  be  kept  separate  and 
apart  from  each  other ;  that  a  minister  of  Christ  should  give 
his  whole  time  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  and  in  no 
case  turn  aside  to  dabble  in  the  mire  and  tilth  of  politics. 
Like  his  Baptist  predecessors  he  was,  however,  a  great  advo- 
cate of  soul  liberty.  He  was  one  of  those  who  greatly. 
admired  the  God-given  privilege  of  sitting  under  his  own 
vine  and  tig  tree  and  worshipping  the  true  God  according 
to  the  dictates  of  conscience,  not  fearing  or  in  the  least 
dreading  the  interference  at  any  time  of  the  emissaries  of  a 
state  church.  He  wished  the  National  Legislature  to  adhere 
rigidly  to  the  constitutional  and  wise  policy  of  liberal  tolera- 
tion to  all  the  different  sects  or  denominations  to  worship 
God  in  their  own  preferred  way,  according  to  their  under- 
standing of  the  teachings  of  the  Bible.  He  was  opposed  to 
any  interference  or  meddling  with  such  things  on  the  part 
of  the  Congress,  further  than  "to  say  their  own  prayers." 
In  other  words,  he  was  in  favor  of  the  people  ruling  the 
State;  and  the  clergy  and  laity  as  equal  peers  ruling  the 
church,  with  a  tree  ballot  in  their  hands.  Elder  Dobbins 
viewed  the   Episcopal  form  of  church  government  with  an 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  158 

eye  of  suspicion  and  jealousy,  believing  that  the  rights  of 
t lie  laity  was  not  properly  respected  under  such  a  system. 
We  have  heard  him  express  astonishment  that  so  many  of 
the  professed  advocates  of  religious  liberty  should  so  often 
be  found  encumbered  with  the  shackles  of  episcopacy.  It  is 
true,  he  remarked,  that  within  the  lastdalf  of  the  present 
19th  century  some  changes  have  been  made,  and  we  find 
now  in  the  various  Episcopal  conferences  of  the  last  few 
years  a  few  lay  delegates  which,  however,  is  rather  an  ex- 
ception to  the  former  rule,  and  an  augury  we  hope  of  a  revo- 
lution or  change  in  the  Episcopal  system.  But  why,  said  he, 
is  this  ?  Is  it  because  of  the  restless  attitude  of  the  people 
or  membership?  or  is  it  because  Episcopacy  is  radically  wrong 
and  inexpedient,  to  say  nothing  of  its  unscripturalness  ?  If 
the  people  at  any  time  have  fearful  apprehensions  of  popery 
in  a  new  dress,  let  them  at  once  begin  to  consider  the  evil 
nature  and  tendencies  of  the  Episcopal  system  of  church  gov- 
ernment. Let  them  judge  the  future  by  the  past  and  profit 
by  the  comparison,  said  Elder  D. '  There  can  be  but  little 
danger  of  priestly  usurpation  and  domination,  if  the  several 
churches  be  watchful  and  careful  in  the  maintenance  ot  their 
independence  and  reserved  rights  as  vested  in  them  when 
constituted  ;  but  if  the  inherent  rights  of  the  churches  should 
at  any  time,  by  latitudinous  construction,  be  gradually  sur- 
rendered, and  unlimited  delegation  of  power  be  made  to  a 
judicature  claiming  the  right  to  rule  all  for  the  general  good, 
then  may  we,  as  Baptists  begin,  when  probably  too  late,  to 
have  serious  apprehensions  for  the  future  welfare  of  our  in- 
dependent system  of  church  government  and  prepare  for  the 
manacles  that  such  a  course  would  be  productive  of  forging 
for  us.  As  Baptists,  however,  we  are  too  fond  of  freedom 
for  this  dire  result  to  overtake  us ;  it  is  necessary  however 
sometimes  to  sound  the  alarm'  at  the  approach  of  danger. 
It  is  our  province  to  raise  the  watch-cry  of  the  celebrated 
Patrick  Henry,  the  Virginia  statesman,  "Give  me  liberty  or 
give  me  death" — whether  it  be  religious  or  civil  liberty  that 
is  likely  to  be  imperilled,  it  does  not  matter,  for  they  are  in- 
separably connected ;  and  Baptists  should  be  ready  at  all 
times  to  contend  as  readilv  for  one  as  the  other,  because  the 
success  of  one  is  entirely  dependent  upon  the  success  of  the. 
other. 

SERMON  ON  BAPTISM. 

In  the  year  18 — ,  a  Methodist  circuit  rider  within  the 
bounds  ot  Elder  Dobbins'  diocese,  preached  several  times  on 
the  subject  of  Baptism,  with  a  view  doubtless  of  proselyting 
some  unsuspecting  young  member  of  his  flock  into  the  folds 

45 


354  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Society.  "With  a  view  to  foiling 
an  attempt  of  this  sort  in  its  earliest  incipiency,  a  few  of  the 
leading  Baptist  members  thought  it  advisable  to  urge  "uncle 
Drury"  to  preach  an  opposition  sermon  or  two  on  the  other 
side  of  the  mooted  question,  to  quiet  the  consciences  of  such 
as  might  be  zealously  affected."  He  consented  to  do  so, 
and  accordingly  published  an  appointment  for  that  purpose. 
The  appointed  time  arrived,  the  day  was  fair,  and  the  con- 
gregation was  extraordinarily  large.  Elder  Dobbins  usually 
had  good  congregations,  but  this  being  an  unusual  appoint- 
ment, brought  to  the  front  nearly  all  the  members  or  adhe- 
rents of  all  the  different  religious  sects  within  a  considerable 
distance  around.  The  preacher  read  his  text  from  Malachi 
iii.  3.  "And  he  shall  sit  as  a  refiner  and  purifier  of  silver; 
and  he  shall  purify  the  sons  of  Levi,  and  purge  them  as  gold 
and  silver,  that  they  may  offer  unto  the  Lord  an  offering  in 
righteousness."  [Rather  a  strange  text?]  We  were  on  hand 
for  the  purpose  of  hearing  and  taking  notes  of  the  discourse, 
which  was  substantially  as  follows  :  The  preacher  first  made 
some  prefatory  remarks  in  reference  to  the  morbid  state  of 
feeling  or  curiosity  that  impels  people  to  attend  controversial 
discussions.  He  did  not  denounce  the  practice  as  being  im- 
proper, but  it  evinced  a  disposition  to  glory  too  much  in  an 
arm  of  flesh — too  much  dependence  generally  being  placed 
in  the  colloquial  powers  or  astute  skill  of  the  speaker.  His 
motto  was,  "to  the  law  and  to  the  testimony  :  if  they  speak 
not  according  to  this  rule,  it  is  because  there  is  no  truth  in 
them." 

He  then  called  the  attention  of  the  audience  to  the 
preaching  of  John  the  Baptist,  in  the  wilderness  of  Judea, 
showing  from  the  Scriptures  the  nature  of  his  commission — 
to  preach  repentance  for  the  remission  of  sins — to  point  out 
to  the  people  the  coming  Savior,  on  whom  they  were  to  be- 
lieve ;  and  having  clone  this,  he  baptized  those  who  went 
out  to  him  from  Jerusalem  and  Judea,  and  all  the  region 
around,  in  the  river  Jordan.  What  could  be  plainer?  If 
John  baptized  only  those  who  were  capable  of  confessing 
their  sins,  and  then  baptized  them  in  the  river  of  Jordan, 
where  is  the  warrant  for  sprinkling  babies  in  the  days  of 
John  the  Baptist?  Of  course  there  is  none.  Jesus  Christ 
here  set  the  great  example  Himself  for  all  His  followers. 
He  came  from  Galilee  to  Jordan  to  be  baptized  of  John,  and 
although  John  felt  his  unworthiness,  yet  he  baptized  Him  in 
the  river  of  Jordan,  for  it  is  recorded,  He  went  up  straight- 
way out  of  the  water.  Matt.  iii.  16.  Now,  said  Elder  Dob- 
bins, if  King  James'  translation  of  the  Scriptures  be  correct, 
baptism  was    then    rightly    administered   by  immersion,  for 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  855 

baptism  is  immersion  itself,  and  the  subjects  were  such  as 
could  mike  a  confession  of  their  sins.  But,  says  an  objector, 
this  may  all  be  so  in  reference  to  John's  baptism,  but  the 
christian  baptism  afterwards  instituted  was  different.  "Go 
ye  therefore  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost — teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I 
have  commanded  you  ;  and  lo !  I  am  with  you  always, 
even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.  Amen  !"  The  foreo-oinu; 
is  the  christian  formula.  To  say  that  it  is  different  from 
John's,  is  a  mere  quibble,  and  unworthy  of  the  considera- 
tion of  any  candid  mind.  While  the  meaning  of  the  Greek 
word  "baptize,"  is  "immersion,"  in  English,  the  ordinance 
will  always  be  rightly  administered  by  immersion;  and  the 
subsequent  practice  of  Christ's  apostles  proves  its  validity 
beyond  the  possibility  of  a  reasonable  doubt.  Witness  first 
the  case  of  the  Ethiopian  Eunuch,  by  Philip,  the  evangelist. 
Acts  viii.  38,  39;  Rom.  vi.  3-5.  The  objector,  however,  says: 
If  Philip  and  the  Eunuch  both  went  down  into  the  water, 
then  were  they  both  immersed  ?  This  allegation  is  hardly 
worthy  of  the  name  of  a  quibble,  said  the  speaker,  it  is  so 
flimsy  and  devoid  of  common  sense.  What  says  the  Word  ? 
"And  they  went  down  both  into  the  water,  both  Philip  and 
the  Eunuch,  and  he  (that  is  Philip)  baptized  him."  Without 
himself  being  baptized,  of  course,  only  partially,  which 
would  render  the  baptism  incomplete,  and  without  point  or 
meaning — something  similar  to  baby  sprinkling,  as  to  sig- 
nification.    Away  with  such  nonsense! 

Elder  Dobbins,  then  passing  over  the  baptism  of  Paul 
the  Apostle,  with  proper  comments,  noticed  the  baptism  of 
Cornelius  and  his  friends,  and  Lydia  and  her  household,  and 
the  Philipian  jailer  and  his  (Acts  xvi.)  He  said  Lydia  had 
a  right  to  be  baptized  accordingto  the  order  of  Jesus  Christ, 
bjiiii>  as  she  was  a  believer.  But  before  an  argument  can 
be  drawn  from  the  circumstances  favorable  to  infant  sprink- 
ling, our  opponents  must  prove  that  Lydia  was  married  to  a 
husband,  and  had  infant  children  ;  that  her  children  were 
with  her  at  Philippi,  and  then  that  such  were  actually  bap- 
tized. The  language  employed  by  the  inspired  historian  ev- 
idently implies,  a  single  female  at  the  head  of  a  family  and 
at  the  head  of  a  business.  And  the  fair  conclusion  is  that 
her  household  were  servants,  or,  if  her  children,  that  her 
husband  was  deceased,  and  her  children  so  far  advanced  in 
life  as  to  join  in  her  journey,  her  business  and  her  worship, 
and  thus  they  would  be  capable  of  instruction,  faith  and 
baptism,  as  Christ  commanded ;  and  as  in  effect  plainly 
stated  of  the   household  of  the  jailer,  who  could  not  have 


356  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

been  infants,  or  persons  so  young  as  to  be  incapable  of  being 
taught  the  Gospel  aud  of  believing  it,  from  the  fact  we  read 
in  verse  32d  :  "they  spake  unto  him  the  word  of  the  Lord, 
and  to  all  that  were  in  his  house." 

Elder  D.  took  a  cursory  glance  at  several  other  passages 
ot  Scripture,  as  much  as  his  time  would  admit  of,  and  ar- 
rived at  the  conclusion  that  '"infant  sprinkling"  was  not  au- 
thorized by  the  S"ew  Testament,  but  had  its  origin  in  a 
corrupt  age  of  the  world,  when  the  Roman  Catholic  church, 
having  apostalized  from  the  true  faith  of  the  Gospel,  had 
become  a  secular  body  and  merged  itself  into  the  State  au- 
thority. Then  it  was  adopted  as  an  expedient  measure  to 
bring  the  whole  world  into  the  church  (so  called)  to  strengthen 
the  secular  arm  ;  then  it  was  that  the  laws  of  Christ  were 
iu'nored,  and  new  rules  and  regulations  entered  into  for  the 
convenient  government  of  the  church,  or,  more  properly' 
speaking,  hierarchy,  as  it  then  had  become.  The  ordinances 
as  once  delivered  to  the  saints  at  a  more  early  day  were  set 
aside,  and  those  christians,  yet  disposed  to  contend  for  sound 
words,  were  forced  to  wander  about  in  sheep  skins  and  goat 
skins,  of  whom  it  was  said  "the  world  was  not  worthy"  until 
the  days  of  the  reformation  by  Luther,  Calvin,  etc.,  when 
the  condition  of  such  were  somewhat  ameliorated  and  made 
more  tolerable. 

What  a  great  pity,  said  the  preacher,  that  the  Reformers 
suffered  this  relic  of  popery,  "infant  sprinkling,"  to  remain 
and  be  fostered  and  propagated  in  the  reorganization  of  the 
apostate  church,  which  was  then  groaning  for  deliverance  ! 
It  had  however  been  so  long  recognized  through  the  teach-. 
ings  of  wrily  Catholic  Priests  as  being  essential  to  salvation, 
and  by  them  considered  a  direct  passport  to  the  heavenly 
world,  that  ignorant,  priest-ridden  parents,  out  of  regard  to 
the  eternal  welfare  of  their  offspring,  were  thereby  induced 
tenaciously  to  hold  on  to  it  as  a  sine  quanon,  or  matter  of  life 
and  death.  And  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  vehement  earn- 
esty  and  thrilling  eloquence  of  even  Luther  and  Calviu,  with 
the  co-operation  of  the  many  other  reformers,  could  have 
succeeded,  in  case  they  had  at  that  time  leveled  their  batte- 
ries against  infant  sprinkling,  which  had  certainly  become 
one  of  the  main  pillars  of  popery.  Elder  D.  however  ex- 
pressed great  thankfulness  for  the  progress  of  Baptist  princi- 
ples within  the  past  century.  The  practice  of  infant  sprink- 
ling is  now  rather  the  exception  than  the  rule  in  many 
localities.  The  people  are  becoming  more  enlightened  on 
the  subject,  and  many  persons,  although  they  are  content  to 
remain  in  Pedo-Baptist  organizations,  yet  neglect  the  christ- 
ening of  their  children,   because  doubtless  they  make  it  a 


/ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  357 

matter  of  conscience;  and  finally,  though  gradually,  the  great 
popish  pillar  will  tumble  down  and  succumb  at  last,  after 
Laving  stood  so  long  doing  battle  against  the  opposing  forces 
«ot  truth. 

Elder  Dobbins  had  brought  into  the  pulpit  with  him  as 
helps  several  books  on  baptism  other  than  the  Bible,  and  had 
intended  drawing  upon  them  for-  sonic  items  in  reference  to 
the  savings  of  the  ancient  Fathers  and  the  many  fatal  ad- 
missions of  eminent  Pedo-Baptists,  but  declined  to  use  them, 
saying  the  circumstance  reminded  him  of  the  putting  on 
David,  Saul's  apparently  superior  armor,  which  he  had  not 
.used,  and  which  did  not  well  tit  him,  to  go  against  the  great 
Philistine  Goliah.  He,  like  David,  preferred  to  go  to  the 
brook  of  eternal  truth,  and  gather  from  it  the  five  smooth 
stones  as  arguments  he  had  just  used,  believing  that  under 
■the  guidance  of  the  God  of  battles  he  would  have  greater 
success. 

He  then  respectfully  addressed  himself  earnestly  and 
somewhat  pathetically  and  tenderly  to  his  young  circuit  rider 
friend  (who  was  present  in  the  congregation,  an  attentive 
listener  to  what  was  said,)  to  treasure  up  the  things  he  had 
heard  in  an  honest  heart,  and  weigh  them  well,  and  he  would 
implore  God's  blessings  on  him  in  his  researches  after  the 
truth.  We  never  heard  anything  more  of  the  baptismal 
•controversy  in  that  section  of  the  Lord's  vineyard.  1c  seems 
to  have  received  its  quietus,  and  the  sermon  doubtless  was 
productive  of  good  results,  and  we  therefore  favor  such  a 
eourse  in  opposing  error  whenever  there  exists  a  like  neces- 
sity for  it.  Faithfulness  becomes  the  followers  of  Christ,  It 
is  their  duty  as  well  as  privilege  to  "stop  the  mouths  of  gain- 
savers,"  To  contend  earnestly  for  the  faith  once  delivered 
to  the  saints;"  to  be  instant  in  season,  and  sometimes  even 
out  of  season,  if  such  can  be  the  case  in  the  discharge  of 
•duty,  having  always  an  eye  or  view  to  the  furtherance  of 
God's  glory,  and  the  defense  of  the  great  and  fundamental 
truths  of  His  Gospel.  In  a  course  of  this  kind  we  have  a 
right  to  expect  His  favor  and  blessing;  and  whether  it  meets 
the  approbation  of  the  world,  we  need  not  so  much  care,  so 
that  we  may  be  able  to  have  a  consciousness  of  having  done 
our  dut}\  Whether  the  circuit  rider  became  convinced  of 
his  error  or  no,  we  are  not  fully  aware,  but  we  do  know  that 
in  a  short  time  afterward  he  abandoned  the  Methodist  min- 
istry. 

FAVORITE  TEXT. 

"Walkabout  Zion,  and  go  round  about  her:  tell  the 
towers  thereof.  Mark  ye  well  her  bulwarks,  and  consider 
her^palaces,  that  ye  may  tell  it  to  the  generations  following." 


358  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Psalms  xlviii.  12,  13.  We  haveheard  Elder  Drury  Dobbins; 
at  different  times  on  the  above  favorite  text,  "Walk  about 
Zion,"  &c.  In  descanting  upon  these  lines  of  holy  writ  he: 
would  ask  his  congregation  to  imagine  themselves  literally 
walking  around  the  city  of  Jerusalem  in  solemn  procession,, 
and  while  they  joyfully  praised  and  blessed  the  Lord,  to- 
mark  all  the  towers,  walls  and  palaces,  observing  that  not 
one  of  them  had  been  in  the  least  injured  by  their  formida- 
ble invaders.  This  would  tend  to  impress  their  minds  and 
prepare  them  faithfully  and  diligently  to  preserve  the  memory 
of  these  interesting  events  for  the  benefit  of  future  genera- 
tions. This  exact  survey  of  Jerusalem's  walls  and  fortifica- 
tions, to  be  transmitted  to  posterity,  might  also  intimate  that 
they  were  typical  of  more  permanent  privileges,  and  they 
(the  walls)  would  after  a  time  be  demolished,  that  the  things 
signified  by  them  might  remain  forever.  The  followers  of  Christ 
should  therefore  endeavor  to  counteract  every  disposition  to 
faint,  despond  or  renounce  the  profession  of  the  Gospel,  be- 
cause of  persecutions;  considering  them  as  fatherly  correc- 
tions for  their  profit,  submitting  to  them  as  such,  and  seeking 
to  have  them  sanctified,  and  directing  and  encouraging  each 
other  to  take  the  same  course.  Thus  they  ought  patiently 
and  firmly  to  maintain  their  profession,  and  go  on  in  the  path 
of  holy  obedience,  and,  by  proper  instruction,  admonitions- 
and  counsels,  to  remove  every  false  doctrine  and  every  stum- 
bling block  from  their  pathway. 

We  are  unable  to  report  anything  more  than  a  mere 
smattering  of  the  good  things  he  said  on  this,  one  of  his 
favorite  texts,  in  which  he  seemed  to  take  so  much  delight; 
suffice  it  to  say,  his  audience  was  always  greatly  edified  by 
his  pleasing  and  burning  words. 

Elder  Dobbins  was  considered  by  some  who  had  not 
studied  him  aright,  a  Fatalist,  or  Antinomian,  as  others  would 
allege.  He  was  however  far  from  being  either  the  one  or 
the  other.  That  he  was  a  predestinarian  of  the  John  Gill 
school,  we  do  not  deny,  but  while  that  is  admitted,  we  claim 
that  he  was  not  onlv  in  company  with  Dr.  Gill,  but  also  with 
the  distinguished  Apostle  to  the  Gentiles,  both  ot  whom  ap- 
peared to  be  strong  advocates  of  the  doctrines  of  grace  as  set 
forth  in  the  New  Testament. 

He  was  denounced  too  as  a  ''Hard  Shell,"  opposed  to 
missions,  education,  and  religious  efforts  of  almost  every 
kind  to  spread  the  Gospel.  Such  an  allegation  is  not  only 
untrue,  but  destitute  of  any  solid  grounds  whereon  to  base 
such  a  charge.  His  whole  ministerial  life  proves  the  falsity 
of  the  assertion.  He  was  not  only  an  advocate  for  and  con- 
tributor to  Foreign   Missions,  but  in  the  Home  Mission  de- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  359 

jpaitment  lie  and  his  fellow-laborer,  Elder  B.  Hieks,  went 
-everywhere  among  the  churches  preaching  the  Word,  and 
iis,  in  the  apostolic  age,  much  and  lasting  good  resulted  from 
their  labors. 

In  regard  to  ministerial  education,  we  have  heard  him 
deploring  his  great  lack  of  seholastic  attainments — howgreat 
was  his  embarrassment  when  associated  with  the  more  learn- 
■ed  in  the  discharge  of  his  ministerial  duties,  to  acquit  himself 
properly  as  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed, 
rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth,  &c. 

We  have  however  heard  Elder  D.  repeatedly  say  that 
he  was  not  fully  iu  accord  with  the  idea  of  educating  young 
men  with  the  express  view  of  making  ministers  of  them,  in- 
dependently of  a  special  call  from  God,  qualifying  them 
expressly  for  the  great  and  responsible  work  of  preaching 
the  Gospel ;  that  it  is  abundantly  observable  that  God  often 
chooses  the  very  weakest  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the 
mighty,  who  gradually  grow  and  become  polished  shafts  in 
the  quiver  of  the  Lord,  and  that  such  are  the  characters  who 
aieed  and  should  receive  the  fostering  care  of  the  schools  and 
patronage  of  the  churches. 

In  tracing  the  life  and  character  of  Elder  Drury  Dob- 
bins, we  are  much  impressed  with  the  fact  that  he  was  one 
■of  Nature's  great  noblemen — that  few  are  found  to  he  his 
equal  peers.  It  is  truly  remarked,  there  is  no  man  faultless 
— all  have  their  foibles  to  combat — but  agreeably  to  the  gen- 
eral estimate  of  those  who  knew  him  best,  he  came  as  near 
iin  exception  as  it  is  possible  for  any  to  be.  He  was  very 
deliberate  and  dignified  in  his  manner,  and  somewhat  slow- 
in  arriving  at  a  conclusion — to  which  point  he  never  would 
arrive  until  after  he  had  examined  all  the  weak  points  of  the 
case  supposed  to  be  assailable.  But  after  having  done  this, 
and  finding  all  right  according  to  his  judgment,  he  then  took 
a  position  which  he  maintained  as  an  impregnable  fortress, 
and  defied  the  missiles  or  shafts  of  an  opponent,  come  from 
whatever  direction  they  might. 

Notwithstanding  Elder  Dobbins'  lack  of  scholarship 
was  deplorable  and  notorious  to  the  literary  world,  yet  his 
innate,  natural  powers  of  mind  and  memory  gave  him  the 
character  of  an  intellectual  giant — so  much  so  that  the  more 
refined  and  educated  dreaded  taking  a  tilt  with  him  in  debate. 
As  an  evidence  we  reproduce  from  Elder  Barnett's  history 
of  the  Broad  River  Association  the  following  incident :  "At 
the  session  of  1846  the  adoption  of  a  circular  letter  was  the 
question  before  the  body.  Dr.  Thos.  Curtis  took  a  very  act- 
ive part  in  the  debate  in  behalf  of  the  circular.  To  me  at 
that  time  he  was  very  singular  in  his  manners  in  debate.  He 


330T  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

signified  that  he  imagined  himself  almost  an  intruder,  espe- 
cially as  he  had  to  take  a  position  which  was  opposed  to 
Elder  Dobbins,  whom  he  seemed  to  regard  with  a  profound 
veneration.  He  perhaps  had  never  met  with  Dobbins  betore,. 
but  he  was  acquainted  with  him  from  character,  and  to  op- 
pose Dobbins  in  debate,  seemed  to  him  almost  like  opposing: 
an  oracle.  In  all  his  remarks,  therefore,  he  kept  his  eye 
steadily  on  Dobbins,  He  seemed  not  to  have  known  that 
Scruggs  wTas  the  Moderator.  He  stood  up  close  to  the  table., 
facing  Dobbins,  and  while  making  his  speech  he  would  fre- 
quently bend  down  with  his  face  nearly  to  the  table,  and  then, 
at  the  end  of  his  sentences  he  would  suddenly  throw  himself 
back  over  a  perpendicular  and  for  a  moment  look  tenderly 
at  his  brother  Dobbins,  as  if  he  would  ask  him  to  forgive 
him  for  what  he  had  said  amiss,  and  then  down  and  up  in. 
like  manner. 

LABORED  WITH  HIS  HANDS. 

Drury  Dobbins,  like  the  immortal  Dr.  Carey,  was  a 
shoe-maker,  and  understood  his  business  well.  Like  the 
Apostle  Paul,  although  not  a  tent-maker,  he  wTorked  with 
his  own  hands  to  support  himself  and  family  rather  than  be- 
come chargeable  to  the  churches  he  served.  For  near  forty 
years  he  served  one  church  as  pastor,  from  which  it  is  said 
he  never  received  anything  beyond  a  mere  pittance.  This- 
circumstance  is  not  mentioned  for  the  purpose  of  chalking 
out  to  other  churches  any  particular  course  of  duty,  but 
merely  to  show  the  disinterestedness  or  careless  indifference 
of  the"  man  in  reference  to  what  is  called  filthy  lucre  being 
an  inducement  for  him  to  preach  and  supply  churches.  By- 
hard  labor  at  the  lap-board  and  on  his  tarn),  coupled  with 
economy  and  frugality,  he  was  enabled  to  accumulate  a  com- 
petency  of  the  good  things  of  this  life,  temporally  speaking, 
to  render  him  and  his  quite  comfortable,  and  he  ever  appear- 
ed to  be  therewith  content.  He  had  plenty  and  enjoyed  it 
with  friends,  and  there  never  was  a  real  object  ot  charity 
turned  away  from  his  hospitable  door.  The  self-denying 
life  that  he  lived,  and  the  many  kindnesses  that  he  dealt  out 
to  the  poor  in  the  shape  of  charity,  accounts  for  his  great  and 
unbounded  popularity  among  the  people  he  served,  while, 
for  more  than  forty  years,  he  acted  as  a  faithful  sentinel  on 
the  watch-tower  of  Zion. 

In  early  life  he  married  Mrs.  Hannah  Sams,  nee  Miss 
Hannah  Calahan,  and  they  lived  harmoniously  together 
through  a  long  series  of  years,  during  which  time  a  daughter 
was  born  to  them,  who  afterwards  married  Richard  Harrill, 
Esq.,  from  whom  has  descended  a  numerous  progeny  of  re- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  161 

spectable  standing  in  the  community  where  they  live.  Mrs. 
.Dobbins  survived  the  death  of  her  husband,  which  took 
place  May  19th,  1847,  in  the  72d  year  of  his  age,  which  is 
suitably  noticed  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Broad  River  Associa- 
tion at  its  session  of  that  year.  [See  journalistic  part  of  this 
work.] 

Personal  Appearance. — Elder  Drury  Dobbins  was 
about  five  feet  10  inches  in  height,  of  square  heawy  build, 
weight  about  200  pounds,  somewhat  inclined  to  corpulency. 
In  early  life  his  hair  was  jet  black,  his  eyes  equally  so,  and 
very  penetrating.  Never  sported  a  moustache,  but  went  clean 
shaved,  believing  that  "beard  was  given  to  men  to  be  cut 
off."  He  had  a  large  'projecting  forehead.  In  late  life  was 
becoming  bald  and  dignified  more  than  ever;  nose  of  the 
Roman  type;  a  stentorian  voice  and  good  articulation.  Sel- 
dom ever  preached  a  sermon  of  more  than  an  hour's  length. 
There  was  so  much  dignitv  about  the  face  of  Elder  Dobbins 
as  to  make  it  impossible  for  any  one  coming  into  his  presence 
not  to  discover  at  once  that  a  great  and  good  man  stood  be- 
fore him,  and  thus  feeling,  by  some  incomprehensible  power, 
be  restrained  from  all  levity  or  idle  jesting,  or  frivolous  lib- 
erties of  any  kind  in  his  presence.  So  great  was  the  spark- 
ling tire  of  his  dark  eyes  that  it  was  almost  impossible  to 
take  a  full  face  view  of  him,  and  vet  he  was  effeminate  and 
kind  in  his  nature  and  manners  towards  his  brethren  and 
many  friends.  As  a  preacher,  he  was  a  close  student  of  the 
Bible,  while  he  was  also  familiar  with  many  of  the  best  works 
on  theology.  The  great  work  of  Dr.  John  Gill  was  with 
him  a  great  favorite ;  and  like  the  celebrated  Apostle  to  the 
Gentiles  and  Dr.  Gill,  he  would  often  say  :  "By  the  grace  of 
God  I  am  what  I  am."  He  felt  the  truth  of  apostolic  expe- 
rience, and  glorified  God  and  His  sovereign  grace. 

In  his  day  and  time  he  was  often  called  upon  to  combat 
the  liberal  doctrines  of  James  Arminius,  and  was  therefore 
denounced  by  some  of  his  followers  as  an  Antino- 
uiian  or  Hard  Shell,  which  he  but  little  regarded  or  cared 
for.  He  was  much  better  acquainted  with  the  foundation 
lie  stood  on  than  those  who  maligned  and  misrepresented 
him. 

As  we  have  no  access  to  his  religious  correspondence 
with  the  outside  world,  and  consequently  will  not  be  able  to 
preserve  from  oblivion  many  of  his  wise  remarks  and  say- 
ings, we  will  therefore  republish  two  of  his  circular  addresses 
to  the  churches  of  the  Broad  River  Association.  The  first 
on  the  subject  of  Good  Works,  written  in  1811,  while  he  was 
young  in  the  ministry ;  the  other  to  show  who  Melchisidec  ivas, 

46 


3G2  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

and  to  run  the  analogy  between  his  priesthood  and  that  of  Jesus 
Christ,  which  was  written  in  1888,  and  was  the  last  one  of 
the  many  circular  letters  prepared  by  him. 

CIRCULAR  LETTER,    ON   GOOD   WORKS,     BY   ELDER  DRURY   DOBBINS. 

Dearly  Beloved  Brethren: — For  your  establishment  iu  every 
good  word  and  work,  we  purpose,  agreeably  to  appointment  by  the 
Advisory  Council  last  year,  to  lay  before  you  a  short  epistle  on  the 
important  subject  of  "Good  Works."  Not  indeed  as  some  hold,  who 
depend  greatly  on  works  for  justification,  and  thereby  corrupt  the 
word  and  doctrine  of  the  Gospel — teaching  a  medley  of  works  and 
grace,  and  so  making  man  a  free  agent,  capable  of  keeping  the  law 
and  saving  himself.  This,  with  many  other  unscriptural  doctrines, 
wrested  to  prove  points  never  intended  (by  those  who  teach  for  doc- 
trines the  commandments  of  men,  "having  men's  persons  in  admi- 
ration because  of  advantage,")  we  are  to  avoid.  There  are  many 
questions  which  engender  strife  rather  than  edification,  that  we 
should  be  scrupulously  careful  to  shun.  We  should  rather  build  upon 
the  Apostles  and  Prophets,  Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the  chief 
corner  stone,  in  whom  all  the  building  fitly  framed  together,  groweth 
unto  an  holy  temple  in  the  Lord. 

For  a  further  illustration  we  will  attend  to  the  following  partic- 
ulars: 1.  Speak  of  who  may  do  good  works.  2.  What  it  is  to  do 
good.    And  3.  Consider  our  obligations  to  do  good  works. 

First,  who  are  capable  of  doing  good?  In  this  we  will  let  the 
A postle  determine,  for  saith  he,  "we  are  his  workmanship,  created 
in  Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works;"  whatsoever  God  hath  before  or- 
dained we  should  do,  and  walk  in  His  commandments.  He  hath 
saved  us  and  called  us  with  an  holy  calling — not  according  to  our 
works,  but  according  to  His  own  purpose  and  grace,  which  was  given 
us  in  Christ  Jesus  before  the  world  began  ;  who  gave  himself  for  us, 
that  He  might  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity  and  purify  unto  Himself 
a  peculiar  people  zealous  of  good  works.  Thus,  dear  brethren,  ac- 
cording to  the  Apostle  Paul,  it  is  those  who  are  divinely  influenced 
that  are  capable  of  doing  good  acceptably.  The  same  Apostle  saith, 
'the  natural  man  discerneth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit,"  for  they 
are  spiritually  discerned,  &c. 

Secondly.  What  it  is  to  do  good.  To  do  good,  implies  our  hon- 
est  endeavors  to  keep  all  God's  commandments  with  regard  to  Him- 
self, our  neighbor  or  ourselves.  Whether  it  be  the  performance  of 
duties  enjoined  by  God,  or  the  refraining  from  the  commission  or 
practice  of  sin  by  a  deceitful  heart,  or  outward  practice  at  all  times 
and  under  all  circumstances  of  life.  And  further,  to  do  good  pass- 
ively is  to  shun  every  appearance  of  evil,  to  give  no  offense  to  either 
Jew  or  Gentile,  neither  the  church  of  Christ.  Further  to  do  good, 
in  every  sense  of  the  word,  is  to  exercise  the  ability  which  God 
giveth.  whether  in  temporal  or  spiritual  matters;  and  doing  good  is 
not  only  comprehended  in  our  usefulness  as  to  our  gifts  and  graces 
which  are  given  to  us  for  the  edification  of  others,  but  we  are  also  tb 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  363 

.serve  the  JLord  with  our  substance  ;  to  feed  the  hungry,  and  clothe 
the  naked,  in  accordance  with  the  voice  of  revelation  ;  and  all  such 
acts  of  charity  done  to  His  poor  saints  are  the  same  as  done  unto 
Christ,  who  makes  it  a  reason  for  receiving  us  into  His  heavenly 
kingdom.  "I  was  an  hungered  and  ye  fed  me,  naked  and  ye  clothed 
me,"  &c.  But  as  the  work  of  redemption  by  Christ  hath  outdone 
all  other  works,  so  doth  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel  excel  every  other 
performance  by  man.  He  that  desireth  the  office  of  a  Bishop,  desir- 
eth  a  good  work  ;  and  let  him  that  laboreth  in  word  and  doctrine  be 
counted  worthy  of  double  honor.  Further  to  do  good,  is  to  assist 
those  who  minister  in  the  Word,  by  contributing  to  them  in  tempo- 
ral things,  and  relieving  their  minds  from  the  inordinate  cares  and 
anxieties  of  this  life,  which  is  both  reasonable  and  Scriptural,  or  the 
Lord  never  would  have  ordained  that  "those  who  preach  the  Gospel 
should  live  of  the  Gospel  "  For  this  object  we  are  exhorted  to  do 
good  works  for  necessary  uses,  and  would  any  man  deserve  the 
christian  name  who  does  not  feel  it  a  duty  to  consider  and  relieve 
the  temporal  wants  of  his  minister  or  pastor  ?  It  is  very  perceptible 
that  where  the  minister  is  neglected,  other  ordinances  of  the  Lord's 
house  are  attended  to  with  great  indifference,  and,  as  a  consequence, 
the  church  does  not  thrive. 

Further.  Although  good  works  do  not  sanctify  and  save  us,  yet 
\hey  are  the  natural  actings  and  operations  of  a  sanctified  heart,  and 
our  lives  while  in  neglecting  them  give  the  lie  to  our  profession  of 
upright,  holy  living.  Grace  is  given  for  exercise,  it  is  a  vital  opera- 
tive principle,  and  none  have  a  right  therefore  to  flatter  themselves 
with  even  the  dream  of  being  regenerate  while  they  indulge  in 
known  sin,  or  live  in  the  neglect  of  good  works. 

jSc-V  a  few  words  in  regard  to  the  obligations  resting  upon  us  all 
to  be  zealous  in  the  performance  of  good  works.  Good  works  are 
necessary,  as  they  belong  to  the  way  and  adorn  the  path  that  leads 
to  heaven.  "Without  holiness  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord,"  We 
must  not  only  enter  in  at  the  straight  gate,  but  we  must  walk  in  the 
narrow  path  that  leads  unto  life  eternal.  It  is  certainly  true  that  a 
life  of  sin  and  gross  impiety  leads  down  to  the  chambers  of  death, 
and  it  is  equally  true  that  Christ  leads  none  to  glory  in  that  way. 
It  is  true  we  may  be  in  the  way  to  heaven  when,  at  times,  we  are 
compassed  about  with  many  infirmities  and  groanings  while  living 
in  the  neglect  of  good  works,  and  without  proper  charity  towards  our 
fellow-men — in  which  case  we  do  not  enjoy  the  smiles  of  the  Savior. 
But  God  has  an  inalienable  claim  upon  our  obedience  and  service. 
We  are  his  by  creation  and  redemption,  and  should  feel  ourselves 
under  bonds  of  subjection  to  Him.  Neither  doth  the  liberty  of  the 
Gospel  cancel  these  obligations,  but  rather  lays  us  under  greater  ones 
to  yield  to  Him  unconditional  obedience.  Our  freedom  from  under 
the  curse  of  the  moral  law  does  not  free  us  from  it  as  a  rule  of  obedi- 
ence ;  hence  it  follows  that  a  life  of  rebellion  now  would  be  great  in- 
gratitude. Our  obligations  to  good  works  are  greatly  increased 
When  we  consider  our  redemption  by  Jesus  Christ   in  connection 


38-1  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

with  our  enjoyment  of  Gospel  ordinance— living  for  God  in  this 
world,  and  being  eternally  happy  with  Him  in  the  world  to  come. 
And  what  doth  the  blessed  God  require  of  us  for  all  these  inestima- 
ble favors?  Nothing  more  than,  our  thankful  lips  and  faithful  lives, 
and  that  we  should  be  ready  to  every  good  work.  How  unworthy, 
then,  in ust  we  be,  and  forever  feel,  while  in  a  course  of  disobedience. 
We  cannot  even  look  for  a  smile  from  His  countenance  while  we 
adhere  to  our  lusts  and  idols,  and  neglect  to  make  it  our  business  to 
seek  and  serve  Him.  Good  works  are  necessary  to  honor  the  profes- 
sion we  have  made,  to  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Savior,  and  to 
bring  glory  to  the  great  Author  of  our  being.  Nothing  brings  a 
greater  scandal  upon  our  holy  religion  than  the  unsanctifted  lives  of 
its  professors.  This  gives  occasion  to  the  enemies  of  the  Cross  of 
Christ  to  cast  a  stumbling  block  in  the  way  of  poor  souls  that  have 
begun  to  look  heavenward,  and  brings  dishonor  upon  our  blessed 
Savior  as  though  he  was  a  minister  of  sin.  We  hope,  therefore,  dear 
brethren,  that  you  will  see  the  necessity  of  good  works,  and  of  living 
a  holy  life.  Further:  good  works  are  necessary  to  our  inward  peace 
and  comfort ;  for  how  unhappy  and  uncomfortable  life  must  be  to 
have  our  own  hearts  condemning  us;  to  have  a  worm  gnawing  in 
our  own  breasts,  and  applying  the  terrors  of  the  law,  and  yet  this 
cannot  be  avoided  without  a  1  ife  of  good  works.  To  this  the  Apostle 
has  reference  when  he  exhorts  us  to  work  out  our  own  salvation 
with  fear  and  trembling.  Further  :  we  are  to  observe  good  works 
in  point  of  duty,  and  not  to  expect  a  reward,  or  merit  anything 
thereby.  Heaven  is  a  purchased  possession,  and  our  title  to  it,  and 
qualifications  for  it,  is  through  the  obedience  of  Christ.  In  this  re- 
spect He  is  our.  hope,  and  our  perseverance  in  the  way  that  leads  to 
the  inheritance  at  God's  right  hand  is  through  the  electing  love  of 
the  Savior.  When  we  rejoice  in  our  hope,  we  must  do  it  in  the 
strength  and  all-sufficiency  of  the  atonement  of  Christ.  Having  no 
confidence  in  the  flesh  [and  as  it  is  not  for  us  to  run  without  legs  or 
fly  without  wings,]  we  must  despair  of  all  sufficiency  of  ourselves, 
and  humbly  repair  to  the  source  of  all  power,  and  before  Him,  our 
Sovereign  and  Kink  Redeemer,  invoke  the  blessings  we  need — trust- 
ing in  Him  for  life  and  salvation.  Our  good  works,  although  desira- 
ble, and  good  in  their  place,  will  not  do  as  the  ground  of  our  hope. 
Let  the  life  we  now  live  be,  through  the  faith  in  the  Son  of  God,  and 
our  consciences,  be  relieved  of  the  deleterious  effects  of  a  dead,  un- 
productive faith.  The  servant  who  knows  his  master's  will  and 
does  it  not,  "shall  be  beaten  with  many  stripes."  And  Jesus  saith, 
if  ye  love  me  keep  my  commandments.  We  therefore  humbly  hope 
that  the  foregoing  observations  may,  by  God's  blessings,  lead  you 
forth  in  the  footsteps  of  the  flock,  and  may  you  be  safely  kept  by  the 
power  of  God,  through  His  grace  unto  Salvation,  that  you  may  fin- 
ish your  course  with  joy,  and  finally  reign  with  Him  in  a  state  of 
sinless  perfection  and  glory,  which  He  hath  prepared  for  all  those 
that  love  Him,  is  and  Will  continue  to  be  the  prayers  of  your  breth- 
ren in  the  bonds  of  the  Gospel.  Farewell.  D.  Dobbins. 
October  lsth,  1811. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  365 

CIRCULAR   LETTER. 

To  the  Broad  River  Baptist  Association — To  the  Churches  in  Union-: 

Beloved  Brethren  : — We  address  you  this  year  according  to 
a  resolution  of  last  Association  on  the  following  subject:  "To  show 
who  Melchisidec  was,  and  to  run  the  analogy  between  tils  priesthood 
and  the  priesthood  of  Jesus  Christ."  To  do  this  we  will  show  1st, 
who  Melchisidec  was  as  a  man,  2d,  the  nature  of  his  priesthood, 
and  thirdly,  that  Christ  was  made  a  priest  after  the  order  of  Melchi- 
sidec, and  not  after  the  order  of  Aaron. 

1st.  Who  Melchisidec  was,  hath  afforded  much  dispute.  Some 
Avill  have  him  to  be  Christ,  or  the  Holy  Ghost ;  but  Paul  calls  him 
a  man,  and  represents  him  to  be  greater  than  Abraham,  in  conse- 
quence of  his  being  a  priest  of  the  most  high  God;  Heb.  vii.  4-7, 
But  if  Melchisidec  was  a  mere  man,  who  was  his  progenitor,  and  of 
Avhat  family  or  tribe  was  he?  Answer. — The  Scripture  is  silent  on 
that  point,  and  historians  are  not  agreed  on  the  subject.  We  there- 
fore cannot  say  what  family  he  sprang  from.  Paul  says,  Melchisidec 
"was  without  father,  without  mother,  without  descent — having  neith- 
er beginning  of  days  nor  end  of  life,  but  made  like  unto  the  Son  of 
God,  abideth  a  priest  continually.  How  then  is  it  possible  he  could 
be  a  man  with  flesh  and  blood  ?  Answer. — Paul  was  speaking  of  his 
priestly  office,  that  he  did  not  descend  from  any  priestly  family. 
But  what  does  Paul  mean  by  saying  that  he  (Melchisidec)  had  neither 
beginning  of  days. nor  end  of  life?  Answer. — We  understand  Paul 
to  mean,  that  there  was  no  record  to  show  the  commencement  nor 
end  of  bis  priesthood.  We  learn  from  the  Scriptures  that  Melchisi- 
dec was  a  man  that  possessed  kingly  authority,  and  his  name  shows 
that  his  Kingdom  was  a  righteous  and  peaceable  one.  Melchisidec, 
King  of  Salem,  brought  forth  bread  and  wine,  and  he  was  priest  of 
the  most  High  God;  and  he  blessed  himaud  said,  "blessed  be  Abram 
•of  the  most  high  God,  possessor  of  Heaven  and  earth  ;  and  blessed 
be  the  most  high  God,  which  hath  delivered  thine  enemies  into  thy 
hands,  and  he  gave  him  tithes  of  alL  Gen.  xiv.  18,  19.  From  the 
above  quoted  text  it  is  evident  that  Melchisidec  was  a  man  that  lived 
cotemporary  with  Abram,  from  whom  he  received  tithes.  Paul 
illustrates  the  matter  clearly  in  the  following  text,  which  we  will 
take  the  liberty  to  write  at  some  length  : 

"Now  consider  how  great  this  man  was,  unto  whom  even  the 
patriarch,  Abraham,  gave  the  tenth  of  the  spoils;  and  verily,  they 
that  are  of  the  sons  of  Levi,  who  receive  this  office  of  the  priesthood, 
have  a  commandment  to  take  tithes  of  the  people  according  to  the 
law — that  is,  of  their  brethren,  though  they  come  out  of  the  loins  of 
Abraham.  But  he  whose  descent  is  not  counted  from  them,  received 
tithes  of  Abraham,  and  blessed  him  that  had  the  promises.  And 
without  all  contradiction  the  less  is  blessed  of  the  better."  Heb.  vii> 
beginning  at  4th  verse.  We  think  the  above  may  be  and  is  sufficient 
Jo  show  that  Melchisidec  was  a  man,  and  not  a  heavenly  being,  as 
some  have  supposed. 

2d.  We  are  to  show  the  nature  of  his  priesthood.     The  word 


36G  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

"priest"  signifies  one  that  is  divinely  appointed  of  God  to  offer  sac- 
rifices, and  intercede  lor  guilty  men.  (Num.  xvi.  47,  48,)  and  no  mam 
taketh  this  honor  unto  himself,  but  he  that  is  called  and  appointed 
by  the  Lord  ;  and  such  was  Melchisidec,  as  priest  of  the  most  high* 
God, — without  predecessor  or  successor  he  officiated  as  priest  as  long 
as  he  lived  ;  therefore  his  priesthood  is  called  an  everlasting  priest- 
hood. Heb.  vii.  3. 

Paul,  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  clearly  shows  that  the  priest- 
hood of  Melchisidec  was  far  superior  to  the  priesthood  of  Aaron,  as- 
the  Aaronic  priesthood  was  connected  with  the  ceremonial  part  of 
the  law,  and  was  confined  to  the  Jewish  nation.  But  Melchisidec 
was  king  of  righteousness  and  peace,  and  a  universal  priest  of  the 
most  high  God,  for  all  the  humble  worshipers  who  made  application! 
to  him. 

We  will  now  proceed  to  show  the  analogy  between  the  priest- 
hood of  Melchisidec  and  the  priesthood  of  Jesus  Christ .  That  Christ 
is  the  great  High  Priest  of  His  people,  and  hath  made  complete 
atonement  by  the  sacrifice  of  Himself  for  all  that  have  believed  or 
will  believe  in  Him,  is  evident  from  the  Word  of  God.  Heb.  iii.  1st, 
and  vii.  27.  Melchisidec  did  not  descend  from  any  priestly  tribe  or 
family— neither  did  Jesus  Christ,  the  great  High  Priest  of  our  pro- 
fession— for  it  is  evident  our  Lord  sprang  out  of  Judea,  of  which  tribe 
Moses  spake  nothing  concerning  priesthood.  Melchisidec  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  priesthood  by  God  Himself,  and  continued  in  that 
office  as  long  as  he  lived  ;  so  Jesus  Christ  was  consecrated  by  him 
that  swore,  and  he  will  not  repent.  "Thou  art  a  Priest  forever,  after 
the  order  of  Melchisidec."  Melchisidec  was  a  king  of  righteousness- 
and  peace,  as  well  as  priest  of  the  most  High  God.  So  it  is  said  of 
Jesus  Christ  that,  as  King,  He  should  reign  in  righteousness.  Isa. 
xxxii.  1.  And  Paul  said  that  He  [Christ]  is  our  peace  ;  through  Him 
we  have  access  to  the  Father.  Melchisidec  blessed  Abraham  /  so 
Jesus  Christ  ever  lives  to  make  intercession  for  and  to  bless  all  tbe 
spiritual  seed  of  Abraham.  Jesus  Christ  is  Priest  after  the  order  of 
Melchisidec.  Psalms  ex.  4.  Paul,  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  has 
reference  to  the  oath  of  God  in  the  consecration  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the 
prie itly  office  ;  and  to  show  the  exalted  character  of  Christ  as  High 
Priest,  shows  how  much  Melchisidec  was. superior  to  the  Levitical 
priests.  This  superiority  consisted  in  his  being  a  universal  priest  of 
the  most  High  God — appointed  to  officiate  for  all  true  worshipers 
who  applied  to  him, — whereas  the  Levitical  priesthood  was  confined 
to  the  nation  of  the  Israelites.  Nor  did  he,  like  the  sons  of  Aaron, 
begin  to  exercise  his  office  at  a  particular  age,  nor  cease  to  be  a  priest 
when  old.  But  in  his  priesthood  he  was  without  beginning  of  days 
or  end  of  life  ;  that  is,  he  officiated  during  his  whole  life.  If  there- 
fore Melchisidec,  who  was  only  a  type  of  Christ,  was  so  much  greater 
than  the  Levitical  priests,  how  much  more  was  Christ,  who  was  the 
Son  of  God— the  token  of  the  world,  universal  King  and  Priest,  and 
heir,  and  Lord  of  all  ?  Once  more,  Melchisidec,  as  priest  of  the  most 
High  God,  there  was  none  that  succeeded  him  in  the  priestly  office; 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  867 

as  such  his  priesthood  is  called  an  abiding  priesthood.  So  it  is  said 
of  Jesus  Christ :  because  He  ccntinueth  ever,  hath  an  unchangeable 
priesthood.  Wherefore  He  is  able  also  to  save  them  to  the  uttermost 
that  come  unto  God  by  Him,  seeing  He  ever  liveth  to  make  inter- 
cession for  them.  Saith  Paul,  after  showing  that  Jesus  Christ  was 
the  great  High  Priest  of  His  people,  and  that  His  consecration  and 
priesthood  was  after  the  order  of  Melcliisidec,  and  not  after  the  order 
of  Aaron,  He  goes  on  to  show  the  deficiency  of  the  first  covenant, 
as  connected  with  the  Levitieal  priesthood.  He  then  shows  the 
firmness  and  immutability  of  the  second  covenant,  as  connected 
with  the  sacrifice,  the  atonemeut  and  all  prevailing  intercession  of 
Jesus  Christ,  the  great  high  priest  of  our  profession.  Now  of  the 
things  which  we  have  spoken,  this  is  the  sum.  We  have  such  an 
high  priest,  who  is  set  on  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of  majesty  in 
heaven,  a  Minister  of  the  true  tabernacle  which  the  Lord  pitched 
and  not  man.  The  first  covenant  with  the  ordinances  of  divine 
service  in  connection  with  the  tabernacle  and  all  it  contained,  to- 
gether with  the  Aaronic  priesthood  offerings  was  not  sufficient  to 
make  him  that  did  the  service  perfect  as  pertaining  to  the  conscience. 
Heb.  x.  But  Christ  being  an  high  priest  of  good  things  to 
eome,  by  agreater  and  more  perfect  tabernacle  not  made  with  hands, 
that  is  to  say,  not  of  this  building,  neither  by  the  blood  he  entered 
once  into  the  Holy  place,  having  obtained  redemption  for  us.  We 
will  now  proceed  to  show  more  fully  the  priesthood  of  Jesus  Christ, 
what  he  has  done,  is  doing,  and  will  do  for  his  people.  That  Christ 
was  appointed  the  high  priest  of  his  people  before  the  foundation  of 
the  world  is  certain.  Psalms  CX:4— 1st  Peter.  1st  18.  19.  and  20. 
Zeehariah  speaks  of  Christ  (6th  chap.)  as  a  Priest  upon  His  throne; 
every  high  priest  taken  from  among  men  is  ordained  for  man  in 
things  pertaining  to  God,  that  he  may  offer  both  gifts  and  sacrifices 
for  sins  (for  without  the  shedding  of  blood  there  is  no  remission.) 
Wherefore,  it  is  of  necessity  that  this  man  have  somewhat  also  to 
•offer. 

We  come  now  to  speak  of  the  great  sacrifice  offering  made  by  our 
Great  High  Priest  on  Calvary,  where  he  gave  his  body  a  sacrifice  and 
his  soul  an  offering  for  sin.  The  hour  of  Christ's  death  (says  Blair, 
vol.  1,  sec.  5,)  was  the  most  critical,  the  most  pregnant  with  great 
events,  since  hours  began  to  be  numbered,  since  time  began  to  run. 
It  was  the  hour  in  which  Christ  was  glorified  by  His  sufferings.  No 
upbraiding,  no  complaining  expressions  escaped  from  His  lips.  With 
idl  the  dignity  of  a  sovereign  He  conferred  pardon  on  a  penitent 
fellow-sufferer.  With  greatness  of  mind  beyond  example  He  spent 
His  last  moments  in  apologies  and  prayers  for  those  who  were  shed- 
ding His  blood.  This  was  the  hour  in  which  Christ  atoned  for  the 
sins  of  mankind,  and  accomplished  our  eternal  redemption.  It  was 
the  hour  when  that  great  sacrifice  was  offered  up,  the  efficacy  of 
which  reaches  back  to  the  first  transgression  of  man,  and  extends 
,'<>rward  to  the  end  of  time  ;  the  hour  when  from  the  cross,  as  from 


363  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

an  high  altar,  the  blood  was  flowing  which  washed  away  the  gilt  of 
the  nations.  In  this  hour  the  long  series  of  prophecies,  visions, 
types  and  figures  was  accomplished. 

Significantly  was  the  veil  of  the  Temple  rent  in  twain,  for  the 
glory  then  departed  from   between  the  Cherubims  ;  the  legal  High 
Priest  delivered  up  his  Urim,  and  Thummim,  his  breast-plate,  his 
robes  and  his  incense,  and  Christ  stood  forth  as  the  great  High  Priest 
of  all  succeeding  generations.     Altars  on  which  the  fire  had  blazed 
for  ages  were  now  to  smoke  no  more.    Now  it  was  also  that  he  threw 
down  a  wall  of  partition  which  had  so  long  divided  the  Gentile  from 
the  Jew,  and  gathered  into  one  all  the  faithful  out  of  every  kindred 
and  people  ;  for  such  an  High  Priest  became  us  who  is  holy,  harm- 
less and  undefined — separate  from  sinners  and  made  higher  than  the 
heavens,  where  He  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for  His  people. 
That  Christ  was  to  be  an  intercessor,  or  was  to  make  intercession  for 
His  people,  is  certain.     When  Christ   was  called  to  the  office  of  a 
priest,  and  invested  with  it,   which  was  done  in  Council  and  Cove- 
nant of  grace,  He  was  put  upon  making  request  on  their  behalf— He 
is  bid  to  ask  them  of  his  Father  as  his  portion  and  inheritance  to  be 
possessed  and  enjoyed  by  him,  which  is  promised  him,  and  making 
such   a  request  as  he  did,  and  they  were  given  him.    Psalms  ii.  8; 
John  xvii.  6;  and  he  not  only  asked  them,  but  life  for  them— spirit- 
ual and  eternal  life,  with  all  the  blessings  and  comforts  of  life,  which 
upon  asking  were  given.     God  gave  him  the  desire  of  his  heart,  and 
did  not  withhold  the'request  of  his  lips.    All  blessings  were  bestowed 
on  his  chosen  in   him,  and  grace  which  is  comprehensive   of  all 
blessings  were  given  them  in  him  before  the  world  began.  Eph,  1.  3f 
and  2d  Tim,  19.    And  this  requesting  is  a  species  of  Christ's  inter- 
cession, and  an  early   instance  of  it,  and  of  its  success  in  it,  and  a 
specimen  of  what  was  to  be  done  by  him  hereafter.    The  intercession 
is  spoken  of  in  prophecy,  particularly  in  Isa.  liii.  12;  Christ  was  in- 
tercessor when  in  a  state  of  incarnation  and  humiliation.     We  often 
read  of  his  praying  to  God,  and  sometimes  a  whole  night   together. 
At  other  times  we  find  him  praying  for  particular  persons — as  at  the 
grave  of   Lazarus,   and  for  Peter  particularly.  Luke  xxii.  32.    He 
prayed  for  all  his  disciples  [John  xvii,]  which  is  a  specimen  of  his 
intercession  in  heaven.    Christ  is  now  interceding  in  heaven  for  his 
people  ;  Christ  performs  this  his  office  also  by  offering  up  the  prayer 
and    praises    of    his    people   which     became  acceptable    to     God, 
through  the  sweet  incense  of  his  mediation  and  intercesion.  Rev- 
viii.  o,  4. 

The  next  thing  to  be  con  udered  is,  what  Christ  makes  interces- 
sion for  more  particularly — for  the  conversion  of  his  uuconverted 
ones.  Neither  pray  I  for  these  alone,  says  Christ  [meaning  his  dis- 
ciples,] that  were  called,  but  for  them  also  which  shall  believe  in  me 
through  their  word.  John  xvii.  20.  And  for  the  comfort  of  those 
that  are  convinced  of  sin,  particularly  for  discoveries  and  applications 
of  pardoning  grace  and  mercy.     If  any  mm  sin,  we  have  an.advocate 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  369 

with  the  Father  for  strength  for  his  people  to  bear  up  under  temp- 
tation. 

Lastly  he  intercedes  for  their  glorification.  Father,  I  will  that 
they  also  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  where  I  am,  that  they  may  be- 
hold my  glory.  John  xvii.  24.  Christ,  the  great  High  Priest  of  his 
people,  reigns  as  King  and  Priest  to  bless  them.  Jt  was  promised  to 
Abraham  that  in  his  seed  all  the  kindreds  of  the  earth  should  be 
blessed,  unto  you  first,  God  having  raised  up  his  Sou  Jesus,  sent  him 
to  bless  you,  &c.  Acts  iii.  25,  26. 

Christ's  blessing  His  people  was  prefigured  in  Melchisidec,  the 
type  of  Him,  and  of  wThose  order  he  was.  This  illustrious  person 
met  Abraham  returning  from  the  slaughter  of  the  kings  and  blessed 
him ;  so  Christ,  the  anti-type,  has  blessed  His  people,  does  bless 
them,  and  will  continue  to  bless  them.  He  blessed  them  under  the 
Old  Testament,  and  after  He  had  offered  Himself  a  sacrifice  and 
risen  from  the  dead — before  His  ascension  to  heaven — "he  lilted  up 
His  hands  and  blessed  His  disciples,"  &c.     Luke  xxiv.  50,  51. 

We  will  now  observe  the  qualifications  of  Christ  to  bless  His 
people — His  fitness,  ability,  and  sufficiency  for  such  a  work.  As  He 
is  God,  or  a  Divine  person,  He  must  be  able  to  bless.  Blessedness  is 
a  perfection  of  Deity. 

Now  Christ  is  over  all,  God  blessed  forever  [Rom.  ix.  5,]  and 
able  to  do  exceedingly  abundant  above  all  that  we  ask  or  think. 
Eph.  iii.  20.  Christ  as  a  Mediator  has  a  fitness,  ability  and  sufficien- 
cy to  bless  His  people.  Who  can  doubt  His  ability  to  bless  his  peo- 
ple with  deliverance  from  sin,  Satan  and  the  Law,  since  he  has 
attained  eternal  redemption  for  them?  or,  with  a  justifying  righte- 
ousness, since  he  has  become  the  end  of  the  Law  ;  or  with  spiritual 
peace,  since  he  has  made  peace  by  the  blood  of  his  cross;  or  with 
salvation  since  he  is  able  to  save  to  the  uttermost  all  that  come  unto 
God  by  him.  All  that  are  blessed  of  the  Father  are  blessed  by 
Christ.  "Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,"  &c.  Eph.  i.  3 ;  Matt. 
xxv.  34.  Wherefore,  holy  brethren,  partakers  of  the  heavenly  call- 
ing, consider  the  Apostle  and  High  Priest  of  our  profession,  Christ 
Jesus,  who  Avas  faithful  to  him  that  appointed  him.  Seeing,  then, 
that  we  have  a  great  High  Priest  that  is  passed  into  heaven— Jesus 
the  Sou  of  God — let  us  hold  fast  our  profession,  for  we  have  not  an 
High  Priest  which  cannot  be  touched  with  the  feelings  of  our  infirm-' 
ities,  but  was  in  all  points  tempted  like  as  we  are — yet  without  sin. 
Let  us  therefore  come  boldly  unto  the  Throne  of  Grace,  that  we  may 
obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace  to  help  in  time  of  need. 

Drury  Dobbins. 
October  19th,  1839. 


Durham,  Elder  Josiah  was  a  native  of  Eutherford 
county,  K  C,  born  April  6th,  1801.  In  1829  married  Miss 
Mary  Trout,  and  shortly  afterwards  joined  the  church  at 
Sandy  Run,  and  was  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Elder  Drury 
Dobbins  until  in  1835,  he  was  licensed  by  said  church  to 
47 


370  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

preach,  and  in  the  year  1839  he  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry.  He  made  his  first  appearance  in  the 
Broad  River  Association  as  a  delegate  in  1835,  and  continued 
as  one  of  the  representatives  of  Sandy  Run  church  in  the 
subsequent  sessions  of  1836-'37-'38.  lie  was  a  pious  and 
devoted  christian  worker,  ever  at  the  post  of  duty  to  render 
all  the  service  he  was  able,  to  roll  on  the  wheels  of  Zion. 
Elder  Durham's  maternal  grand-father,  Benjamin  Davis, 
born  Dec.  24th,  1731,  was  a  brother  of  the  celebrated  Elder 
Elnathan  Davis,  the  Moderator  of  the  Saluda  Association  in 
days  of  yore,  and  said  to  be  a  relative  of  Ex  President  Jeifer- 
son  Davis  of  the  late  unfortunate  Southern  Confederacy. 
Elder  Josiah  Durham  died  August  2nd,  1810,  in  the  full 
triumphs  of  a  Gospel  faith. 


Durham,  Elder  Columbus  although  never  connected  at 
any  time  with  either  the  Broad  River  or  King's  Mountain 
Association  was  nevertheless  reared  within  the  bounds  of  the 
Kings  Mountain  body,  and  joined  the  church  at  High  Shoals, 
one  of  the  King's  Mountain  churches,  we  therefore,  transfer 
to  our  work  the  sketch  found  in  the  Baptist  Encyclopedia, 
by  Dr.  Cathcart,  which  we  fully  endorse. 

Elder  C.  Durham  was  bdrn  in  Rutherford  county  N.  C. 
Apr.  28th,  1844.  His  mother  was  the  sister  of  ex-Gov.  Baxter 
of  Arkansas,  and  of  Judii'e  John  Baxter  of  Tennessee.  Mr. 
Durham  was  baptized  in  September,  1860;  entered  the  army 
April  in  1861 ;  was  wounded  four  times,  though  but  a  boy,  was 
blessed  in  conducting  prayer  meetings  in  the  army;  was  re- 
ceived by  the  Board  of  Education  as  a  student  at  Wake  For- 
est in  1867;  Graduated  in  1871;  was  oastor  at  Goldsboro 
from  August,  1871,  to  January,  1876,  during. which  time  the 
membership  of  the  church  more  than  doubled,  an  old  debt 
was  paid,  and  a  pastor's  study  and  parsonage  were  built; 
settled  in  Durham  in  1876,  where,  by  his  labors,  the  church 
has  been  greatly  strengthened,  a  new  and  beautiful  house  of 
worship  has  been  built,  also  a  parsonage.  Mr.  Durham  has 
preached  in  twenty-five  counties  in  North  Carolina  and  three 
in  South  Carolina,  and  has  baptized  over  300  persons.  He 
is  a  trustee  of  Wake  Forest  College. 

We  take  pleasure  in  adding  that  Elder  Durham  is  among 
the  most  promising  young  ministers  belonging  to  the  Baptist 
denomination  in  the  State. 


Elam,  Elder  Philip  Ramsour  was  born  in  Rutherrord 
county  (now  Cleveland,)  1ST.  C,  March  12th,  1833;  converted 
and  joined  the  church  in  1848,  in  the  15th  year  ol  his  age. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  371 

Licensed  to  preach  by  the  New  Bethel  church,  September 
15th,  1854,  and  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  represent  said 
church  in  the  sessions  of  the  King's  Mountain  Association 
in  1855-'56-'57-'58-'59-'60.  About  this  time  he  volunteer- 
ed in  South  Carolina,  and  was  at  Col.  Anderson's  surrender 
or' Fort  Sumter.  He  afterwards  volunteered  in  Col.  Conley's 
55th  N.  C.  Regiment,  and  in  the  engagement  at  Gettvsburi^ 
was  wounded  and  captured  by  the  enemy  and  was  impris- 
oned nine  months  at  Johnson's  Island,  Ohio.  lie  w'as  a  Lieu- 
tenant of  his  company,  and  was  wounded  in  front  of  Peters- 
burg, Va.,  August  5th,  1864,  after  which  he  returned  home 
and  represented  his  church  in  the  sessions  of  the  Association 
in  1865-'66—  67,  and  in  1868  appears  in  the  Minutes  as  the  pas- 
tor of  the  Bethlehem  church,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  he  mar- 
ried Mrs.  Mary  J.  Crawford,  nee  Miss  M.  J.  Barber,  by  whom 
he  is  rearing  a  very  interesting  family. 

Elder  Elam,  although  a  hard-working  tiller  of  the  soil, 
does  a  great  deal  of  pastoral  and  sometimes  missionary  and 
Sunday-school  work.  He  has  the  reputation  of  being  an  in- 
defatigable worker  at  anything  he  takes  in  hand.  His  op- 
portunities for  acquiring  an  education  have  been  very  limited, 
but  with  the  smattering  he  has  acquired,  with  a  close  appli- 
cation to  Bible  study  and  other  good  books  as  helpers,  he 
has  become  an  acceptable  preacher  and  successful  pastor. 
He  has  many  seals  to  his  ministry,  and  being  now  in  the 
bloom  and  vigor  of  life,  we  have  much  of  future  usefulness 
to  hope  for.     May  our  expectations  be  realized  abundantly. 

Elder  Elam  never  fails  to  be  on  hand  at  the  annual  ses- 
sions of  the  Association — not  as  an  idle  spectator,  but  as  a 
vigilant  and  active  representative  of  the  best  interests  of  the 
spiritual  brotherhood.  At  the  session  of  1866  he  preached 
ihe  introductory  sermon  before  the  body  with  much  accept- 
ance, and  whatever  his  hands  finds  to  do  he  does  it  with  all 
his  might. 


Ezell,  Elder  John  Swilliving  was  born  January  29th, 
1825,  in  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  Baptized  by  Elder  Jas. 
M.  Webb  into  the  fellowship  of  Buck  Creek  Baptist  church 
in  1840,  and  was  in  1841  orally  licensed  by  said  church  to 
preach  the  Gospel.  He  intermarried  with  Miss  Margaret 
Mahala  Thomas,  (a  pious,  christian  lady,)  daughter  of  Dea- 
con John  Thomas,  of  Macedonia  church  July  21st,  1842,  and 
the  next  year  was  lettered  to  said  Macedonia  church,  and  in 
1844  regularly  licensed  to  preach  'the  Gospel.  In  1846  a 
presbytery  was  convened  consisting  of  Elders  Drury  Scruggs, 
Dr.  F.  W.  Littlejohn  and  W.  B.  Padgett,  who  ordained Bro. 
Ezell  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry,  and  the  same  year  he 


372  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

appears  in  the  Minutes  as  a  delegate  to  the  Association  from 
Macedonia  church,  which  position  he  has  occupied  either 
from  one  church  or  another  up  to  the  year  1876,  when  he 
became  a  member  of  the  Spartanburg  Association.  During 
the  many  years  that  he  belonged  to  the  old  Broad  River 
body  he  was  an  active  and  useful  member,  and  at  the  sessions 
of  1873-'74  was  chosen  to  preside  as  Moderator. 

In  early  life  Elder  Ezell  had  received  very  little  scholas- 
tic training.  To  use  his  own  language  :  "In  my  school  days 
I  never  saw  an  English  Grammar.  When  I  married  I  could 
not  read  a  chapter  in  the  New  Testament  correctly ;  my 
wife  aided  me  greatly  in  learning  to  read."  lie  has  reared 
a  family  of  four  sons  and  two  daughters,  two  of  the  sons 
being  preachers,  and  the  others  Sabbath-school  workers; 
and  to  their  credit  be  it  said  they  are  all  Good  Templars, 
and  none  of  them  use  tobacco.  Bro.  Ezell  says  this  is  largely 
attributable  to  the  care  and  influence  of  their  mother. 

Elder  Ezell  takes  rank  now  among  the  able  ministers  of 
the  New  Testament.  He  has,  during  his  ministerial  career, 
performed  a  great  deal  of  arduous  labor — sometimes  as  a 
missionary,  but  mostly  as  a  pastor,  being  well  rewarded  with 
many  seals  to  his  ministry.  He  is  yet  an  active  worker  in 
the  Lord's  vineyard,  and  we  hope  his  future  labors  may  be 
productive  of  much  and  lasting  good  to  the  churches  and 
people  where  he  operates. 

Elder  E.  prepared  the  circular  letter  addressed  to  the 
churches  in  1859,  on  the  subject  of  Personal  Piety,  which  we 
here  reproduce  : 

CIRCULAR  LETTER. 

The  Broad  River  Baptist  Association — To  the  Churches  in  Union — 
Greeting  : 

Dear  Brethren  : — According  to  an  arrangement  made  at  our 
last  annual  meeting,  we  address  you  this  year  upon  the  subject  of 
Personal  Piety.  But  in  directing  your  attention  to  a  subject  of  such 
high  magnitude,  and  to  the  consideration  of  a  subject  of  such  vast 
importance,  we  have  great  reasons  for  fear  that,  in  a  short  letter,  we 
shall  be  unable  to  do  it  that  justice  to  which  it  is  so  eminently  enti- 
tled. For  when  we  take  into  consideration  the  stress  that  is  laid 
upon  it  in  the  Word  of  God,  both  as  respects  the  manner  in  which 
it  is  stated  and  the  frequency  with  which  it  is  enjoined,  sufficient  is 
proven  to  show  us  the  powerful  influence  it  has  in  the  christian 
church,  for  it  is  spoken  of  and  known  to  be  one  of  the  best  proofs  of 
the  truth  of  Christianity,  and  one  of  the  best  means  for  converting 
the  world.  That  none  are  truly  pious  but  the  truly  converted,  is  so 
plainly  taught  in  God's  Word  that  it  does  not  admit  of  cavil.  For 
"a  corrupt  tree  cannot  bring  forth  good  fruit"  "As  the  branch  can 
not  bear  fruit  of  itself,"  says  Christ,  "except  it  abide  in  the  vine,  no 
more  can  ye,  except  ye  abide  in  me  :  without  me  ye  can  do  nothing." 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  873 

The  belief  that  men  are  saved  by  grace,  are  justified  by  faith, 
*'are  saved  by  the  washing  of  regeneration  and  the  renewing  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,"  has  always  obtained  favor  among  the  true  followers  of 
Christ;  for  the  Scripture  saith,  "Abraham  believed  God,  and  it  was 
counted  unto  him  for  righteousness."  "Now  to  him  that  worketh 
is  the  reward  not  reckoned  of  grace,  but  of  debt ;  but  to  him  that 
worketh  not,  but  believeth  on  Him  that  justifieth  the  ungodly,  his 
faith  is  counted  for  righteousness."  But  as  causes  produce  effects, 
so  "faith  produces  works  ;  yea,  without  works  faith  is  dead,  being 
alone!"  "What  doth  it  profit,  my  brethren,  though  a  man  say  he 
hath  faith,  and  hath  not  works,  can  faith  save  him?"  It  is  said  of 
Abraham  "that  faith  wrought  with  his  works,  and  by  works  was  faith 
made  perfect.  James  ii.  22. 

That  believers  are  required  to  exemplify  in  their  lives  the  relig- 
ion they  profess,  is  clearly  taught,  we  think,  in  the  following  beau- 
tiful precepts  :  "Ye  are  the  light  of  the  world  :  a  city  that  is  set  on 
a  bill  cannot  be  hid;  neither  do  men  light  a  candle  and  put  it  under 
a  bushel,  but  on  a  candle-stick,  and  it  giveth  light  to  all  that  are  in 
the  house.  Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men  that  they  may  see 
your  good  works,  and  glorify  your  Father  which  is  in  heaven." 
"The  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  salvation  hath  appeared  to  all  men, 
teaching  us  that  denying  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  we  should 
livesoberlv,  righteously,  and  godly  in  this  present  world."  "Dearly 
beloved,  I  beseech  as  strangers  and  pilgrims,  abstain  from  fleshly 
lusts  that  war  against  the  soul :  having  your  conversation  honest 
among  the  Gentiles  that,  whereas  they  speak  against  you  as  evil 
doers  they  may,  by  your  good  works  which  they  shall  behold,  glo- 
rify God  in  the  day  of  visitation.  This,  I  say  then,  walk  in  the 
Spirit,  and  ye  shall  not  fulfill  the  lusts  of  the  flesh  ;  if  we  live  in  the 
Spirit,  let  us  walk  in  the  Spirit."  In  this  form  of  language  the  Holy 
Spirit  teaches  us  the  great  value  of  practical  religion  ;  here  He  com- 
mands us  to  exhibit  in  example  our  piety  for  the  sake  of  its  saving 
effects  on  others.  Piety  consists  in  a  firm  belief  and  right  concep- 
tions of  the  Being,  perfections  and  Providences  of  God,  with  suita- 
ble affections  to  Him,  resemblances  of  Him  in  His  moral  perfections, 
and  a  constant  obedience  to  His  will. 

Two  important  truths  are  here  suggested  to  our  minds — the  one 
is,  that  none  should  ever  profess  who  do  not  possess  religion.  We 
have  heard  it  urged  upon  men  that  they  should  come  into  the  church 
in  order  to  their  becoming  christians,  when  nothing  is  plainer  taught 
by  Christ  and  His  Apostles  than  that  the  church  is  to  be  composed 
of  those  who  have  been,  and  not  those  who  are  to  be  converted. 
"One  of  the  great  missions  of  our  denomination,"  says  Mr.  Tyree,  as 
distinguished  from  others,  "is  to  proclaim  and  require  personal  re- 
generation, as  indispensably  necessary  in  order  to  membership  in 
the  earthly  Kingdom  of  Christ." 

The  other  is,  that  all  who  possess  are  bound  to  profess  regenera- 
tion. To  possess  without  professing  it,  is  treason  against  its  Author, 
and  infidelity  to  ourselves  and  the  world.     There  are  some  who 


S74  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

seem  to  think  that,  as  religion  is  an  individual  transaction  between? 
God  and  the  soul,  it  should  he  retiring  and  concealed,  but  such  a 
notion  is  rebuked  not  only  by  the  teachings  of  the  Scriptures,  but  by 
all  the  works  of  God.  Had  all  the  lovers  of  God  been  of  the  opinion 
of  some,  Jesus  Christ  would  never  have  had  in  our  world  a  church 
or  a  martyr.  The  truth  is.  the  New  Testament  as  much  requires  us- 
to  appear  religiousas  to  be  so.  The  same  authority  that  enjoins  be- 
lief with  the  heart  requires  confession  with  the  mouth. 

In  the  foregoing  we  think  we  have  set  forth  the  teachings  of  the 
New  Testament,  showing  that  it  is  justifying  faith,  preceding  and 
prompting  profession  and  practice,  and  profession  and  practice  fol- 
lowing, evidencing  and  recommending  faith— thus  setting  forth  a 
complete  definition  of  Scriptural,  personal,  saving  religion,  thereby 
causing  the  world  to  "glorify  our  Father  which  is  in  Heaven."  The 
true  christian,  first  by  repentance,  faith  and  love,  turns  to  Christ — 
"the  Sun  of  Righteousness" — and  catches  from  Him  the  "light  of 
life,"  und  turns  to  a  world  darkened  by  sin,  shedding  there  the  light 
caught  from  the  brighter  Sun  and  higher  Sky,  and  thus  inducing, 
others  to  become  religious. 

The  self-sacrificing  Apdstle  of  Jesus  Christ  was  much  emboldened, 
and  was  very  confident  of  success,  because  of  the  striking  pre- 
sentations of  the*  truths  of  the  Gospel  which  he  preached,  as  exem- 
l' lifted  in  the  lives  of  thy  Corinthians.  "For  ye  are  our  epistles," 
said  he,  "written  in  our  hearts,  known  and  read/of  all  men  ;  Foras- 
much as  ye  are  manifestly  declared  to  be  the  epistles  of  Christ,  min- 
isteied  by  us,  written  not  with  ink,  but  with  the  Spirit  of  the  living 
God— not  on  tables  of  etone,  but  on  fleshly  tables  of  the  heart." 

Having  promised  this  much  we  will  now  more  definitely  state 
our  position,  which  is  this  :  A  high  standard  of  personal  piety  is  the 
best  proof  of  Christianity,  and  the  best  means  for  converting  the 
world. 

Brethren,  why  are  there  so  few  christians  in  the  world?  Why, 
in  the  'broad  way,"  are  there  so  many?  while  in  the  "narrow  way" 
you  find  but  here  and  there  a  traveler?  Not  we  suppose  that  the 
world  doubts  our  religion  in  record.  In  the  way  of  historical  proofs 
t.nd  documentary  arguments,  Christianity  has  fought  her  battles  and' 
been  victorious.  In  the  way  of  debate,  infidels  of  every  grade  have 
been  driven  from  the  field,  with  broken  aud  dismantled  shields." 
The  mighty  apologies  of  our  editors,  authors  and  defenders  of  the 
christian  religion  are  now  quite  absolute.  "Why  then,"  in  the  lan- 
guage of  Elder  Tyree,  of  Virginia,  with  this  mighty  array— this  re- 
dundancy of  external  and  logical  proofs— "is  Christianity  making 
such  slow  headway  in  the  world?  Why,  with  such  mighty  appli- 
ances, are  her  converts  like  Angels'  visits?  Mainly,  we  solemnly 
believe,  because  of  the  type  of  piety  with  christians.  More  are  kept 
from  Christ  by  this  than  by  all  other  causes.  In  theory,  in  creeds, 
in  forms  and  professions  the  world  has  long  seen  religion  without 
being  made  any  better  by  it.  The  grand  desideratum  to  make  man- 
kind not  only  almost  but  altogether  christians,  is  a  more  thorough, 
living,  striking  piety  in  the  professed  friends  of  Christ." 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  375 

We  will  attempt  first  to  describe  that  piety  for  which  the  world 
Stands  in  crying  need,  and  thtn  understand  (if  we  can)  how  it  ha.i 
tins  effect.  Let  us  describe  it :  1.  There  must  be  a  transformation 
and  purifying  of  our  own  characters.  Not  that  we  are  to  reach  a 
state  of  sinless  perfection  in  this  world, — that  is  not  found  this  side 
of  Heaven — 

•'Defects  through  Nature's- best  productions  run — 
The  saints  have  spots,  and  spots  are  in  the  sun." 
But  in  the  christian  they  must  not  be  "spots''  of  habitual  sins.  The 
death,  resurrection,  and  ascension  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  descent  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  are  all  designed  not 
•only  to  produce  in  man's  state  and  heart,  but  in  his  life1  and  charac- 
ter a  change  for  the  better.  No  man  is  acknowledged,  either  by  the 
Bible  or  the  world  as  a  christian,  unless  with  him  ''old  things  have 
passed  away,  and  all  things  have  become  neW."  The  great  concen- 
trated purpose  of  God  towards  man,  is  to  make  him  holy.  The 
atonement,  revealed  truth,  and  the  Spirit's  influences  are  but  nteaiu 
for  the  production  of  this  end.  Conversion  is  the  commencement  of 
holiness,  and  baptism  a  solemn  declaration  of  an  intention  to  aim 
at  holiness  in  all  things  till  death. 

Now,  the  religion  to  meet  the  exigency  in  cptestiou,  must  be  dis- 
played by  infusing  purity  into  our  tempers— in  restraining  us  front 
all  wrong — disposing  us  to  beneficence — to  forgive  when  wronged— 
inspiring  us  with  cheerfulness  and  submission  under  afflictions,  and 
exciting  in  us  sympathy  for  the  needy,  and  to  sacrifice  for  the  good 
of  others.  And  when,  throughout  all  the  ranks  of  Gur  visible  Zion 
our  religion  shall  appear  in  making  the  proud  humble,  the  intempe- 
rate sober,  the 'covetous  liberal,  the  revengeful  forgiving,  the  ljrayer- 
less  devout,  the  repiuingpatient,  and  the  indolent  active,  its  evidence 
will  be  like  the  sun's  meridian  beams.  The  light  which  thus  shine; 
before  men,  will  not  shine  uselessly — it  will  both  illuminate  and 
melt. 

2.  The  piety  we  need,  and  for  which  weplead,  should  be  pre-emi- 
nent.    It  should  be  our  highest  aim  to  know  and  do  the  will  of  God. 

The  Psalmist  prayed,  "Teach  me,  O  Lord,  the  way  of  Thy  stat- 
utes, and  I  shall  keep  it  unto  the  end."  A  christian  must  be  and 
must  appear  to  be  a  person  of  one  idea — one  all-engrossing  purpose 
of  saving  himself  and  others.  Paul,  defining  godliness  as  his  only 
concern,  says  :  "This  one  thing  I  do.  Everything  else  must  be  sec- 
ondary and  subservient  to  it;  seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and 
all  these  things  shall  be  added  unto  you."  If  either  interest  must 
be  neglected,  it  should  be  time  and  the  body— not  religion  and  the 
soul.  "One  thing,"  said  the  Psalmist,  "have  I  desired  of  the  Lord 
that  will  I  seek  after,  that  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  all 
the  days  of  my  life  to  behold  the  beauty  of  the  Lord,  and  to  inquire 
in  His  temple." 

By  a  godly  walk  and  holy  conversation  we  should  impress  the 
world  that  our  religion  is  our  one  all  important,  grand  business  of 
earth,  and  to. which  every  other  interest  gives  place;  that  it  is  the 


373  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

first  with  us  in  time,  first  in  attention,  and  first  in  everything,  and 
Ave  will  do  more  in  diffusing  abroad  the  conviction  that  Christianity 
is  Heaven  born,  than  would  the  preaching  of  an  Angel. 

3.  Uniformity  must  be  observed. 

We  are  pained  to  find  in  all  our  churches  [more  or  less]  those 
who  are  fitful,  partial,  and  irregular  in  their  religious  devotions; 
they  are  only  religious  in  times  of  revivals;  those  seasons  onceover 
and  they  have  another  master  to  serve.  Some  are  prayerful  in  sick- 
ness, but  prayerless  in  health ;  meek  and  humble  in  adversity,  but 
proud  and  worldly  in  prosperity.  They  are  like  certain  streams  that 
only  flow  during  rains,  or  like  comets — they  attract  for  awhile,  and 
then  are  only  known  or  thought  of  as  "things  that  have  been." 
Christians  of  this  type  do  much  to  provoke  the  ridicule  of  the  bad, 
and  to  discourage  the  good. 

We  want  a  piety  that  flows  from  fixed  principles — that  is  bril' 
liant  in  all  the  variations  of  human  conditions.  Our  churches  should 
be  composed  of  those  and  those  only  who  are  steadfast,  unmovable, 
always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord  ;  who  are  like  the  stream 
flowing  from  the  perpetual  fountain  which,  though  increased  by  the 
rains  and  diminished  by  the  droughts,  flows  on  constantly  with 
sparkling  beauty  and  increasing  fertility;  or  like  the  fixed  stars 
which,  though  sometimes  obscured  by  clouds  and  tempests,  yet  shine 
on  steadily,  sending  down  their  rays  on  a  darkened  world.  Christ- 
ians of  this  kind  are  "the  light  of  the  world  and  the  salt  of  the 
earth. 

4.  We  want  a  piety  harmonious  and  minute. 

The  christian  should  make  everything  bend  to  his  religion,  and 
allow  his  religion  to  bend  to  nothing.  [James.]  We  must  be  strictly 
pious  in  all  the  relations  and  conditions  of  life.  It  must  be  worked, 
as  a  golden  thread,  into  the  entire  web  of  life  :  our  piety  must  suf- 
fuse itself  over  the  whole  character — nowhere  gathered  into  unseemly 
blotches,  but  shed  everywhere  the  hue  and  bloom  of  spiritual  life. 
In  the  healthy  child  there  is  an  expansion  of  all  the  parts  and  mem- 
bers of  the  body — one  part  is  not  invigorated  while  others  decay— the 
arms  must  not  growr  while  other  parts  remain  stationary.  So  with 
the  christian  character :  to  be  lovely  and  influential  it  must  develop 
itself  in  the  conscientious  performance  of  all  duties— small  as  well 
as  great-  Some  professors  seem  to  have  much  religion  in  the  aggre- 
gate, but  little  in  particular;  ill  great  things  and  on  great  occasions 
they  are  very  religious,  but  in  small  matters  are  very  irreligious. 
And  what  we  want  you  to  observe  is,  that  this  inequality  in  relig- 
ious deportment,  like  the  "spot  in  the  sun,"  will  be  noticed  by  the 
keen-eyed  world,  and  made  the  occasion  of  stumbling.  IS'ay,  more  ! 
you  may  serve  God  in  ninety-nine  particulars,  and  yet,  by  sinning 
in  the  hundredth,  exert  a  bad  influence. 

Hence  the  great  importance  of  harmony  and  minuteness.  We 
are  led  therefore  to  inquire  of  whom  does  the  Lord  require  this? 
Ah  !  of  whom  does  He  not  require  it  t  For  He  saith,  "Let  every 
one  that  nameth  the  name  of  Christ  depart  from  iniquity."     But  let 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  377 

us  particularize:  first  of  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  it  is  required  that 
they  shall  in  all  things  show  themselves  patterns  of  good  works  ;  in 
doctrine,  showing  un  corruptness,  gravity,  sincerity,  sound  speech 
that  cannot  be  condemned  ;  that  he  that  is  of  the  contrary  part  may 
be  ashamed,  having  no  evil  thing  to  say  of  them.  [Tit.  ii.  7,  8.]  "For 
a  Bishop  or  Minister  must  be  blameless  as  the  steward  of  God."  A 
Bishop  or  Minister  then  must  be  blameless,  the  husband  of  one  wi  e, 
vigilant,  sober,  of  good  behavior,  given  to  hospitality,  apt  to  teach  ; 
not  given  to  wine,  no  striker,  not  greedy  of  filthy  lucre,  but  patient  ; 
nota  brawler,  not  covetous,  &c.  [1  Tim.  iii.  2-7.] 

But  let  us  inquire,  how  does  this  type  of  ministerial  character 
and  dignity  compare  wiih  the  piety  of  some  of  Christ's  professed 
ministers?  Ah!  how  do  men  of  the  world  excuse  their  intempe- 
rance and  inordinate  love  of  money,  while  they  witness  the  same 
in  those  who  are  to  be  "teachers  of  good  things."     But  we  forbear. 

But  secondly:  The  Deacons  (the  appointment  of  which  was  to 
relieve  the  ministers,  that  they  might  give  themselves  continually 
to  prayer,  and  to  the  ministry  of  the  Word,)  is  to  be  a  specified  char- 
acter. The  Beacon  must  be  grave — not  double-tongued,  not  given  to 
much  wine,  not  greedy  of  filthy  lucre — holding  the  faith  in  a  pure 
conscience,  &c.  With  this  description  of  a  Deacon  no  church,  it 
seems  to  us,  can  fail  to  see  the  impropriety  of  placing  and  continu- 
ing in  the  deacon's  office  a  man  who  is  not  only  "given  to  much 
wine,"  butto  the  making  and  vending  of  strong  drink  ;  for  theScrip- 
ture  saith,  "Be  ye  clean  that  bear  the  vessels  of  the  Lord."  But 
thirdly :  It  is  required  of  all  who  compose  the  visible  Zion  of  God, 
that  they  walk  worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  they  are  called  ; 
for  in  every  condition  and  relation  of  life  the  Word  of  God  imposes 
certain  obligations  and  lays  certain  restrictions.  It  requireth  "that 
the  aged  men  be  sober,  grave,  temperate,  sound  in  faith,  in  charity, 
in  patience"  The  aged  women  likewise  are  to  "be  in  behavior  as 
becometh  holiness— not  false  accusers,  not  given  to  much  wine, 
teachers  of  good  things."  The  young  women  it  requireth  to  be 
"obedient  to  their  husbands,  to  love  their  children  ;  to  be  discreet, 
chaste  keepers  at  home  —good,  that  the  Word  of  God  be  not  blas- 
phemed." Servants  it  requireth  to  be  obedient  unto  their  own  mas- 
ters, and  to  please  them  well  in  all  things— not  answering  again,  not 
purloining,  but  showing  all  good  fidelity — that  they  may  adorn  the 
doctrine  of  God  our  Savior  in  all  things.  To  the  master  He  saith  : 
"Give  to  your  servants  that  which  is  just  and  equal,  knowing  that 
ye  also  have  a  Master  in  Heaven."  To  wives  He  saith  :  "Submit 
yourselves  unto  your  own  husbands,  as  unto  the  Lord  ;  for  the  hus- 
band is  the  head  of  the  wife,  even  as  Christ  is  the  head  of  the 
Church;"  and  it  is  required  of  the  husband  "that  he  love  his  wife 
even  as  Christ  also  loved  the  church,  and  gave  himself  for  it."  He 
saith  to  children  :  "Obey  your  parents  in  the  Lord,  for  this  is  right. 
And  ye  fathers,  provoke  not  your  children  to  wrath,  but  bring  them 
up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  For  the  grace  of 
God  that  bringeth  salvation  hath  appeared  to  all  men  ^teaching  us 
48 


378  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

that  denying  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts  we  should  live  soberly, 
righteously,  and  godly  in  this  present  world."  We,  to  be  happy 
and  useful,  must  descend  to  minuteness.  There  are  nameless  little 
things  in  which  we  must  act  christianly.  To  attract  the  notice,  and 
Win  the  hearts  of  those  without,  there  are  several  spheres  in  which 
men  must  be  able  to  read  in  us  as  the  "living  epistles  of  Christ— 
written  not  with  ink;  but  with  the  Spirit  of  the  living  God"— the 
truths  of  Christianity. 

1.  The}-  should  be  able  to  read  them  in  us  in  the  church  sphere. 
As  we  emerged  from  the  entombing  waters  of  baptism,  we  lit  up 

the  lump  of  profession— every  time  we  partake  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
we  "trim  the  golden  flame,"  But  we  should  appear  the  christian  in 
the  discharge  of  all  christian  or  church  duties  as  well  as  church  or- 
dinances, by  assembling  to  hear  the  Truth  ;  and  for  church  or  prayer- 
meetings,  by  giving  of  our  substance  to  support  the  Gospel  at  home 
aud  abroad  ;  in  fine,  by  prayers,  trfels,  self-denials  and  anxieties  for 
the  prosperity  of  the  church  and  the  conversion  of  sinners  Let  our 
attachment  to  Christ  and  His  cause  be  known  and  read  of  all  men. 

2.  In  the  domestic  sphere. 

When  we  remember  how  early  and  how  constantly  children  be- 
hold the  example  of  their  jDarents — how  lasting  and  mighty, the 
influence  which  grows  out  of  that  relation — how  it  blends  and  be- 
comes interwoven  with  the  rudiments  of  their  nature,  it  is  manifest 
that  the  parent,  more  than  any  other  creature  being,  has  the  mould- 
ing of  his  offspring's  destiny  for  both  worlds.  No  being,  save  God 
Himself,  can  do  as  much  as  the  parent  to  purify  the  fountain  of 
existence  before  it  widens  into  the  stream.  In  the  family  are  daily 
aud  casually  put  in  motion  influences  that  will  go  on  harming  or 
benefitting,  blasting  or  blessing,  through  all  time  or  eternity  ! 

Hence  the  importance  of  family  religion  Parents,  you  need  not 
be  positively  irreligious  in  your  families:  just  conceal  your  light, 
and  without  the  invincible  grace  of  God  you  will  give  rise  to  trains 
of  evil  that  will  survive  death  and  the  shock  of  the  Arch  Angel's 
trumpet.  Let  there  be  merely  theabsence  of  religion  in  your  house- 
hold, and  we  would  not  take  your  place  at  the  judgment  seat  for  a 
thousand  worlds  ;  but  on  the  contrary,  let  your  domestics  see  as 
well  as  hear  religion — display  before  them  the  charms  of  a  religious 
example  ;  commence,  carry  on,  and  close  the  day  with  a  consistent 
pietj',  and  you  will  deposit  in  the  virgin  soil  of  their  souls  the  good 
seed  of  the  Kingdom,  which,  being  warmed  by  the  life-giving  beams 
of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  and  refreshed  by  the  dewy  influences 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  will,  if  not  in  your,  life-time,  after  you  are  gone, 
produce  the  golden  fruit  of  conversion  and  usefulness.  Live  thus, 
ye  professing  parents,  and  you  will  do  more  for  the  prosperity  of 
this  Republic  than  all  our  armies,  navies  and  laws.  In  this  way 
your  households  will  become  nurseries  for  the  church.  My  brethren, 
for  the  sake  of  Christ's  honor,  for  the  sake  of  the  church  of  your  ' 
country,  of  your  children's  deathless  weal,  and  for  your  own  sake, 
by  all  means  exhibit  religion  in  your  families. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  870 

3.  Men  should  be  able  to  read  in  us  tbe  truths  of  Christianity  in 
the  social  sphere. 

Here  lies  the  fatal  rock  against  which  many  professors,  and  espe- 
cially young  professors,  are  making  wreck  of  their  religious  charac- 
ters. The  truth  is,  in  this  progressive  age  public  opinion  is  last 
excluding  religion  from  the  social  circle,  and  with  the  present  pro- 
clivity— the  frequenting  of  the  horse-Tact;,  the  gaming  saloon,  the 
ball  room,  the  circus  and  theatre— unless  bold-hearted  christians 
take  a  stand  against  this  growing  evil,  practical  godliness  will  be 
just  as  effectually  banished  from  the  ordinary  converse  of  society  as, 
by  the  edict  of  Claudius,  a  profession  of  i!  was  banished  from  Rome. 
Brethren,  hear  us  while  we  speak  our  solemn  conviction,  that  no 
professed  christain  can  attend  the  horse  race,  play  games,  dance, 
&c,  without  impairing  his  religious  character  and  lessening  his  in- 
fluence for  good,  for  the  temptations  here,  to  compromise  with  the 
world  and  conceal  the  light  of  example  are  numerous  and  potent. 
And  here  it  is  |hat  we,  like  Peter,  who  sat  down  among  the  enemies 
of  Christ,  are  tempted  to  deny  our  Lord  and  thus  surrender  one  of 
our  Lord's  outposts  to  the  prince  of  darkness.  This  were  a  treason 
that  no  true  lover  of  Christ  will  commit.  Rise  up,  then,  to  the  pre- 
cious singularity  of  being  manifestly  religious  in  all  your  social 
movements  !  Do  you  ask  how  you  can  do  this  without  subjecting 
yourself  to  the  charge  of  sanctimoniousness?  We  reply,  you  can  do 
it  in  nameless  little  things.  By  speaking  evil  of  no  one  ;  by  putting 
away  all  foolish  talking  ;  by  never  ascribing  to  others  a  bad  motive, 
while  you  can  impute  good  ones  to  them  ;  by  discouraging  the  tat- 
tler, tale-bearer  and  slanderer  ;  by  seeking  to  heal  breaches  between 
neighbors;  by  discountenancing  all  unnecessary  dissipating  anune- 
ments ;  by  being  simple,  sincere  and  tender-hearted;  by  giving  to 
conversation  a  religious  turn  ;  and  by  speaking  out,  on  all  suitable 
occasions,  of  Christ,  His  Kingdom,  His  religion  ;  of  sin,  its  evils;  of 
hell  and  of  Heaven.  In  this  way,  or  in  like  manner,  you  will  shine 
as  lights  in  the  world,  and  exhibit,  amid  those  without,  the  winning 
sweetness  of  a  holy  example,  and  thereby  not  only  impress  men 
with  the  fact  that  your  religion  is  an  emanation  from  Heaven,  but 
that  it  is  both  practicable  and  desirable.  But  space  fails  me  to  tell 
or'  the  importance  in  all  the  business  and  civil  transactions  of  life. 
The  great  error  of  many  is,  that  they  regard  religion  as  something 
separate  from  the  common  duties  of  life  ;  it  is  difficult  to  say  whether 
more  harm  aas  been  done  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  by  separating  what 
He  lias  joined  with  the  injunction,  ''Not  slothful  in  business,"  the 
command  "fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord."  Now,  what  num- 
bers have  woftnded  Christ  in  the  house  of  His  friends,  by  keeping 
apart  these  two  duties,  and,  acting  on  the  anti  scriptural  maxim, 
'business  in  its  place  and  religion  in  its."  Especially  has  this  been 
the  case  in  pecuniary  and  commercial  transactions  :  some  make 
promises  to  meet  their  dues  only  to  break  them  ;  some  take  advan- 
tage of  their  neighbors'  necessities  to  increase  their  gains ;  others 
show  a  disposition  to  take  advantage  in  bargains  ;  others  fail  in  bu- 


3S0  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

siness,  when  there  is  ground  to  suspect  that  falsehood  and  fraud 
have  attended  the  whole  transaction  ;  others  borrow  money  never  to 
return  it ;  otbers  show  an  overreaching  and  an  underreaching,  bor- 
dering on  dishonesty.  Verily  there  must  be  a  reformation.  Civil 
government  is  as  much  an  ordinance  of  God  as  baptism.  "The  pow- 
ers tbat  be  are  ordained  of  God,"  Christians  are  deeply  interested 
in  civil  affairs,  from  the  fact  tbat  civil  necessarily  includes  religious 
liberty.  They  too  have  bodies,  families,  characters,  and  property  to 
protect ;  hence,  against  an  enlightened,  calm  government  in  politi- 
cal matters  on  the  part  of  christians,  we  say  not  a  word  ;  nay  but  we 
urge  it. 

.  Having  described  the  kind  of  piety  necessary  to  evince  the  truth 
of  Christianity,  let  us  in  the  next  place  show  how  it  has  this  effect. 
The  judgment  of  the  irreligious  is  thereby  convinced,  which,  after 
all,  brethren,  is  the  best  argument  in  favor  of  the  christian  religion. 
Is  it  that  several  hundred  prophesies  have  been  fulfilled  as  the  cur- 
rent of  time  has  swept  along  ?  Is  it  that  many  miracles  have  been 
wrought  in  its  attestation?  Is  it  the  wonders  of  the  cross? — the 
mysteries  of  the  resurrection  ?  Is  it  the  rapidity  with  which  it  has 
spread,  till  it  is  heard  and  spoken  in  more  than  two  hundred  lan- 
guages of  the  earth?  These,  though  mighty,  are  not  our  crowning 
proofs.  Our  highest  evidence,  our  most  unanswerable,  efficacious 
argument  is  personal  piety,  after  the  primitive  pattern.  The  best 
c  nnmeutary  on  the  Bible  the  world  has  ever  seen,  is  a  holy  life. 
This  is  the  ''living  epistle"  that  all  can  read,  all  understand,  and 
that  convinces  all. 

In  vain  may  we  put  in  the  hands  of  infidels  our  best  books  upon 
the  evidences  of  Christianity,  who  are  acquainted  with  professing 
christians  that  travel  on  the  Sabbath,  patronize  sinful  amusements, 
and  sometimes  drink  half  way  to  drunkenness  !  The  inconsistency 
of  their  professions  will,  with  these  infidels,  neutralize  all  the  argu- 
ments in  favor  of  Christianity  they  ever  heard  or  read.  How  can 
we  hope  for  the  conversion  of  that  young  man  whose  professing 
mother  and  sisters  are  so  gay,  proud  and  pleasure-loving  as  the  mul- 
titudes going  away  from  God  and  Heaven  ? 

But  let  all  our  skeptics  live  among  neighbors  who  act  out  their 
religion  in  all  things;  let  the  rising  generation  have  parents  who 
reflect  the  image  of  Christ  in  their  daily  deportment;  let  husbands 
have  wifes  who,  by  a  meek  and  benevolent  and  prayerful  spirit, 
adorn  their  profession;  let  pastors  have  churches  ''zealous  of  good 
works,"  poor  and  ignorant  though  they  be;  in  fine,  let  all  the  visi- 
ble Zion  of  God  tear  the  veil  from  their  eyes,  rend  the  world  from 
their  hearts,  and  rise  up  to  the  New  Testament  standard  of  life  and 
action,  and  there  will  be  diffused  abroad  a  deep  and  practical  convic* 
tion  that  the  Gospel  is  divinely  true,  and  is  the  "one  thing;  needful." 

If  we  had  space  we  would  show  that  it  removes  objections,  wins 
esteem,  and  instrumentally  convert-:,  but  our  limits  are  exhausted. 
May  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all.     Amen. 

J.    S.    EZELL. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  381 

Ezell,  Elder  Landrum  Cicero  was  born  May  16th, 
1843,  and  is  also  a'native  of  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  Is 
the  eldest  son  of  Elder  J.  S.  Ezell,  who  baptized  him  about 
the  commencement  of  the  war  between  the  states,  into  the 
fellowship  of  Macedonia  church,  which  church  granted  him 
a  license  to  preach  soon  after  his  baptism.  In  January, 
1866,  he  married  Miss  Martha  S.  Barnett,  eldest  daughter 
of  the  lamented  Elder  Micajah  C.  Barnett,  deceased,  whose 
praise  was  in  all  the  churches. 

Elder  Ezell  was  ordained  at  Buffalo  church  on  Sunday, 
August  25th,  1867,  during  the  session  of  the  Association. 
Elders  T.  B.  Justice,  B.  Bonner,  R.  P.  Logan,  P.  R.  Elam 
and  Win.  Curtis,  L.  L.  D.,  forming  the  Presbytery.  The  fol- 
lowing item  appears  on  the  minutes  of  the  Association  :  "In 
the  afternoon,  the  presbytery  appointed  to  examine  Bro.  L. 
C.  Ezell  in  reference  to  his  ordination,  met  in  the  house  and 
in  presence  of  a  large  concourse  of  spectators,  proceeded  sol- 
emnly and  faithfully  to  examine  the  candidate,  and  being 
perfectly  satisfied  of  his  orthodoxy,  did  by  prayer  and  the 
imposition  of  hands,  ordain  him  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  in 
the  Lord's  vineyard." 

Elder  Ezell,  before  his  ordination,  was  a  good  English 
scholar,  and  engaged  in  teaching  school.  Since  then  he  has 
attended  the  University  of  Greenville,  S.  C,  for  the  purpose 
of  better  preparing  himself  for  the  important  duties  of  the 
Christian  Ministry,  and  now  ranks  among  the  best  preachers. 
He  also  belongs  now  to  the  Spartanburg  Association  ;  but 
was  at  the  time  of  his  ordination  a  member  of  the  church  at 
Shelby,  1ST.  C,  then  of  the  Broad  River  body,  but  within  the 
bounds  of  the  King'©  Mountain  Association  :  which  church 
he  afterwards  represented  in  tjie  session  of  the  Broad  River 
Association  in  1871,  and  was  chosen  clerk  of"  the  body. 
Elder  Ezell  since  joining  the  Spartanburg  body  has  been 
chosen  Moderator,  and  takes  rank  among  the  foremost  min- 
isters of  the  body. 


Forest,  Elder  David  was  a  pioneer  minister,  belonging 
to  the  Head  of  Enoree  church  as  far  back  as  1808.  He  was 
doubtless  in  the  convention  that  organized  the  Broad  River 
Association  in  1800,  for  he  was  a  member  of  the  body  in 
1801,  probably  then  a  veteran.  "We  have  no  means  of  as- 
certaining when  he  was  born,  or  where  he  hailed  from;  nor 
when  he  died  and  went  to  his  reward.  The  honorable  posi- 
tion, however,  that  he  once  occupied  as  a  minister  of  Christ, 
calls  aloud  for  the  preservation  of  his  name.  Let  it  be  hand- 
ed down  from  generation  to  generation. 


382  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Freeman,  Elder  F.  M.  was  formerly  of  the  Green  River 
Association,  and  a  native  of  Rutherford  county,  N.  C. 


Foster,  Elder  William  Moultrie  is  a  native  of  Spar- 
tanburg county,  S.  C,  born  July  28th,  1825  Through  a 
kind  and  overruling  Providence,  and  his  own  indefatigable 
ecertions,  he  obtained  a  fair  E  iglish  and  classical  education^ 
and  up  to  his  50th  year,  to  use  his  own  language,  "rendered 
faithful  service  for  him  who  "deceiveth  the  whole  world." 
At  the  close  of  the  half  century,  God,  in  His  sovereign  mercy, 
o  )ened  the  eyei  ot  his  understanding,  and  he  cried  unto 
Him,  and  He  heard  his  "voice  and  his  supplications,"  when 
to  him  the  mountains  and  the  hills  broke  forth  into  singing, 
and  all  the  trees  of  the  forest  clapped  their  hands,  and  he- 
was  a  new  creature. 

He  began  to  work  for  the  Master  from  the  day  of  his 
conversion,  and  some  five  months  after  being  fully  satisfied 
as  to  his  hope,  joined  the  church,  and  was  baptized  in  the 
spring  of  1876,  and  soon  after  was  licensed  by  his  church  to 
speak  in  public.  He  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
ministry  in  August  of  the  vear  1877,  Elders  J.  G.  Landrum 
and  J.  T.  Guinn  composing  the  Presbytery. 

Elder  Foster  entered  the  Broad  River  Association  as  a 
delegate  from  Grassy  Pond  chui;cb,  at  the  session  of  1880. 
held  at  Cedar  Springs,  and  at  the  session  of  1881  was  elected 
Moderator  ot  the  body,  which  shows  the  estimate  placed  on 
him  by  the  brethren  as  a  business  man.  Bro.  Foster  had 
represented  his  county  in  the  Legislature  of  the  State  with 
much  credit  and  abjlity  before  becoming  a  member  of  the 
church,  and  ranked  highly  as  an  educator.  He  is  now  en- 
gaged in  running  the  People's  High  School,  at  West's 
Springs,  Union  county,  S.  C,  vwhere  a  large  field  of  useful- 
ness is  open  before  him  for  cultivation,  and  as  he  is  a  vigi- 
lant and  ardent  worker  he  will  doubtless  avail  himself  of  the 
opportunity  afforded  him  to  render  good  service.  In  early 
life  he  was  somewhat  erratic  ;  was  a  great  mimic,  and  could 
tell  some  very  amusing  anecdotes,  which  served  to  make 
him  a  sort  of  head  centre  for  the  young  men  of  the  country, 
and  the  lovers  of  fun  generally.  Of  course'  he  has  turned 
his  back  on  levity  of  all  descriptions,  and  is  now  engaged  in 
the  "more  weighty  matters  of  the  law."  May  great  success 
attend  him.  He  married  Miss  Sarah  L.  Sarratt,  daughter  of 
Gilbert  Sarratt,  Esq.,  and  is  the  brother-in-law  of  the  late 
Elder  B.  Bonner,  deceased,  of  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C. 


Gaines,  Elder  Tilman  Rowland  was  born  October  27, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  383 

1834,  in  the  southwestern  corner  of  Greenville  county,  S.  C. 
His  father,  Nathaniel  Gaines,  was  born  in  Abbeville  county, 
8.  C,  in  February,  1798,  and  lived  to  the  age  of  nearly  81, 
within  15  miles  of  his  birth  place,  dying  in  May,  1878.  His 
mother,  Clarissa  Arnold,  still  lives  at  the  homestead,  in  An- 
derson county,  now  nearly  80  years  of  age.  His  parents 
were  Baptists,  his  father  a  minister  of  the  primitive  order, 
thoroughly  read  and  deep  in  the  Scriptures,  belonging  to 
the  John  Gill  or  Calvinistic  school  of  Baptists. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  sent  to  country  schools  in 
his  youth,  taught  to  farm  till  15,  then  learned  the  carriage 
making  trade  at  home  in  his  father's  shop,  at  which  he  work- 
ed till  in  his  20th  year,  when  he  entered  Furman  University 
in  February,  1854  (Greenville,  S.  C.,j  in  which  he  took  a 
thorough  literary  and  scientific  course,  graduating  in  June, 
1860,  after  which  he  studied  one  session  [1860-'61]  in  the 
Southern  Theological  Seminary,  graduating  in  Hebrew  and 
several  other  branches.  Joined  the  Baptist  church  (Colum- 
bia church)  in  Greenville  county,  S.  C,  in  1853 ;  baptized 
by  his  father,  Nathaniel  Gaines.  Licensed  to  preach  in  1857; 
preached  first  sermon  2nd  Sunday  in  December,  1857. 

Left  the  Seminary  in  the  fall  of  1861,  volunteering  as  a 
private  soldier,  entering  Company  "A"  16th  South  Carolina 
Kegiment,  in  which  he  served  nearly  a  year.  Came  home 
on  "furlough  and  married  Miss  Julia  Ellen,  one  of  the  twin 
daughters  of  Deacon  H.  G.  Galihey  and  Elizabeth  S.  Gaff- 
ney,  July  24th,  1862;  soon  after  was  appointed  chaplain  of 
the  3d  Regiment  of  S.  ©.  Reserves,  by  Col".  C.  J.  Elford, 
serving  till  the  Regiment  was  disbanded. 

Was  ordained  to  the  Gospel  ministry  in  August,  1862, 
at  the  meeting  of  Tyger  River  Association.  Presbytery : 
John  G.  Landrum,  Richard  Furman,  Simpson  Drummond, 
and  several  others. 

Took  charge  of  Shelby  Baptist  church,  Shelby,  N.  C, 
and  organized  the  "Roberts  Female  Seminarv,"  at  Shelby, 
in  February,  1863.  Voluntarily  turned  over  to  Dr.  E.  A. 
Crawley  the  church  and  school  in  the  fall  of  1864,  and 
moved  to  the  neighborhood  of  Antioch  church,  York  county, 
S.  C,  early  in  1865,  and  took  charge  of  said  church.  He 
baptized  about  50  persons  into  the  Shelby  church  while  pas- 
tor thereof,  completely  resuscitating  the  church.  At  Anti- 
och he  baptized  about  75  persons,  and  greatly  built  up  the 
church,  organizing  a  large  Sunday-school. 

In  1866  started  the  "Church  and  Sunday-school  Messen- 
ger," issuing  it  monthly  for  7  months,  but  as  it  was  not  pay- 
ing expenses,  turned  over  the  subscription  list  to  the  "South 
Carolina  Baptist,"  then  published  at  Anderson,  S.  C. 


384  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Began  to  preach  at  Yorkville  in  1866.  Several  were 
baptized  there  and  a  church  organized.  In  the  fall  ot  that 
year  he  moved  to  Yorkville  and  began  to  build  a  Baptist 
church,  almost  without  means,  but  by  traveling  North  in 
]867-'68,  and  by  appeals  at  home,  he  raised  funds  to  nearly 
complete  the  hull  of  the  building,  lie  then  used  his  o\vi> 
means  to  plaster  and  finish  it,  thus  spending  several  hundred 
dollars,  besides  almost  entirely  supporting  himself  and  fam- 
ily with  his  own  means. 

In  July,  1869,  he  commenced  the  publication  of  the 
"Working  Christian,"  a  weekly,  issued  from  Yorkville,  and 
in  10  months  had  a  cash  paid  up  subscription  list  of  about 
1300.  Moved  the  paper  and  family  to  Charleston  in  May, 
1870,  and  took  charge  of  a  city  mission,  organizing  a  church, 
and  beginning  the  construction  of  a  house  of  worship;  but 
in  the  summer  of  1871  the  yellow  fever  raging  in  Charleston, 
he  moved  his  printing  office,  paper,  and  family  to  Columbia, 
where  he  run  the  paper  till  the  fall  of  1872,  when  he  sold 
out  the  "Working  Christian"  to  C.  McJunkin,  who,  later, 
sold  it  J.  A.  Hoyt,  who  moved  it  to  Greenville,  S,  C,  where 
he  still  runs  it  as  the  "Baptist  Courier."  It  has  always  been 
a  self-sustaining  paper. 

In  1872  he  founded  the  Palmetto  Orphan  Home,  in  Co- 
lumbia, and  turned  it  over  to  an  able  board  of  Trustees. 

In  1873  he  began  the  publication  of  the  "Working 
Man,"  which  he  has  continued  under  various  names,  print- 
ing it  as  a  monthly  for  4  years  in  New  York,  in  the  cause  of 
immigration.  He  began  his  immigration  labors  in  1873,  his 
object  then,  and  all  the  time  since,  being  to  induce  manufac- 
turers, mechanics'  skilled  labor  and  capital  into  the  South- 
ern States, — in  which  work  he  was  the  pioneer,  having  an 
office  on  Broadway,  New  York,  from  1873  to  1879.  In 
person  he  headed  this  whole  scheme,  getting  the  Richmond 
&  Danville,  and  Air-Line  Railroad  authorities,  aided  by  the 
Pennsylvania  Central  Railroad,  to  put  on  a  system  of  re- 
duced rate  tickets  (one  and  a  half  cents  per  mile)  in  favor  of 
all  settlers  coming  to  settle  in  the  South.  He  published  his 
monthly  filled  with  correct  information  about  the  resources 
of  the  South — made  speeches  in  the  Northern  States — issued 
circulars — and  in  this  way  guided  thousands  of  people  into 
the  Piedmont  Belt  of  the  Southern  States,  being  largely  in- 
strumental in  turning  the  attention  of  capitalists  to  the 
broken-down  condition  of  our  Southern  railroads,  and  show- 
ing them  the  great  opportunities  for  investments  in  railroad 
property,  lands,  mines,  etc.  All  can  now  see  the  fruits  of 
such  labors  in  the  millions  of  capital  coming  South.     When 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  385 

Mr.  Gaines  gave  up  the  ministry  and  his  religious  publica- 
tions, it  was  doubtless  solely  for  the  purpose  of  devoting  his 
life  and  energies  to  the  rebuilding  of  the  Southern  States, 
and  especially  his  native  Carolina.  In  all  of  this  work  ho 
has  probably  had  the  unthankful  task  of  doing  the  work  of 
a  pioneer,  and  of  doing  it  in  his  own  way.  He  has  had  no 
States  to  back  him,  and  had  even  to  work  up  the  railroads 
to  see  their  own  interest  in  helping  themselves,  by  aiding 
him,  but  as  soon  as  the  work  was  built  up  so  as  it  would 
begin  to  pay  him.  the  railroad  agents  assumed  control  ol  the 
scheme  and  availed  themselves  of  the  benefits  to  be  derived, 
and  thus,  like  all  pioneers,  Mr.  G.  (although  entitled  to  re- 
muneration,) was  left  without  anything  to  console  him  but 
the  mere  consciousness  of  having  done  a  good  and  unself- 
ish work  for  the  South. 

His  peculiar  turn  of  mind,  and  such  a  pioneering  life  in 
such  times  as  we  have  had  since  the  war,  together  with  his 
own  faults,  mistakes  and  financial  embarrassments — with  a 
mixture,  doubtless,  of  prejudice,  too,  not  to  say  envy,  on  the 
part  of  some  persons,  have  given  rise  to  various  rumors  and 
misunderstandings  as  to  the  true  religious  status,  character 
and  opinions  of  Mr.  Gaines,  but  we  find  him  moving  on 
smoothly  with  good  moral  deportment,  and  acting  very  re- 
spectfully towards  his  former  christian  friends — apparently 
seeking  neither  wealth  nor  fame  from  any  source. 

He  detests  the  titles,  "Rev.,"  "D.I).,"  &c,  and  wants 
none  of  them  applied  to  his  name,  as  did  his  deceased  father 
before  him. 

Xo  committee  or  church  authority  has  said  that  he 
should  not  pieach  ;  he  has  never  formally  declared  any  inten- 
tion of  abandoning  the  ministry;  he' would  preach  if  he  felt 
moved  to  do  so,  and  was  not  absorbed  in  other  work.  What 
he  does,  he  endeavors  to  do  with  all  his  might,  and  does  not 
feel  disposed  to  attempt  and  half  do  what  he  undertakes. 
Whilst  he  does  not  fully  accord  with  all  the  old  views  of  the 
Scriptures,  he  yet  regards  the  christian  religion  the  best  the 
world  has  ever  had. 

In  1865  Mr.  Gaines  represented  the  Shelb}?  Baptist 
church  in  the  Broad  Kiver  Association,  and  was  chosen 
Clerk  of  the  body,  and  again  re-elected  in  1866,  after  having 
preached  the  introductory  sermon.  In  1868  the  York  Asso- 
ciation was  organized  and  he  became  a  member  of  that 
body.  In  all  his  relations  with  churches  or  associate  bodies 
he  has  proved  himself  to  be  an  indefatigable  worker  in  the 
vineyard  of  the  Lord,  as  will  appear  from  the  journalistic 
part  of  this  work.  "To  his  own  Master  he  standeth  or  fall- 
eth."  Being  now  in  the  prime  of  life  and  manhood,  he  has 
49 


386  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

fair  prospects  for  many  future  years  of  usefulness  to  that 
Divine  Being  who  holds  in  His  hand  the  destinies  of  His 
creatures.  May  we  and  his  numerous  friends  not,  therefore, 
indulge  the  fond  hope  that  he  may  see  the  vanity  of  pursu- 
ing tleeting  earthly  bubbles,  and  again  return  to  the  holy 
calling  which  he  has  so  long  neglected ! 

As  a  writer,  Mr.  Gaines  has  distinguished  himself  both 
in  prose  and  poetry. 


Gibson,  Elder  Samuel  was  a  member  of  Head  of  Eno- 
ree  church  in  1819,  and  continued  to  belong  to  the  Broad 
River  Association  until  the  year  1826.  He  was  a  native 
Scotchman,  and  the  date  of  his  birth  unknown  to  us.  He 
ranked  among  the  ablest  preachers  of  the  Association  ;  was 
about  the  co-equal  of  Elders  Dobbins  and  Hicks.  At  the 
session  of  1821  he  preached  the  introductory  sermon  from 
Rom.  i.  16  :  "For  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ," 
&c.  And  at  the  session  of  1822  a  circular  letter  addressed 
to  the  churches,  prepared  by  him  on  the  subject  of  the  Grand 
Utility  of  Faith  to  the  Believing  Mind,  was  read  before  the 
body  and  adopted.  He  was  of  small  stature,  black  hair, 
and  dark,  penetrating;  eyes,  aud  very  affable  manners.  He 
became  a  member  of  the  Tyger  River  Association  after  leav- 
ing the  Broad  River.  As  a  tribute  to  his  memory  we  repro- 
duce his  circular  letter  in  this  work.  Before  giving  the  let- 
ter, however,  we  can't  refrain  from  mentioning  some  striking 
remarks  we  heard  him  make  in  one  of  his  sermons.  He  was 
a  great  revivalist,  and  discoursing  on  the  subject  of  the  new 
birth  he  found  it  necessary,  in  order  to  make  a  suitable  illus- 
tration, to  compare  natural  things  with  spiritual.  He. said, 
"in  all  cases  of  natural  births,  it  life  existed,  it  was  made 
manifest  by  unmistakable  outcrying  by  the  party  delivered; 
and  if  no  life  existed  it  was  equally  manifested  by  profound 
silence."'  In  like  manner,  said  Eider  Gibson,  "when  a  soul 
is  truly  converted  to  God,  and  delivered  from  the  shackles 
of  sin,  and  the  condemning  terrors  of  an  offended  or  broken 
law,  the  convert  or  delivered  one  immediately  cries  out  and 
^ives  God  thanks  for  dying  grace  .and  redeeming  love." 
Elder  Gibson  added,  "he  had  but  very  little  faith  in  still-born 
christians."  He  has  doubtless  long  ere  this  time  passed  over 
the  river  of  death,  and  is  now  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  fruits 
of  his  incessant  labors  for  the  welfare  of  his  raee. : 

CIRCULAR   LETTER. 

The  Broad  River  Baptist  Association — To  the  Churches  in    Union 

—  Greeting  : 
Beloved  Brethren.-— Through  the  kind  providenceof  God  we  have 
once  more  met  together  as  your  advisory  council.    Unanimity  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  387 

brotherly  love  pervaded  our  meeting.  According  to  custom,  we  address 
you  this  year  on  "the  Grand  Utility  of  Faith  to  the  Believing  Mind." 
The  mind  signifies  the  understanding  or  judgment  which  has  be- 
come darkened  by  sin,  according  to  that  Scripture  we  meet  with  in 
2d  Cor.  iv.  4,  in  which  the  god  of  this  world  hath  blinded  the  minds 
of  them  that  believe  not.  Hence  we  discover  that  men  in  their  nat- 
ural state  are  aliens  to  the  commonwealth  of  Israel,  and  strangers  to 
the  covenants  of  promise — having  no  hope,  and  without  God  in  the 
world— destitute  of  that  faith  which  is  the  gift  of  God.  But  some 
will  ask,  what  is  true  faith  ?  We  answer,  true  faith  is  not  a  natural 
principlt,  as  some  have  supposed — there  being  nothing  in  the  dry 
stock  of  nature  that  can  produce  it,  any  more  than  Adam  could  pro- 
duce life  in  himself  at  first.  True  faith  is  a  fruit  of  grace  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  God  tells  us  that  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  faith.  Gal.  v.  22. 
He  calls  it  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit,  because  none  but  God  the  Spirit 
can  convey  the  grace  of  faith  to  the  soul,  and  because  all  who  have 
not  the  Spirit  are  unbelievers.  Rom.  viii.  9.  How  awful  and  dan- 
gerous then  must  the  state  of  them  be  who  presume  to  say  that  the 
Spirit's  influence  is  not  to  be  experienced  on  the  soul  in  the  present 
day.  Such  greatly  err,  not  knowing  the  Scriptures  nor  the  power 
of  godliness  ;  for  if  they  really  knew  the  one  or  the  other,  they  would 
not  deny  such  an  important  fact.  Those  people  are  awfully  mistaken 
who  suppose  that  they  always  believe,  for  no  person  can  believe 
until  he  is  regenerated.  When  Adam  fell  into  sin,  all  that  love  to 
God  which  happily  flowed  in  his  soul  before,  with  every  other  per- 
fection, flew  from  him,  and  now  nothing  but  a  flood  of  iniquities  is 
found  in  the  human  breast.  Therefore  no  person  hath  the  grace  of 
faith,  whilst  in  a  state  of  nature  and  sin,  in  which  all  are  born  into 
the  world  ;  hence-God  says,  "all  men  have  not  got  faith."  2  Thes. 
iii.  2.  He  hath  concluded  them  all  [that  is  naturally]  in  unbelief. 
Rom.  xi.  3.!.  And  that  they  are  children  in  whom  is  no  faith.  Deut. 
xxxii.  20.  For  this  reason  our  blessed  Savior  tells  us  that  n<ine  can 
go  to  heaven,  unless  they  are  regenerated  and  Lorn  again.  John  iii. 
5.  Therefore  God  graciously  conveys  the  grace  of  faith  into  the  soul 
when  He  regenerates  it  by  His  Holy  Spirit ;  hence  it  is  called  the 
faith— the  operation  of  God.  Col.  ii.  12.  And  believers  are  called  the 
temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  God  says  is  in  them.  1  Cor.  vi.  19. 
Thus  it  is  evident  that  the  essence  or  grace  of  faith  is  a  fruit  of  the 
Spirit,  wrought  in  the  soul  when  he  regenerates  it ;  and  no  person 
hath  it  until  then.  God  tells  us  that  this  faith  purifies  the  heart 
and  works  by  love.  Acts  xv.  19  ;  Gal.  v.  6.  And  that  those  who 
have  it  shall  be  saved.  Mark  xvi.  16.  Those  are  dreadfully  deceived 
who  suppose  it  an  easy  thing  to  believe.  For  no  person  can  obtain 
the  grace  of  faith  by  his  natural  powers,  find  it  by  his  wisdom,  or 
merit  it  by  his  works.  It  is  a  new  covenant  blessing,  a  grace  which 
the  Divine  Spirit  conveys  into,  and  which  abides  in  the  hearts  or 
souls  of  God's  dear  children.  2  Tim.  i.  5.  Yea,  it  is  God's  free  gift. 
Full  to  our  point  is  Eph.  ii.  8,  9,  when  God  tells  believers  by  grace 
are  ye  saved  through  faith  ;  and  that  not  of  yourselves,  it  is  the  gift 


3S8  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

of  God  ;  not  of  works,  lest  any  man  should  boast.  Having  given 
you  a  short  account  of  the  nature  of  faith,  let  us  turn  to  its  grand 
utility,  and  this  can  only  be  understood  by  the  effects  which  the 
Scriptures  assures  us  it  produceth  in  those  who  have  it.  It  leads 
those  who  have  received  it  truly  to  credit  what  God  has  recorded  in 
His  holy  Word.  This  is  a  fact  fully  established  by  the  inspired  pen- 
man. Heb.  ix.  1,  where,  connecting  the  grace  of  faith  and  the  effects 
it  produceth  together,  he  says,  "Now  faith  is  the  substance  of  things 
hoped  for,  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen."  The  principal  things 
hoped  for  by  the  subjects  of  grace  are  the  pardon  of  all  their  sins, 
through  the  precious  blood  of  Christ, — peace  in  their  souls,  under  the 
gracious  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  an  evidence  of  that  pardon 
and  eternal  glory  with  Christ,  the  supreme  object  of  their  love  in 
the  world  to  come. 

The  natural  eye  hath  not  seen  these,  but  God  having  clearly  re- 
corded them  in  the  Bible,  faith  credits  them  as  infallible  facts,  and 
they  are  thus  substantiated  as  divine  realities  in  the  souls  of  believ- 
ers,— so  that  faith  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for,  the  evidences 
of  things  not  seen.  Therefore,  as  we  said,  the  grace  of  faith  leads 
those  who  have  received  it,  truly  to  credit  what  God  hath  recorded 
in  His  holy  Word. 

The  grace  of  true  faith  influences  those  who  have  received  it  to 
long  for  great  and  fresh  spiritual  blessings  daily  from  God.  Those 
who  have  the  least  degree  of  this  faith,  earnestly  long  for  more/  nor 
can  they  be  satisiied  without  assurance.  Like  the  church  in  the 
Canticles,  they  feel  an  aching  void  in  their  souls  until  they  find 
their  beloved,  and  know  that  their  sins  are  forgiven. 

Thus  the  grace  of" true  faith  leads  all  its  happy  subjects  to  long 
for  those  things  that  are  pleasing  to  God.  Such  like  St.  Paul  count 
all  things  but  clung  and  dross,  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge 
of  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.  Phil.  iii.  8.  The  object  of  their  first  pur- 
suit is  the  kingdom  of  God  and  His  righteousness,  which  blessings 
they  will  most  certainly  possess.  And  the  Lord  says,  all  other  bless- 
ings shall  be  added  unto  them.  Mat.  vi.  33.  They  long  for  the  com- 
pany of  God's  dear  children,  that  they  may  hear  them  declare  what 
He  hath  done  for  their  souls.  They  long  for  the  constant  enjoyment 
of  God's  presence.  For  when  He  hides  His  face  they  are  troubled. 
Ps.  xxx.  7.  They  long  for  the  conquest  of  all  sin,  for  sin  is  that 
which  their  souls  loathe.  They  long  for  a  greater  knowledge  of 
Christ  in  his  person  and  offices,  for  He  is  the  object  of  their  real 
love,  and  they  never  will  be  fully  satisfied  until  they  are  drinking 
the  rivers  of  pleasure  at  God's  right  band. 

The  grace  of  faith  sweetly  influences  those  that  are  blessed  with 
if.  to  renounce  the  devil  and  his  works,  the  pomps  and -vanities  of 
this  wicked  world,  and  all  the  sinful  lusts  of  the  flesh,  and  to  seek 
for  the  enjoyment  of  God,  and  to  act  for  His  glory  and  the  gopd  of 
mankind.  It  was  the  grace  of  faith  that  influenced  Joshua  to  re- 
solve that  whatsoever  others  might  do,  he  and  his  house  would 
serve  the  Lord.     It  was  the  same  kind  of  faith  that  enabled  Abra- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  389 

Sham  to  forsake  his  native  country  and  his  father's  house— to  wander 
du  a  strange  land,  and  even  to  offer  his  only  son  a  sacrifice  at  Cod's 
-command.  It  influenced  the  little  army  of  martyrs  mentioned  in 
the  book  of  Hebrews,  to  endure  such  cruel  tortures  ;  and  glory  be  to 
God,  he  bestows  the  same  grace  of  precious  faith  upon  many  in  the 
present  day,  who,  under  a  true  conviction  of  their  wretched  state  by 
nature  and  practice,  cast  their  souls  upon  Christ,  crying  in  tbe  lan- 
guage of  holy  Job,  though  He  slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust  in  Him.  Also 
like  the  above  worthies  in  obedience  to  God's  direction,  they  come 
out  from  the  thoughtful  and  giddy  world  and  live  separate,  touching 
not  the  unclean  things.  And  God  graciously  accepts  such,  and  is  a 
father  unto  them  ;  and  they; are  his  sons  and  daughters.  2  Cor.  iv. 
17,  18.  /This  grace  of  faith  sweetly  influenceth  its  happy  subjects  to 
a  life  of  grateful  activity  for  God.  If,  therefore,  that  grace  hath 
reached  thy  heart,  thou  art  risen  from  thy  natural  death  in  trespasses 
and  sins,  and  art  called  to  fight  as  a  good  soldier  of  Christ  against 
the  world,  flesh  and  devil. 

We  beseech  the  dear  reader  to  examine  carefully  by  these  plain 
Scripture  evidences  whether  thou  art  a  believer  or  an  unbeliever  ; 
whether  in  the  road  to  heaven  or  to  hell — in  a  state  of  salvation  or 
condemnation.  From  hence  it  appears  that  there  is  as  much  differ- 
•ence  between  that  historical  notion,  which  many  ignorantly  call 
faith — and  the  faith  of  the  operation  of  God— as  there  is  between  the 
picture  of  a  man  and  a  real  man.  For  this  reason  this  faith  hath  fre- 
quently some  peculiar  title  or  name  of  distinction  in  Scripture.  The 
blessed  Jesus  tells  us  that  they  who  have  it  have  passed  from  death 
unto  life.  John  v.  24.  Because  these  into  whom  this  invaluable 
grace  is  conveyed  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  are  risen  from  th^t  state  of 
death  in  trespasses  and  sin,  which  we  have  proved  all  are  in  by 
nature  unto  a  life  of  righteousness,  bv  the  faith  of  the  operation  of 
God.  Col.  ii.  12.  It  is  likewise  called  the  faith  of  God's  elect.  Titus 
i.  1.  Because  all  who  have  it  wore  elected  of  God.  1  Pet.  i.  2, — not 
only  because  it  views  the  precious  blood  of  Christ,  which  frees  the 
•conscience  from  its  guilty  fears,  but  administers  real  peace  to  the 
soul.  Rom.  v.  1.  It  is  called  a  faith  that  overcometh  the  world.  1 
John  v.  4.  It  so  endears  the  blessed  Savior  to  those  who  have  received 
it,  that  although  they  were  in  boudage  to  the  law  as  a  covenant  of 
works  before,  they  are  now  made  free  by  the  blood  of  Christ.  And 
we  are  told  such  are  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  faith  unto 
salvation.  1  Pet.  i.  15,  That  this  may  be  the  happy  lot  of  all  to  whom 
these  are  addressed,  is  the  prayer  of  yours  in  Gospel  bonds.    Amen. 

Samuel,  Gibson. 
October  21st,  1822. 


Gold,  Elder  Pleasant  Daniel  was  born  in  Cleveland 
county,  JsT.  C,  March  25th,  1833.  In  1853,  when  in  the 
20th  year  of  his  age,  he  joined  the  Missionary  Baptists  at 
Double  Springs  church,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Joseph 
Suttle.     A  short  time   afterward  he  set  in  with  A.  W.  Bur- 


3$Q  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

ton,  Esq.,  to  read  law,  but  before  coming  to  the  bar'  was- 
moved  by  the  revival  discourses  of  Elder  T.  C.  Teasdale,. 
D.D  ,  (who  was  then  holding  a  protracted  meeting  at  Shelby,. 
N.  C.,)  to  engage  in  preaching  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  In 
1857  he  was  licensed  by  the  church  at  Zion  Hill,  in  Cleve- 
land county.  In  1861  he  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of" 
the  ministry  at  Chesterville,  S.  C,  by  Elders  Griffith  and 
Hinton,  and  became  a  very  acceptable  and  popular  preacher. 
On  the  22d  January,  1863,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Julia  Pipkins,  of  Goldsboro,  H.  C,  by  Elder  N.  B. 
Cobb.  Elder  Gold  states  "that  a  few  years  after  this  I  was- 
very  much  exercised  about  my  own  condition,  and  afterward 
became  convinced  that  salvation  is  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  who- 
is  the  righteousness  of  His  people.  I  also  was-  for  years 
much  exercised  concerning  the  doctrine  and  uractices  of  the 
Missionary  Baptists,  and  becoming  convinced  that  they  did 
not  hold  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Savior,  and  had  also  depart- 
ed from  the  ancient  landmarks  in  accepting  so  many  institu- 
tions of  men,  my  mind  was  irresistibly  led  to  the  Primitive 
Baptists.  I  united  with  them,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
C.  B.  Hassell,  at  Kehukee  church,  Halifax  county,  K.  C,  on 
the  2d  Sunday  in  March,  1870,  since  which  time  I  have 
been  with  them,  and,  having  obtained  mercy  of  the  Lord,  I 
continue  to  this  present." 

In  regard  to  Elder  Gold's  change  of  views  we  will  make 
no  remarks.  We  recognize  him  as  a  christian  brother,  and 
a  good  and  useful  man  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  He  is 
now  editor  of  "Zion's  Landmark,"  a  semi-monthly,  devoted 
to  the  Primitive  cause,  at  Wilson,  N.  C.  We  wish  him  great 
success  in  his  religious  pilgrimage  on  earth,  and  a  happy  en- 
trance upon  a  full  fruition  of  permanent  happiness  in  the 
eternal  world  above. 


Grayson,  Elder  Joseph  C.  was  born  June  13th,  1804, 
Was  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  Head  First  Broad  Bap- 
tist church,  by  Elder  John  Padgett,  March  20,  1825.  About 
a  year  afterward  he  was  appointed  Deacon,  which  office  he 
lilled  till  1828,  when  he  began  to  preach.  Shortly  after,  his 
health  failed;  for  more  than  a  year  he  was  not  able  to  travel, 
and  preached  but  little  in  two  years;  his  health  then  im- 
proved, and  he  exercised  his  gift  in  the  church  and  neighbor- 
ing churches  till  the  5th  of  September,  1831,  when  lie  was 
ordained  to  the  ministry  by  a  presbytery,  viz:  Elders  Drury 
Dobbins,  John  Padgett  and  Alfred  Webb.  At  the  next 
church  meeting  they  called  him  to  take  the  pastoral  care  of 
the  church.  He  served  them  twelve  years  in  succession,  and 
declined  a    further  call.     One    of  tluse  years   he   baptized 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  391 

lift)  -seven  persons.  He  then  took  a  letter  of  dismission  and 
united  with  others  in  the  constitution  of  a  new  church  at 
Harmony  Grove,  which  he  served  as  pastor  for  several  years. 
Iu  1844  Cane  Creek  church  was  constituted  under  his  labors, 
-and  he  was  called  to  serve  it  several  years.  In  1857Dysarts- 
ville  church  was  constituted  under  his  labors  also,  and  he 
•■served  them  several  years.  At  different  times  he  supplied 
the  churches  at  Bill's  Creek,  Mountain  Creek,  Round  Hill, 
Crooked  Creek,  Mt.  Vernon,  Mt.  Zion  and  Bethel.  The 
last  named  thirty -live  years.  When  he  joined  the  church  at 
Head  of  First  Broad,  it  belonged  to  the  Broad  River  Associ- 
ation, and  wae  chosen  a  lay  delegate  in  1826,  to  the  Associa- 
tion which  convened  that  year  at  Macedonia  church.  The 
•church  to  which  he  belonged  a  short  time  afterward  was  let- 
tered from  the  Broad  River  to  assist  in  the  organization  of 
the  Catawba  River  Association  in  1828.  The  Green  River 
body  was  subsequently  organized  in  1840  :  the  Harmony 
Grove  church  to  which  he  then  belonged  took  a  letter  from 
•the  Catawba  and  joined  the  Green  River.  He  is  now  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Dysart8ville  church  of  the  Green  River  Associa- 
tion. He  was  Clerk  of  the  Catawba  Association  many  years, 
and  Moderator  four  or  five  years.  He  was  Clerk  of  the 
Green  River  Association  five  years,  and  Moderator  twenty 
years.  His  manner  of  preaching  is  mostly  doctrinal,  to  feed 
the  church  of  God.  He  is  now  in  the  78th  year  of  his  age, 
having  been  an  ordained  minister  fifty-two  years.  He  is 
now  supplying  three  churches,  to-wit:  Bethel,  Head  First 
Broad,  and  Bunker's  Hill. 

Elder  Grayson  is  recognized  as  being  one  of  the  best  of 
men — alwavs  engaged — -endeavoring  to  roll  on  the  wheels  of 
Zion,  by  giving  aid  and  encouragement  to  all  the  different 
enterprises  now  on  foot  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel.  He 
has  written  several  circular  letters  addressed  to  the  churches 
on  important  subjects  worthy  of  preservation,  and  we  avail 
ourself  of  the  opportunity  to  reproduce  one,  on  a  passage  of 
the  Scriptures  iu  reverence  to  the  evil  spirit  taking  possess- 
ion of  the  hearts  of  men.  The  letter  will  doubtless  present 
to  many  a  new  phaze,  to  a  subject  often  quoted,  to  prove 
final  apostacy. 

On  the  25th  of  January,  1827,  he  married  Miss  Eliza 
R.  Wilson,  an  amiable  christian  lady,  with  whom  he  lived 
in  tender  affection  near  thirty  years,  and  reared  an  interest- 
ing family.  She  died  December  31st,  1856.  In  1872  (then 
in  his  68th  year)  he  married  Eliza  Rodrick,  with  whom  he 
is  traveling  the  journey  of  life  at  the  present  time. 

To  use  his  own  language,  copied  from  one  of  his  letters, 
"His  opportunities  of  an  education    were  very  limited.     He 


392  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

never  saw  a  book  on  English  Grammar  till  after  he  was  mar- 
ried.  After  his  wife  had  two  children  he  boarded  out  tei» 
miles  from  home  and  went  to  a  Grammar  school.  The  most 
of  his  education  was  obtained  from  books  by  pine  light,, 
"when  the  most  of  people  were  asleep."  And  yet  Elder 
Grayson  was  a  well  educated  man. 

CIRCULAR  LETTER. 

The  Green  River   United   Baptist  Association — To  the   Churches  in 

Union  : 

Agreeable  t©  the  direction  of  our  lust  Association,  we  address- 
yon  on  Matthew  xii.  43-45  :  "When  the  unclean  spirit  is  gone  out  of 
a  man,  he  walketh  through  dry  places  seeking  rest,  and  findeth 
none.  Then  he  said,  I  will  return  into  my  house  from  whence  I 
eame  out ;  and  when  he  is  come,  he  findeth  it  empty,  swept  and 
garnished.  Then  goeth  he,  and  taketh  with  himself  seven  other 
spirits  more  wicked  than  himself,  and  they  enter  in  and  dwell  there, 
and  the  last  state  of  that  man  is  worse  than  the  first.  Even  so  shali 
it  be  also  unto  this  wicked  generation." 

By  the  unclean  spirit,  is  meant  Satan,  the  old  serpent,  the  devilr 
who,  by  the  Jews  used  to  be  called  as  here,  "the  unclean  spirit.'7 
As  he  is  the  cause  of  uncleanuess  in  men,  and  delights  in  unclean 
persons,  places  and  things,  this  going  out  of  -a  man  is  not  to  be  un- 
derstood of  his  being  dispossessed  of  the  bodies  of  men,  nor  of  his 
going  by  force  through  the  power  of  divine  grace,  out  of  the  souls  of 
men,  but  of  his  leaving  the  Jews  for  awhile  in  some  sort,  while 
Christ  and  the  Gospel  were  among  them,  and  of  his  going  out  of  the 
Scribes  and  Pharisees — not  really,  but  putting  on  another  form— ap- 
pearing as  an  angel  of  light,  and  under  the  guise  of  holiness  and 
righteousness.  And  so  he  may  be  said  to  go  out  of  men  when  any 
outward  reformation  is  made  in  them,  and  they  take  up  a  profession 
of  religion,  though  destitute  of  the  saving  grace  of  God. 

Like  Simon  Magus,  Acts  viii.  13-22,  who  professed  to  believe  and 
Was  baptized  ;  who  offered  the  apostles  money,  that  on  whomsoever 
he  laid  his  hands,  he  might  receive  the  Holy  Ghost ;  by  which  Peter 
perceived  that  his  heart  was  not  right  in  the  sight  of  God  ;  that  he 
was  in  the  gall  of  bitterness  and  .bonds  of  iniquity.  And  like  Hy- 
meneus  and  Alexander,  who  had  put  away  holding  faith  and  a  good 
conscience,  and  concerning  the  faith  made  shipwreck.  1  Tim.  i.  19, 
20,  which  does  not  emply  that  they  ever  had  a  good  conscience  or 
faith,  since  that  may  be  put  away,  which  was  never  had.  The  Jews, 
who  blasphemed  and  contradicted,  and  never  received  the  Word  of 
God,  are  said  to  put  it  from  them  (see  Acts  xiii.  40 ;)  where  the  same 
word  is  used  as  here,  and  signifies  to  refuse  or  reject  anything  with 
detestation  and  contempt  ;  concerning  the  faith  have  made  ship- 
wreck, which  designs  not  the  grace  but  the  doctrines  of  faith  which 
men  may  profess,  and  lall  from,  and  entirely  drop  and  lose,  as  these 
men  did-;  and  like  Judas  Iscariot,  one  of  the  twelve  apostles,  whom 
Christ  calls  a  devil  (John  vi.  70,  71,)  and  the  Evangelist  calls  a  thief; 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  'dik 

six  days  before  the  passover  Christ  came  to   Bethany — there  they 
made  Him  a  supper,  at  which  Mary  anointed  the  feet  of  Jesus  with 
very  costly  ointment,  and  wiped  His  feet  with  her  hair.    Judas  said, 
why  was  not  this  ointment  sold  for  three  hundred  pence  and  given 
to  the  poor.    This  he  said,  nottnat  he  cared  for  the  poor,  but  because 
lie  was  a  thief,   and  had  the  bag,   and   bare   what  was  put  therein. 
(John  xii.  1-16.)     Thus  we  see  that  he  was  a  devil — that  is,  like  the 
devil,  who  was  a  murderer  from  the  beginning,  and  a  liar,  and  the 
father  of  it  (John  viii.  44,)  and  a  thief,  and  that  he  cared  not  for  (lie 
poor,  which  proves  to  a  demonstration  that  he  was  a  bad  man  before 
Satan  is  said  to  have  entered  into  him  [John  xiii.  27  ;]  and  there  is 
no  proof  that  he  ever   was  a  good  man  ;  but  Satan,  the  evil  spirit 
returned  into  his  house,  from  whence  he  came  out  when  Jesus  gave 
him  the  sop,  and  stirred  up  his  lusts,  so  that  he  betraj'ed  Christ — 
and  the  last  state  of  that  man  is  worse  than  the  first.    And  the  above 
named  Simon  Magus,  Hymeneus  and  Alexander  are  in   the  same 
predicament.     There  has  been   a  difference  of  opinion  with  some 
whether  it  is  the  unclean  spirit,  or  the  man,  that  walketh  through 
dry  places  seeking  rest  and  fiudeth  none,  and  that  returneth  into  his 
house,  &c.     The  grammatical  construction  of  the    passage  shows 
clearly  that  it  is  the  unclean  spirit,  and  not  the  man.    Referring  to 
a  prevailing  notion  among  the  Jews,  that  unclean   spirits  walk  in 
and  haunt  desert  and  desolate  places,  and  may  have  regard  to  the 
Gentiles,  among  whom  Satan  might  go  seeking  rest  and  satisfaction 
among  them  in  their  idolatries  and  other  wickedness;   till  he  was 
there  also  disturbed  by  the  Gospel  sent  among  them.     Iu  1  Peter  v. 
8,  we  are  told  that  the  devil,  as  a  roaring  lion  walketh  about,  seek- 
ing whom  he  may  devour.     Or  by  these  dry  places  may  be  meant  the 
saints,  among  whom  he  takes  his  walks  in  order  to  distress  them  by 
temptation,  being  secure  of  Pharisaical  persons.     And  these  may  be 
so  called,  not  for  what  they  are  in  themselves — for  they  have  a  well 
of  living  water  in  them,  and  are  watered  by  the  Lord — but  for  what 
they  are  to  the  unclean  spirit,    there  being  nothing  in  their  grace, 
and  the  exercise  of  it,  and  in  their  spiritual  performances  grateful  to 
him  ;  nor  were  there  in  them  the  mire  and  dirt  of  iniquity  to  roll 
in,    as   in    unregenerate  persons;    therefore  he  is   represented    as 
seeking    rest    and    findeth    none.     [See    Dr.    Gill's    exposition  on 
Matthew  xii.  43-45.]  His  views  in  walking  in  these  places,  or  among 
such  persons,  is   rest— not  the  rest  of  the  saints  [he  seeks  their  dis- 
turbance,] but  his  own  rest,  which  is  to  do  all  the  mischief  he  can, 
by  stirring  up  corruption,  tempting  to  sin,  and  by  discouraging  the 
exercise  of  grace,  but  is  not  able  to  do  as  much  mischief  as  he  would, 
and  cannot  Hud  the  rest  he  seeks  for,     [See  Job  i.  6,  7,  and  ii.  2,  3.] 

Then  he  saith,  I  will  return  into  my  house  from  whence  I  came 
out.  into  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  outward  professors  of  religion, 
who,  notwithstanding  their  outward  reformation  and  great  preten- 
sions to  holiness,  are  Satan's  house  still.  And  though  he  says  from, 
whence  I  came  out,  yet  he  never  really  and  properly  quitted  it,  only 
seemingly,  and  in  appearance  he  now  throws  off  the  guise,  re- 
50 


/ 


394  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

assumes  his  former  character,  as  a  vicious  and  unclean  spirit.  And 
when  he  is  come  he  flndeth  it  empty,  of  God,  of  the  true  knowledge 
of  him,  and  love  to  Him,  of  Christ,  of  faith  in  Him,  of  the  Spirit  of 
God  and  His  graces,  and  of  spiritual  internal  religion  and  powerful 
godliness;  swept,  not  with  the  spirit  convincing  of  sin,  righteous- 
ness and  judgment,  but  with  the  besom  of  an  outward  reformation, 
and  garnished  with  secret  lusts  and  corruptions  for  this  unclean 
spirit,  with  some  show  of  morality,  an  observance  of  some  external 
rites  and  ceremonies,  and  a  few  hypocritical  performances  of  fasting 
and  prayer,  which  Satan  can  very  well  bear  with,  so  long  as  the 
heart  is  empty  of  spiritual  grace.  Then  goeth  he  and  taketh  to  him- 
self seven  other  spirits  more  wicked  than  himself;  this  may  denote 
a  large  number  of  devils  [seven  being  a  number  of  perfection,]  or 
else  the  various  corruptions  of  a  man's  heart,  the  swarms  of  internal 
lusts,  which  are  there  stirred  up  by  Satan.  As  these  are  more  per- 
nicious than  the  devil  himself,  and  they  enter  in  and  dwell  there — 
that  is,  though  they  were  there  before — now  they  exert  and  show 
themselves,  and  such  men  appear  to  be  under  the  power  and  govern- 
ment of  them.  When  leaving  their  seeming  religion  and  holiness, 
they  "return  like  the  dog  to  his  own  vomit  again,  and  the  sow  that 
was  washed  to  her  wallowing  in  the  mire."  They  become  more 
wicked  than  they  were  before  they  made  pretensions  to  religion, 
as  such  apostles  generally  are  more  extravagant  in  sinning,  and  are 
s.ldom  recovered  by  repentance  and  their  last  end  is  eternal  damna- 
tion. "For  if,  after  they  have  escaped  the  pollutions  of  the  world, 
through  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ,  they 
are  ag<iin  entangled  therein  and  overcome,  the  latter  end  is  worse 
with  them  than  the  beginning."     [See  2dPeter  ii.  20,  21,  22.] 

Even  so  shall  it  be  also  unto  this  wicked  generation.  From  this 
application  the  parable  or  above  relation  seems  primarily  to  refer  to 
the  fickle-minded  Jews  in  general,  and  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees  in 
particular,  who  pretend  to  be  very  religious  outwardly,  when  the 
Lord  declared  that  they  were  like  whited  sepulchres,  which  indeed 
appear  beautiful  outside,  but  are  within  full  6f  dead  men's  bones, 
and  of  all  uncleanness.  [Matt,  xxiii.  27.]  They  wanted  to  see  a  sign 
or  some  miracle  from  Christ,  and  because  they  were  not  gratified  in 
their  own  waj  they  finally  said,  crucify  Him.!  crucify  Him!  !— His 
blood  be  upon  us  and  our  children — and  brought  wrath  on  them- 
selves to  the  utmost ;  so  they  were  destroyed  soon  after  from  being  a 
nation,  and  have  been  a  by-word  and  a  reproach  among  the  nations 
where  they  are  scattered. 

It  is  thought  by  some  that  this  passage  is  susceptible  of  an  indi- 
vidual application,  and  that  the  wicked  disposition  of  aman  is  here 
represented  by  an  unclean  spirit,  which  could  leave  and  return  to 
the  man  at  pleasure.  That  is  intended  to  represent  a  person  who, 
under  conviction  of  sin,  makes  good  resolutions  and  partially  re« 
forms,  but  like  the  stony  ground  hearers,  "he  heareth  the  Word  and 
anon  with  joy  receiveth  it.  Yet  hath  no  root  in  himself,  butdureth 
for  awhile,  for  when  tribulation  or  persecution  ariseth  because  of  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  395 

Word,  by-and-by  he  is  offended  [Matt.  xiii.  20,  21 ;]  and  the  last 
state  of  tbatman  is  worse  tban  the  first ;  for  there  is  a  great  differ- 
ence between  the  devil  going  out  of  a  person  and  being  driven  out. 
A  person  may  join  a  church  under  deception,  thinking  he  has  relig- 
ion, when  the  unclean  spirit  is  only  gone  out,  but  he  has  no  enjoy- 
ment there;  and  he  may  continue  so  for  a  time,  when  the  unclean 
spirit  returns  and  finds  it  empty  of  all  good— that  is,  his  heart,  and 
garnished  with  secret  lusts — then  he  goeth  and  taketh  with  himself 
seven  other  spirits  more  wicked  than  himself.  That  is,  the  man, 
through  the  influence  of  the  devil,  yields  to  the  secret  lusts  of  the 
flesh,  which  are  worse  to  a  man  than  the  devil  himself.  If  he  has 
only  been  addicted  to  swearing,  profanely  before,  perhaps  he  now 
takes  up  lying  and  drunkenness,  uncleanness,  and  every  abomina- 
tion that  comes  in  his  way, — perhaps  turns  Atheist,  and  denies  that 
there  is  any  God,  or  hereafter  ;  and  it  is  next  to  impossible  ever  .to 
persuade  that  man  to  turn  his  attention  to  religion  ;  and  the  last 
state  of  that  man  is  worse  than  the  first. 

Therefore  let  us  take  the  admonition  of  Paul :  "Take  heed, 
brethren,  lest  there  be  in  any  of  you  an  evil  heart  of  unbelief  in  de- 
parting from  the  living  God  ;  but  exhort  one  another  daily,  while  it 
is  called  to-day,  lest  any  of  you  be  hardened  through  the  deceitful- 
ness  of  sin.  For  we  are  made  partakers  of  Christ,  if  we  hold  the 
beginning  of  our  confidence  steadfast  unto  the  end."  [Heb.  iii.  12, 
13,  14.]  And  as  there  is  great  danger  of  being  deceived  in  religion, 
by  the  unclean  spirit  and  our  own  wicked  hearts,  "Examine  your- 
selves whether  ye  be  in  the  faith,"  for  it  matters  not  what  our  pro- 
fession is,  unless  we  have  experienced  a  change  of  heart.  "Except 
a  man  be  born  again  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God." 

Fraternally,  Joseph  C.  Grayson. 

September  30th,  1853. 


Grogan,  Elder  Thomas  was  a  member  of  Wolfe's 
Creek  church,  and  in  1832  was  a  lay  delegate  to  the  Broad 
River  Association  at  its  session  at  Sandy  Run  church  of  that 
year.  He  appeared  at  the  next  session  at  Long  Creek  as  a 
layman,  representing  the  same  church,  and  in  1834  he  ap- 
peared at  the  session  of  the  Association  for  that  year  at 
Goucher  Creek  church  as  a  licensed  minister  with  Elder 
William  Hannon  ;  then  in  1835  at  the  session  of  Wolfe's 
Creek  he  appears  as  an  ordained  minister  and  delegate  from 
the  same  church.  After  that  we  lose  sight  of  him  in  the 
Broad  River  Minutes,  and  conclude  he  must  have  emigrated 
to  some  other  field.  We  have  heard  him  spoken  of  as  a- 
good  preacher.  We  are  unable  to  state  the  time  of  his  birth, 
or  what  became  of  him  after  1835.  He  must  have  been  or- 
dained to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  some  time  within 
that  year. 


396  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Guthrie,  Elder  Jonathan  was  a  member  of  Macedonia 
church,  and  in  1820  he  was  a  lay  delegate  in  the  session  of 
the  Broad  River  Association,  held  at  Mountain  Creek 
church.  In  1821  he  appeared  in  the  session  held  at  Zion  as 
a  licensed  preacher  and  delegate  from  Macedonia.  He  was 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  in  the  year  1822, 
and  was  again  delegated  by  that  church  to  the  session  held 
at  Mt.  Zion  church.  He  continued  in  the  confidence  of  his 
church,  and  was  annually  chosen  to  represent  it  in  the  Asso- 
ciation until  1830.  At  the  session  of  the  body  of  that  vear 
a  committee  was  appointed  to  examine  into  the  standing  of 
Macedonia  church,  who  reported  "the  church  in  order,  and 
Elder  Guthrie  in  disorder."  Measures  were  afterwards  in- 
stituted to  depose  him  from  the  ministry,  and  he  was  de- 
posed. The  Association  advised  the  churches  composing  its 
body  to  close  their  houses  of  public  worship  against  said 
Guthrie,  and  further  advised  the  members  ot  the  churcheo 
to  close  the  doors  of  their  dwellings  against  him  as  a  preach- 
er. For  a  more  detailed  account  ot  Jonathan  Guthrie,  see 
the  journalistic  part  of  this  work,  session  1830. 


Hamilton,  Elder  Sanford  Griffin  was  born  in  Ruth- 
erford (now  Polk)  county,  N.  C,  January  llth,  1809.  He 
joined  the  Baptist  church  at  Green  River  in  1835,  a-nd  com- 
menced exercising  his  girt  soon  after.  In  1836  he  made  his  first 
appearance  in  the  Broad  River  Association  as  one  of  the 
delegates  from  Green  River  Church.  Soon  after  that  session 
(which  was  held  at  Zion  Church)  he  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry ,and  made  great  improvements  in 
preaching,  despite  the  disadvantages  he  had  to  labor  under 
by  reason  of  a  great  lack  of  education.  He  became  pastor 
of  several  churches,  amongst  which  was  Green  River,  Camp's 
Creek  and  Friendship.  In  1839,  he  was  so  fortunate  as  to 
obtain  in  matrimony  the  hand  of  Miss  Nancy  Wells  of  Fair 
Forest,  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C,  the  daughter  of  a  well 
known  deacon,  John  Wells,  Esq.,  with  whom  he  lived  in 
tender  affection  for  a  few  years.  At  the  session  of  the  Asso- 
ciation held  that  year  he  was  appointed  by  the  body  to 
preach  the  introductory  sermon  before  the  Association  in 
1840,  and  also  to  write  a  circular  letter  on  the  subject  of 
Brotherly  Love,  both  ot  which  appointments  he  filled  with 
credit  to  himself.  Soon  after  this,  on  Sept.  3rd,  1842,  he 
had  the  misfortune  to  lose  by  the  ruthless  hand  of  death  his 
dearly  beloved  wife.  He  afterward  married  Mrs.  Eliza 
Eaves  of  Rutherforclton,  and  moved  to  Georgia,  Cass  county; 
and  remained  there  until  1859.  He  then  removed  to  Chero- 
kee county,  Alabama,  and  the  war  coming  on  soon  after,  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  m 

removed  back  to  his  native  county,  where  he  remained  in 
•care  of  his  family  until  1868,  he  removed  to  Kansas,  and 
from  that  new  western  state  he  took  a  sort  of  exploring 
tour  through  Indian  Territory,  contracted  pneumonia,  of 
•which  he  died,  Nov.  28th,  1881.  He  continued  to  preach 
■during  the  whole  period  of  his  life,  but  while  in  Georgia  he 
identified  himself  with  the  Primitive  sect  of  Baptists.  The 
•circular  letter  prepared  by  him  in  1840,  is  hereby  reproduced 
•and  given  in  this  work. 

Personal  Appearance. — Elder  S.  G.  Hamilton,  was 
•of  small  statue,  not  more  than  5  feet  8  or  10  inches  in  hight, 
of  round  heavy  build,  would  probably  weigh  150  pounds. 
Was  genial  and  frank  in  his  manners,  always  meeting 
friends  with  a  smiling  face.  His  head  was  large,  well  bal- 
anced and  level,  of  quick  apprehension,  dark  hair  and  blue 
•eyes.  If  not  very  suitable  for  a  leader,  we  venture  the  as- 
sertion that  he  generally  did  his  own  thinking,  and  acted 
•accordingly. 

His  history  shows  that  he  was  of  a  roving,  discontented 
turn  of  mind;  he,  like  many  other  of  the  Adamic  family, 
found  out  doubtless  while  on  the  brink  of  the  grave,  that 
unalloyed  eujoyment  in  this  life  is  only  a  myth,  a  mere 
phantom,  existing  only  in  the  imagination* 

CIRCULAR  LETTER. 

The  Broad  River  Baptist  Association — To  the  Churches  in  Union--* 

Greeting : 

Dear  Brethren  "—According  to  an  arrangement  made  in  our 
last  annual  meeting,  we  address  you  this  year  upon  the  subject  of 
Brotherly  Love;  and  in  directing  your  attention  to  a  principle  of 
such  high  magnitude,  and  to  considerations  of  such  vast  importance 
as  those  embraced  in  the  doctrines  of  our  subject,  we  have  great  rea- 
sons to  fear  that,  in  a  short  letter,  we  shall  not  be  able  to  do  it  that 
justice  to  which  it  is  eminently  entitled.  For  when  we  take  into 
consideration  the  stress  which  is  laid  upon  it  in  the  Word  of  God, 
both  as  respects  the  manner  in  which  it  is  stated  and  the  frequency 
with  which  it  is  enjoined,  sufficiently  is  proven  to  show  us  the  pow- 
erful influence  it  has  in  the  christian  church,  for  it  is  enforced  by  our 
Lord  as  the  distinguishing  law  that  rules  in  the  hearts  of  the  sub- 
jects of  His  Kingdom  "For  this,"  says  He  (John  xv.  12,)  "is  my 
commandment,  that  ye  love  one  another  as  I  have  loved  you." 
Whether,  then,  we  take  into  consideration  the  obligation  we  are 
under  to  obey  Him  whom  we  regard  as  the  Author  of  our  salvation 
or  the  benefits  arising  to  ourselves  and  others.  By  a  close  adherence 
to  this  injunction,  it  embraces  considerations  of  the  highest  interest 
to  all  christian  believers  who  have  become  members  of  the  mystical 
body  of  Christ,  and  are  subjects  to  and  sharers  in  the  blessings  of  His 
divine  kingdom.  Our  limits  will  not  permit  us  to  enlarge  upon  the 
subject  and  character  of  love,  as  it  stands   unconnected  with  the  rel- 


398  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES'. 

ative  term,  <:brother  ;"  for  in  fact,  so  far  as  this  principle  is  seetr  t<s* 
exist  in  and  form  the  character  of  the  Eternal  I  Am,  it  is  indescri- 
bable, and  Ave  might  ju  st  as  well  undertake  to  describe  the  Eterna 
Being,  who  is  the  source  of  all  creative  power,  and  thereby  unfold 
to  view  the  cause  of  His  existence,  as  to  describe  that  unbounded 
ocean  of  love  that  exists  in  the  character  of  the  Deity,  And  although 
there  may  be  a  cause  why  love  exists  in  our  hearts,  which  is  implied 
in  the  relative  term  of  brother,  yet  that  sacred  principle  is  uncaused 
in  God,  and  is  as  independent  for  a  reason  of  its  existence  as  any 
other  attribute  that  belongs  to  the  character  of  Deity  ;  for  the  Word 
declares  that  "He  is  love."  (1  John  iv.  8.)  And  it  necessarily  fol- 
lows that  this  principle  is  as  eternal  and  uncaused  in  God  as  any 
other  that  belongs  to  His  character.  The  existence  of  this  fact,  how- 
ever, does  not  hinder  us  from  taking  notice  of  this  lovely  principle, 
as  it  exists  in  the  human  heart  in  its  relative  character  of  brotherly 
love.  For  although  it  is  uncaused  in  God,  yet  it  is  plain  from  His 
eternal  Word  that  it  is  caused  in  us;  for  it  declares  "that  we  love 
Him,  because  He  first  loved  us."  (1  John  iv.  19.)  In  our  endeavors, 
therefore,  to  simplify  the  bearing  that  this  principle  has  upon  the 
human  character,  and  enforce  the  interest  that  all  ought  to  take  in> 
cultivating  its  native  and  genuine  loveliness  upon  the  minds  ofmenr 
We  shall  first  speak  of  the  distinguishing  facts  that  constitute  that 
spiritual  relationship  implied  in  the  character  of  brother. 

The  effects  that  love  has  upon  the  family  created  by  this  rela- 
tionship, and  the  consequences  resulting  therefrom  in  all  the  shades* 
in  which  it  is  to  be  viewed,  both  in  its  declining  state  in  the  hearts, 
of  believers  as  well  as  at  the  time  when,  from  a  high  state  of  improve- 
ment, it  communicates  the  blessings  enjoyed  by  those  under  its- 
happy  influence.  First,  then,  it  is  plain  that  all  men  do  not  stand 
in  the  relation  to  each  other  implied  in  the  subject  upon  which  we 
write,  consecmently  they  do  not  and  can  not  be  in  possession  of 
brotherly  love — at  least  until  the  relationship  is  formed.  For  the 
word  brother  is  a  kindred  term,  and  implies  in  a  common  parentage 
— a  common  likeness,  and  a  common  interest ;  it  is  a  family  word, 
used  to  express  the  tenderest  endearments,  and  strongest  ties  formed 
by  affinity.  Spiritually  speaking,  it  implies  a  oneness — as  all  the 
children  of  the  same  family  is  called  our  family — possessing  common 
rights,  common  feelings,  and  common  privileges,  which  arises  out 
of  a  common  principle  of  family  relationship.  This  relationship 
must  be  formed  before  there  can  be  formed  in  the  heart  a  principle 
of  brotherly  love.  Well  may  the  children  of  God  know  that  they 
are  disciples  of  Christ,  if  they  love  one  another,  for  in  fact  they  can 
not  possess  brotherly  love  unless  they  are  children. 

We  have  not  space  to  describe  here  the  manner  in  which  this 
relationship  is  formed,  for  it  would  extend  this  letter  beyond  the 
usual  limits.  It  will  be  sufficient  to  say  that,  in  the  economy  of  Di- 
vine grace,   there  has  been  a  channel  opened  through  which  that 

creative  or  adopting  power  of  love  could  flow  to  the  hearts  of  believ- 
ers in  Christ  Jesus — which  changes  their  relationship  from  worldly 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  399 

objects  and  "translates  them  into  the  Kingdom  of  God's  dear  Son"— 
which  changes  their  hearts  from  the  love  of  sin  and  forms  them 
-anew  in  Christ.  This  Divine  process  upon  the  hearts  of  men,  alien- 
ated from  God,  and  who  are  represented  as  strangers  and  foreigners 
.from  the  common  family,  rights  and  privileges,  and  that  brings 
them  nigh  by  the  blood  of  the  covenant,  and  adopts  them  into  the 
family  of  the  saints  in  Christ,  is  called  the  "new  birth" — being  born 
^gain,  being  born  of  the  Spirit,  created  anew  in  Christ  Jesus,  by 
which  process  a  family  connexion  is  formed,  and  the  same  family 
feeling  and  spirit  of  love  is  communicated  to  every  heart;  and  by 
which  a  covenant  relationship  is  formed  with  God,  though  Jesus 
Christ  as  our  Father;  which  makes  the  believer  a  child,  an  heir,  and 
.a  joint  heir  with  the  blessed  Redeemer.  And  in  the  communication 
of  love  we  become  partakers  of  the  same  nature  with  him  of  God, 
And  as  Christ  was  the  express  image  of  the  Father,  so  we  by  becom- 
ing partakers  of  His  nature,  assimilate  into  His  likeness  and  image 
in  a  spiriual  point  of  view.  And  thus  having  the  family  likeness, 
4ind  the  family  feelings,  like  as  Christ  loved  us,  so  we  love  one 
■another. 

The  effect  and  consequences  flowing  out  of  this  relationship, con,, 
stitute  the  second  consideration  to  which  we  invite  your  attention. 
And  first,  the  communication  of  love  for  God  to  man,  creates  in  the 
heart  brotherly  love,  which  is  shown  in  the  plainest  terms  by  the 
language  of  Scripture.  "We  love  Him  because  He  first  loved  us.' 
(1st  John  xiv;  19.)  "He  that  loveth  him  that  begat,  loveth  him 
iilso  that  is  begotten."  Consequently,  the  cause  that  we  love  God, 
is  because  He  first  loved  us,  and  the  cause  that  we  love  him  that  is 
begotten,  is  because  we  love  Him  that  begetteth.  It  is  therefore  the 
great  love  of  God,  made  manifest  in  the  hearts  in  covenant  mercies, 
that  produces  in  the  human  heart  the  first  principles  of  brotherly 
love  ;  and  all  that  have  ever  experienced  its  powerful  influence  upon 
their  hearts  have  felt,  at  the  time  of  its  receptiop,  not  only  love  to- 
ward their  Redeemer  and  Friend,  but  also  a  strong  affection  for  and 
great  attachment  toward  those  who  have,  by  the  power  of  adopting 
grace,  been  made  members  of  the  same  spiritual  family,  and  parta- 
kers of  the  Divine  nature  with  themselves. 

And  it  is  this  principle  existing  in  the  feelings  of  the  common 
brotherhood  that  unites  them  together,  and  engages  them  to  take 
such  great  interest,  and  undergo  such  great  labor  for  each  others' 
welfare,  and  which  should  at  all  times  so  affect  the  christian  heart 
toward  his  brother  as  to  cause  him  to  watch  over  him  for  good — to 
promote  his  interest  and  spiritual  welfare — to  conceal  his  follies, 
bear  with  his  imperfections,  and  increase  his  happiness  by  every 
means  which  it  is  in  his  power  to  employ. 

Many  reasons  might  be  here  set  forth  why  this  course  should  be 
pursued  by  every  christian,  a  few  of  which  must  now  suffice  ;  and 
first,  because  it  is  acting  in  obedience  to  the  directions,  and  well 
pleasing  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  tends  to  the  carrying  out  theobjects 
intended  by  the  establishment  of  this  great  rule  and  law  of  His 


4W  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Kingdom.  Secondly,,  it  insures  to  the  possessor  of  it  all  the  advanv- 
tages  arising  from  the  blessings  of  Divine  life  ;  for  in  our  obedience 
we  are  to  be  blessed — ''for  that  man,"  says  the  Word,  "shall  be  bless- 
ed in  bis  deed."  The  sweet  influence,  therefore,  of  the  heavenly 
winds  of  peace  and  joy  may  be  expected  by  those  who  feel  the  kind 
emotions  of  love  toward  the  brethren,  from  the  fact  that  it  is  set 
down  as  a  rule  of  evidence  by  which  we  know  tbat  we  are  the  disci- 
ples of  Christ ;  for  in  its  enjoyments  we  see  clearly  that  we  are  the 
children  of  the  same  Heavenly  Parentage,  and,  by  the  rule  or  law 
of  covenant  mercies,  entitled  to  the  guardian  protection  and  kind 
assistance  of  our  Heavenly  Father.  It  opens  up  to  our  view  the 
kind  attention  and  thoughts  of  peace  that  God  the  Father  hath 
towards  us,  and  the  great  provisions  made  for  our  present  and  future 
support  and  comfort ;  yea,  it  enables  us  to  read  in  this  sacred  rule  of 
evidence  that  we  are  children,  because  we  feel  that  which  no  other 
can  feel  for  us,  to-wit :  Love  toward  the  Lovely  Parent,  who  hath 
begotten  us  to  a  lively  hope,  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  from 
the  dead  ;  and  at  the  same  time  love  toward  all  the  children  of  like 
parentage,  by  which  we  know  ourselves  to  be  heirs  and  joint  heirs- 
of  all  the  riches  and  glories  that  belong  and  appertain  to  the  Fath- 
er's house.  O!  brethren!  what  a  field  of  heavenly  prospects  arises- 
to  the  view  of  those  in  possession  of  this  testimony  !  All  the  heights 
nf  immortal  joys  belong  of  right  to  them.  The  unfading  fields  of 
heavenly  bliss,  variesrated  as  they  are  by  the  flowers  and  beauties  in- 
terspersed all  through  those  abodes  and  mansions  of  the  blessed,  are 
all  their's.  In  reviewing  this  delightful  theme,  they  s^e  themselves- 
the  favored  children  of  parental  care  through  time,  and  beyond  the 
grave  the  happy  sharers  together  of  everlasting  life  ;  they  can  view 
no  end  to.thejoys  of  this  famjly  inheritance.  They  may  gaze  through 
its  mighty  expanse,  and  as  the  mind  runs  along  the  flowery  land- 
scape of  this  prospective  view,  it  is  swallowed  up  in  the  Divine  rev- 
erie of  thought  that,  while  veiled  in  short-sighted  humanity ,  the 
mind  is  enabled  to  trace  only  the  margin  of  the  riches  and  heavenly 
^oy  laid  up  for  those  who  love  God  and  one  another. 

And  well  may  such  persons  say  to  themselves,  that  if  the  fore- 
taste or  earnest  of  this  inheritance  sweetens  so  much  the  bitter  cup 
of  dull  mortality,  and  renders  moments  so  delightful  in  their  pass- 
ing bliss,  what  will  the  enjoyment  be  when  they  are  possessed  of  the 
inheritance  itself  in  glory? — which  insures  eternal  rest,  immortal 
houors  and  heavenly  joys — and  exempts  the  possessor  from  every 
fear  and  fearful  thought  of  sin,  of  sorrow  and  of  death.  What  strong 
reasons  are  here  presented  why  we  should  love  the  brethren  !  And 
not  only  is  it  an  evidence  to  us  that  we  are  disciples — and  if  so — by 
covenant  grace  the  rightful  heirs  of  those  blessings  named.  But 
there  should  be  a  remembrance  in  our  minds,  and  which  should 
strongly  induce  us  to  cherish  this  brotherly  principle  of  love,  that 
we  shall  be  sharers  of  all  those  great  and  lasting  blessiugs  set  forth 
above— that  our  brethren  here  will  be  our  associates  there— that  these 
considerations   may    tei.d  to  heighten   the  interest  we  ftel  in  that 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  401 

abode  of  everlasting  peace;  for  that  while  we  strike  our  notes  of 
praise  in  strains  of  joy  for  redeeming  grace  upon  the  golden  harps  of 
heaven,  our  happiness  may  be  heightened  by  the  harmony  arising 
out  of  the  songs  of  kindred  souls,  shouting  forth  their  piaises  in  the 
Heavenly  Redeemer  for  delivering  grace.  These  considerations 
should  strongly  influence  every  believer  in  the  church  of  Christ  to 
impart  to  one  another  every  needed  assistance,  for  we  should  be  co- 
workers together  and  co- helpers  of  each  other — bearing  in  mind  that 
our  business  in  life  is  to  secure  the  crown  of  immortality  for  our- 
selves and  others.  "This,"  says  the  Savior,  "is  my  commandment, 
that  ye  love  one  another  as  I  have  loved  you."  (John  xv.  12.)  What 
liKeness  then  has  our  love  to  His?  His  love  to  us  influenced  Him 
to  undergo  many  painful  sensations  to  relieve  us  from  pain,  and  our 
love  for  the  brethren  should  produce  in  us  a  like  feeling.  His  love 
to  us  produced  in  Him  a  strong  desire  to  administer  to  our  wants,  to 
search  out  the  cause  of  our  sorrow  and  apply  the  antidote  for  its  re- 
lief. And  our  love,  to  be  like  His,  must  and  should  influence  us  to 
pursue  the  same  high  aim  toward  one  another.  His  love  to  us  had 
regard  to  our  suffering  condition,  and  so  should  ours  toward  our 
brethren.  His  love  to  us  induced  Him  to  visit  and  comfort  us  in 
our  needy  time,  to  converse  with  us  like  a  friend  speaks  to  his 
friends;yea,it  was  even  long  suffering  towards  us.  When  we  wronged 
Kim  He  did  not  complain,  but  overlooked  the  wrong,  and  loved  us 
still  /  and  when  we  denied  Him  as  our  friend  He  turned  and  looked 
upon  us  with  the  compassion  of  dying  love,  while  He  hung  in  pain 
for  our  sakes,  and  not  one  unkind  word  He  spake  against  us.  After 
all,  to  love  one  another  like  He  loved  us,  how  kind  and  tender  ought 
we  to  be !  forbearing  toward  one  another,  and  comforting,  and  im- 
parting to  one  another  those  favors  their  needs  require  as  far  as  it  in 
our  power  to  do  so  ;  and  as  saith  the  Word,  "to  do  good,  and  to  com- 
municate forget  not."  Thus  love  to  our  brethren  will  lead  us  to  bear 
one  another's  burdens,  and  so  fulfill  the  law  of  Christ.  And  in  fact 
it  is  the  strongest  evidence  that  we  love  the  brethren  if  we  feel  a  dis- 
position fixed  in  us  to  visit,  relieve,  and  comfort  them,  and  the 
strongest  expressions  of  Scripture  bear  us  out  in  the  assertion.  Wit- 
ness 1  John  i.  17.  "Whoso  hath  this  world's  goods  and  seeth  his 
brother  have  need,  and  shutteth  up  his  bowels  of  compassion  from 
him,  how  dwelleth  the  love  of  God  in  him  ?"    See  Rom.  xii.  13. 

Forbearance  is  also  a  great  part  of  brotherly  love.  "Forbearing 
one  another  in  love,"  says  the  Word.  Eph.  iv.  2.  In  the  christian 
church  there  is  great  variety  of  character,  and  through  the  weak- 
ness of  frail  humanity  it  may  be  expected  that  causes  of  distress  will 
arise,  in  all  of  which  great  forbearance  should  be  exercised,  which 
will  not  only  show  forth  our  love,  but  also  tend  to  cultivate  in  oth- 
ers' that  principle  toward  us.  It  is  the  heaping  coals  of  fire,  or  melt- 
ing love  upon  the  hearts  of  those  that  have  a  quarrel  against  us — to 
exercise  toward  them  the  gentle  principle  of  love  and  forbearance. 
The  truth  is,  if  we  have  cause  to  speak  to  our  offending  brother,  all 
the  meekness  and  gentleness  of  Christ  should  be  in  our  temper  and 
51 


492  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

manner.  We  should  dip  our  tongue  in  the  very  fountain  of  love. 
Every  feeling,  every  look,  every  tone  of  anger  should  be  suppressed, 
if  we  wish  to  show  a  brother's  love  to  him  and  secure  his  love  to  us. 
And  the  very  favors  of  heaven  are  upon  such  in  the  discharge  of  such 
duties;  for  "blessed  are  the  peace-makers,  for  they  shall  be  called 
the  children  of  God."  Thus  you  may  see,  dear  brethren,  the  good 
effects  and  consequences  that  flow  from  love  toward  one  another  in 
its  high  state  of  cultivation. 

If  we  love  one  another  as  we  should,  wTe  have  great  desire  for 
each  others'  welfare ;  consequently,  at  a  throne  of  grace,  we  have 
remembrance  there  for  each  other.  If  we  love  each  other,  we  love 
to  meet  and  attend  upon  the  means  of  grace.  Our  churches  are  full 
on  the  times  of  our  assembling  for  worship,  and  the  highest  pleasure 
known  on  earth  are  enjoyed  under  the  exercise  of  brotherly  kindness 
and  tender  affection  for  each  other.  And  by  this  love  and  affection 
we  testify  that  we  have  been  with  Jesus,  and  others  take  knowledge 
of  the  fact.  In  truth,  love  is  the  ruling  law  of  our  kingdom,  and 
without  it  the  kingdom  itself  tumbles  down. 

"  How  great,  then,  is  the  injunction  "to  love  one  another !"  How 
much  depends  upon  it !  how  immutable  is  loveliness ;  how  lasting 
its  consequences  ;  how  consoling  the  blessings  it  imparts  to  others  ; 
how  sweet  the  enjoyment  to  the  possessor.  It  relieves  the  distressed, 
it  comforts  the  mourner,  it  gives  rest  to  the  weary,  it  soothes  the  sor- 
rows of  the  afflicted  and  makes  them  forget  their  pain,  it  takes  away 
the  sting  of  death,  it  is  the  cement  that  binds  together  the  kingdom 
of  Christ,  it  unites  the  powers  that  pull  down  the  walls  of  Satan's 
kingdom,  it  supports  in  death,  it  opens  the  pass  of  Jordan  and  trans- 
lates the  souls  of  men  from  the  abodes  of  death  to  the  realms  of  life  ; 
it  has  built  the  high  mansions  of  Heaven,  and  fills  the  everlasting 
fields  of  love  with  the  sweetest  notes  of  praise  ;  for  in  fact  Christ  is 
God  with  us  and  in  Him.  We  have  relationship  to  God,  for  He  is 
our  elder  brother,  and  the  channel  through  which  this  distinguish- 
ing principle  has  come  to  us  to  refresh  our  weary  souls.  His  love  to 
us  was  brotherly  love — living  as  a  brother,  speaking  and  acting 
among  men  ;  His  birth  is  regarded  as  the  nativity  of  love  ;  His  ser- 
mons, the  words  of  love  ;  His  miracles,  the  wonders  of  love;  His 
tears,  the  meltings  of  love  ;  His  crucifixion,  the  agonies  of  love  ;  His 
resurrection,  the  triumphs  of  love,  Herein  it  is  natural  that  love 
should  be  the  cardinal  virtue  in  the  character  of  His  saints,  and  that 
it  should  be  the  law  that  regulates  their  conduct  towards  each  other. 
If,  then,  dear  brethren,  as  much  depends  of  present  happiness 
and  future  joy  on  the  cultivation  of  this  principle  amongst  us,  what 
manner  of  people  ought  we  to  be,  in  all  loveliness,  that  the  image  of 
Jesus  may  appear  in  us,  and  that  we  stimulate  others  to  the  pursuit 
of  objects  of  like  character?  Therefore,  while  we  feel  great  love  in 
our  hearts  toward  you,  we  beseech  you  to  cultivate  among  yourselves 
the  tenderest  feelings  of  brotherly  love,  for  we  know  that  the  very 
reverse  of  what  we  have  said  will  follow  if  you  have  not  love  one 
toward  another.  Every  shade  of  distress  and  sorrow  will  follow, 
which  we  have  not  space  here  to  name. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  403 

And  may  the  God  of  love  sanctify  your  hearts  and  aid  you  in 
your  respective  duties,  so  that  you  may  be  the  happy  partakers  of 
the  blessings  arising  out  of  the  heavenly  influence  of  love  upon 
your  hearts,  is  the  prayer  of  yours  in  Gospel  bonds. 

S.  G.  Hamilton. 
October  10th,  1SI0. 


Hamrick,  Elder  George  Pinckney  was  born  August 
23rd,  1849,  in  Cleveland  County,  N.  C.  Professed  religion 
and  joined  the  church  at  Boiling  Springs  in  August,  1863. 
Was  educated  at  Wake  Forest  College.  Ordained  to  the 
ministry  in  January,  1880,  by  Elder  J.  S.  Ezell  and  A.  A. 
McSwain  officiating  presbytery. 

Brother  Hamrick  made  his  first  appearance  in  the 
King's  Mountain  Association  in  the  session  of  1873,  then  a 
lay  delegate.  In  the  session  of  1874  he  was  again  a  delegate 
and  a  licentiate  from  the  Boiling  Springs  church.  He  "did 
not  again  appear  until  the  session  of  1879  and  1880,  being 
absent  at  College. 

Elder  Hamrick  having  completed  his  course  of  studies 
at  Wake  Forest  College,  has  entered  fully  into  the  ministerial 
work,  and  has  now  the  pastoral  care  of  State  Line  church 
in  the  town  of  Whitaker,  and  of  Bethlehem,  besides  laboring 
at  other  points  in  the  surrounding  country.  He  is  not  only 
a  very  acceptable  preacher,  but  a  good  pastor  and  indefatia- 
ble  worker,  endeavoring  to  push  forward  all  the  objects  or 
enterprises  of  the  church  or  Association  whether  it  be  home 
or  Foreign  Missions,  Sunday  School,  Temperance,  Church 
Music,  etc. 

His  residence  is  at  Whitaker  on  the  Richmond  and  At- 
lanta Air  Line  Railroad,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in 
teaching  until  recently  he  has  given  his  whole  time  to  the 
ministry  of  the  Word. 

Elder  Hamrick  is  a  young  man  of  2;reat  promise,  and 
we,  with  his  many  ardent  friends  anticipate  for  him  a  career 
of  much  usefulness  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 
His  views  of  the  doctrines  of  sovereign  grace  are  eminently 
scriptural,  and  his  presentation  of  them  are  generally  very 
earnest  and  effective.  His  style  of  preaching  is  argumenta- 
tive and  persuasive,  mixed  with  much  tenderness  and  melt- 
ing pathos.  He  will  doubtless  be  able  generally  to  make  a 
good  impression  on  the  congregation  that  attend  his  minis- 
trations of  the  word.  May  he  be  spared  many  years  to  labor 
in  the  vineyard  of  the  Master!  And  may  he  have  many 
seals  to  his  ministry ! 


434  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Harrill,  Elder  William  is  a  native  of  Rutherford 
county,  N.  CL,  born  October  1st,  1803.  He  joined  the 
church  at  Concord  in  1828,  and  was  ordained  1833.  At  the 
session  of  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1837  he  appeared 
in  that  body  as  a  delegate,  and  again  in  the  session  of 
1840.  The  Concord  church  was  dismissed  in  1841  to  assist 
in  the  organization  of  the  Green  River  Association,  and 
brother  Harrill  was  isolated  thereby  from  the  Broad  River 
body  for  a  time,  but  in  1847  he  joined  Bethel  church  by  let- 
ter, and  represented  that  church  in  the  Broad  River  body  in 
1847,  being  then  the  pastor  of  the  church  at  Bethel. 

Elder  Harrill  was  blind  of  an  eye,  aud  said  to  be  a  very 
pious  minister  of  the  gospel.  He  was,  however,  like  a  great 
many  Baptist  preachers  of  the  olden  time,  somewhat  desti- 
tute of  scholastic  attainments.  After  serving  the  Bethel 
church  for  a  few  years,  we  think  he  returned  again  to  the 
Green  River  Association,  and  a  few  years  since  was  pastor 
of  the  church  at  Cool  Spring.  He  yet  lives,  in  the  79th  year 
of  his  age  and  has  a  cross-bearing  son  to  represent  him  in 
the  person  of  Elder  H.  D.  Harrill,  of  the  Green  River  Asso- 
ciation. 


Harris,  Elder  J.  Logan  appears  in  the  minutes  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  as  the  pastor  of  Unity  church  from 
1856  to  1866.  His  birth  place  is  unknown  to  the  writer. 
He  married  a  Miss  Spangler,  of  Cleveland  county,  N.  C.  He 
embraced  religion  in  early  life  and  was  licensed  to  preach 
about  the  year  18 — ,  and  has  since  been  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry.  He  is  a  good  cabinet  workman,  and 
devotes  as  much  ot  his  time  to  preaching  as  he  can  spare 
from  the  requirements  of  his  mechanical  profession.  He  is 
an  uneducated  man,  but  a  close  student  of  the  Bible,  with 
some  fluency  of  words  whereby  he  is  enabled  to  say  some 
tilings  comforting  and  edifying  to  those  who  attend  his  min- 
istrations. We  are  without  information  as  to  his  present 
whereabouts,  but  think  he  has  moved  out  of  the  bounds  of 
the  Broad  River  Association.  He  was  probably  born  about 
the  vear  1825. 


Harguess,  Elder  Abraham  was  a  pioneer  Baptist  min- 
ister, who  was  doubtless  in  the  Convention  that  organized 
the  Broad  River  Association.  We  find  from  the  Minutes  of 
the  Association  that  he  represented  one  of  the  churches  in 
the  session  of  1801,  and  took  part  in  the  deliberations  of  the 
body  at  that  early  day,  and  he  does  not  subsequently  appear 
in  the  records  ;  he  probably  emigrated  to  some  other  field  of 
labor  previous  to  the  meeting  of  the  body  in  1802.      We  are 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  405 

Unable  to  give  his  history  as  to  ministerial  services  or  quali- 
fications. Let  his.  name,  however,  be  handed  down  to  the 
generation  yet  to  come  as  being  worthy  of  grateful  remem- 
brance for  the  assistance  he  reudered  the  denomination  to 
which  he  belonged  in  organizing  an  advisory  council,  which 
lias  been  productive  of  many  blessings  to  the  Baptist  people. 


Holland, 'Elder  Julius  was  a  member  of  Long  Greek 
-church,  and  a  lay  delegate  to  the  Broad  River  Association 
in  the  session  of  1811.  He  is  supposed  to  have  been  born 
-about  1774,  and  ordained  to  the  ministry  in  1812.  He  is 
said  to  be  a  brother  of  Hon.  James  Holland,  who  represent- 
ed Rutherford  county  in  the  Senatorial  branch  of  the  Legis- 
lature of  North  Carolina  in  1797,  and  also  of  Elder  Moses 
Holland,  of  the  Saluda  River  Association,  an  able  and  elo- 
quent minister  for  that  time.  The  family  of  Hollands  of 
•Gaston  county,  N.  C,  many  of  whom  are  high-toned  and  re- 
spectably connected,  are  represented  as  being  the  descend- 
ants of  Elder  Julius  Holland. 

He  died  in  1813,  about  a  year  after  his  ordination  to  the 
ministry,  and  we  find  the  subjoined  entry  on  the  Minutes  of 
the  Association  of  that  year  : 

Resolved,  That  we  notice  the  demise  of  Elder  Julius  Holland, 
■of  Long  Creek  church,  who  died  since  the  last  session  of  this  body. 
He  was  a  pious  minister  of  the  Gospel,  an  ornament  to  society,  and 
a  friend  to  the  poor. 


Hannon,  Elder  William  was  a  member  of  Wolfe's 
Creek  church  in  18*22,  and  as  a  layman  represented  the  church 
in  the  Broad  River  Association  that  year.  He  was  licensed 
to  preach  the  next  year,  and  continued  consecutively  as  a 
delegate  to  the  Association  annually  until  1842,  having  been 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  about  the  year 
1825.  During  this  period  of  time  he  was  pastor  nearly  all 
the  time  ot  Wolfe's  Creek  and  Green's  Creek  churches,  and 
fur  a  time  Cross  Roads.  After  this  we  lose  -sight  of  him, 
and  are  unable  to  say  whether  he  emigrated  to  some  other 
field  of  labor,  or  was  taken  to  his  reward.  We  are  not  in- 
formed of  the  date  of  his  advent  into  the  world,  but  having 
once  seen  him,  would  suppose  it  may  have  been  about  1795. 
We  never  heard  Elder  Hannon  preach  the  Gospel,  but  have 
been  informed  that  he  was  a  good,  pious  man,  of  moderate 
preaching  talents. 


Henderson,  Elder  Hugh  was  a  lay  delegate  from 
Green's  Creek  in  1808,  afterward  was  a  member  of  Wolte's 
Creek,  and  a  licentiate  in  1819,  and  a  delegate  to  the  Broad 


403  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

River  Association.  In  1821  he  was  ordained  to  the  full  min*- 
isterial  work,  and  was  continued  as  a  delegate  to  the  differ- 
ent sessions  of  the  Association  until  1830,  when  his  name- 
was  marked  as  an  absentee.  We  suppose  the  old  pioneer- 
had  become  superannuated,  and  doubtless  soon  passed  away 
to  his  reward.  We  are  not  informed  as  to  the  date  of  his- 
birth  or  death,  nor  have  we  any  information  as  to  his  quali- 
fications as  a  minister.  We  doubt  not,  however, that  he'ren- . 
dered  much  valuable  aid  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  in  the  early 
days  of  the  Association.  Let  his  name  be  remembered  by 
succeeding  generations.     He  was  doubtless  not  only  a  soldier 

I—/     CD  « 

of  the  cross,  but  a  Revolutionary  patriot  besides,  as  many  of 
the  old  pioneer  ministers  were  known  to  be.  In  the  trou- 
blous times  of  the  Revolutionary  war  nearly  every  man,  re- 
gardless of  his  calling  or  profession — whether  under  com- 
pulsive requirements  or  not — did  voluntarily  (being  moved 
by  patriotic  impulses,)  take  a  defensive  position  in  behalf  of 
liberty. 


IIicks,  Elder  Berryman,  is  a  native  of  Spartanburg- 
county,  S.  C.  Born  July  1st,  1778.  Joined  the  Baptist 
church  at  the  original  State  Line  a  short  distance  from  the 
present  house  of  worship  of  that  name,  about  the  year  1800. 
and  appears  in  the  minutes  as  a  lay  delegate  from  said  church 
in  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association  held  at  New 
Salem  in  Rutherford  county,  N.  C.  in  1801.  He  was  soon 
afterwards  licensed  and  set  apart  by  ordination  in  1808,  by'a 
presbytery  consisting  (it  is  said)  of  Elders  Joseph  Camp, 
Drurv  Dobbins  and  others  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry. 
And  believing,  as  he  doubtless  did,  "it  was  not  good  for  a 
man  to  be  alone"  he  had  intermarried  with  Miss  Elizabeth 
Durham,  of  Rutherford  county,  N.  Con  October  10th,  1799, 
and  now  settled  on  Sandv  Run  Creek  in  1809,  where  he 
continued  to  reside  many  years,  during  which  they  reared  a 
large  and  interesting  family.  During  this  time  he,  with  his 
fellow-laborers  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  (Elder  Drury 
Dobbins,)  "went  everywhere  preaching  the  word."  He  was 
a  great  revivalist,  and  by  his  persuasive,  tender  and  pathetic 
manner,  he  through  divine  grace  accomplished  much  appa- 
rent good  in  building  up  a  religious  interest,  which  at  that 
time  was  in  a  drooping  and  depressed  condition.  The  names 
of  "Hicks  and  Dobbins"  became  household  words,  so  great 
was  their  popularity  as  ministers.  Hicks  possessed  some 
poetical  talent  and  composed  numerous  hymns  and  spiritual 
songs  very  well  adapted  to  the  revival  occasions,  which  were 
very  much  in  use  by  the  brethren  and  sisters  of  that  period, 
and   are    well    remembered  by   many  of  the  present  day. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  407 

Many  persons   yet   living  will   recollect  Hick's  experience, 
which  lie  put  into  verse  as  follows: 

Come  all  ye  christian  pilgrims,  who  are  from  sin  set  free, 
Come  here,  sit  down  and  listen  while  I  relate  to  thee  : 
Long  time  I  lived  in  darkness,  in  love  with  vanity — 
Loved  to  frequent  unholy  ways,  and  from  the  Lord  did  flee. 

As  I  was  running  from  Him  He  called  unto  me, 
The  road  that  you  are  going  leads  down  to  misery; 
JBut  still  I  pressed — determined  for  to  go — 
But  Jesus  followed  after  to  prevent  my  overthrow. 

He  told  me  of  the  riches  that  were  laid  up  on  high, 
And  all  that  did  believe  on  Him,  he  said  should  ne'er  die  ; 
I  thought  it  was  too  soon  for  me,  in  pleasure  I  would  dwell, 
-But  Jesus  still  pursu'd  me  and  kept  my  soul  from  hell. 

I  thought  I  would  reject  Him,  and  oftentimes  I  tried, 
At  length  He  made  it  known  to  me,  He  would  not  be  denied; 
He  stretched  out  the  Gospel  net  and  sweetly  drew  me  in, 
If  I'd  had  my  choice,  I  had  lived  still  in  sin. 

I  think  I  ought  to  love  Him  for  what  He's  done  for  me, 
He  took  me  from  the  dreadful  pit,  and  set  the  captive  free.; 
Upon  the  rock  of  ages  He's  fixed  my  standing  sure; 
<_)  for  a  heart  to  praise  Him  till  the  decisive  hour  I 

To  pattern  after  Jesus,  it  was  my  full  intent, 

And  in  His  ordinances  most  cheerfully  I  went ; 

My  soul  did  magnify  the  Lord,  free  grace  1  then  did  sing : 

I  with  my  -duties  did  comply,  and  Jesus  was  my  theme. 

I  lov'd  to  meet  my  brethren  dear,  and  with  them  often  join 
To  praise  our  glorious  Savior,  that  was  to  us  so  kind, 
While  joining  all  together  in  peace  and  unity, 
We  had  each  other's  cause  at  heart,  and  sweetly  did  agree.   * 

The  preachers  were  engaged,  the  Gospel  sounded  loud, 
And  many  precious  converts  to  Zion's  gates  did  crowd, 
While  love  and  acclamation  so  freely  did  abound, 
And  glory  to  King  Jesus  throughout  the  camps  did  sound. 

But  now  the  scene  is  changed — religion's  at  its  ebb — 
We  see  the  mourning  pilgrim  now  bowing  down  his  head, 
In  sighs  and  lamentations  he  makes  a  mournful  cry  ; 
dome  pay  to  us  a  visit,  dear  Jesus  from  on  high. 

•Cheer  up  my  loving  brethren,  your  sorrows  soon  shall  end, 
And  then  away  to  Canaan  to  see  your  dearest  friend, 
Where  you  shall  never  part  again,  but  in  sweet  union  dwell-^ 
And  now,  my  loving  brethren,  I  bid  you  all  farewell ! 

As  a  preacher,  however,  he  excelled,  and  was  certainly 
the  Apollos  of  the  Broad  River  Association  in  his  day  and 
time,  because  he  was  not  only  gifted  in  oratory  hut  was 
*' mighty  in  the  Scriptures."  His  mind  was  of  a  superior 
order,  and  although  his  education  was  limited,  yet  his  intel- 
lectual powers  were  so  massive  and  penetrating  as  to  enable 
him  to  grapple  with  any  great  question,  either  of  divinity  or 
science ;  and  yet  he  was  as  unassuming,  modest  and  mild  as 


408  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

the  most  effeminate  of  the  softer  sex.  He  was  never  known 
to  be  captious,  or  in  anywise  contentious.  Had  Elder  Hicks- 
been  educated,  and  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  wealthy  and 
influential  family  connexions,  there  is  no  knowing;  what  a. 
bright  and  shining  li^ht  he  would  have  been  among  men  of- 
science  and  literature.  His  career,  as  it  is,  has  not  proven  a 
dark  and  worthless  record.  As  before  stated,  he  made  his- 
tirat  appearance  in  the  associate  body  in  180-3,  as  a  layman  ; 
since  that  time  he  has  continued  almost  successively  to  figure 
annually  in  the  Association,  and  frequently  as  Moderator  or 
Clerk  of  the  body,  which  shows  the  esteem  in  which  he  was 
held  by  the  brotherhood  ;  and  the  acts  of  the  body  with 
which  he  was  connected  speak  for  themselves,  declaring  his- 
ability  and  usefulness  as  a  religious  business  man. 

Elder  Hicks  was  always  a  lover  of  music,  either  vocal  or 
instrumental.  In  early  life  he  became  a  good  performer  on 
the  violin,  the  beautiful  and  melodious  strains  of  which  he 
suffered  to  be  turned  to  a  bad  use  in  the  service  of  sin.  While 
thus  perverting  its  use,  and  really  abusing  it,  he  acquired  an 
ugly  habit  of  twitching  his  head  in  peeping  time  to  the  mu- 
sic, which  he  afterwards  carried  with  him  into  the  pulpit, 
ami  from  which  it  is  said  he  never,  during  life,  was  entirely 
relieved.  Although  this  was  probably  the  case — for  it  is- 
almost  impossible  to  eradicate  bad  habits — yet  he  would 
often,  after  his  conversion,  amuse  himself  and  family,  even 
late  in  life,  by  playing  on  the  violin  as  an  accompaniment  to 
the  singing  of  the  sweet  song  of  Zion.  And  why  should  he 
not?  It  was  just  as  proper  as  the  use  of  the  organ  in  the 
churches  at  the  present  day. 

Unfortunately,  after  Elder  Hicks'  popular  and  useful 
career  in  the  Broad  River  Association,  he  became  financially 
embarrassed  for  a  large  amount,  whereby  a  brother,  Deacon 
E.  Jones,  who  was  his  bondsman,  became  a  severe  sufferer, 
and  in  consequence  of  which,  fellowship  could  not  be  main- 
tained, Elder  H.  being  at  the  time  a  member  of  and  pastor 
of  the  Buffalo  church,  one  of  the  constituents  of  the  Broad 
River  Association.  A  case  was  made  and  set  for  hearing  in 
that  church,  and  after  laboring  a  good  deal  for  fellowship, 
without  any  good  result,  the  matter  was  dropped,  Elder 
Hicks  remarking  that  uif  he  had  committed  anything  worthy 
of  death,  that  was  the  time  to  slay  him."  He  was  not  slain 
by  any  act  of  excommunication  or  censure,  but  the  matter 
abated,  and  he  moved  (without  a  letter  of  dismission)  to  his 
native  county  of  Spartanburg,  S.  C,  and  was  (agreeably  to 
the  Minutes  of  the  Association)  called  to  the  pastorate  of 
Buck  Creek  church  in  1838.  It  is  alleged  by  some  that  he 
never  preached    any   more    after   his  troubles  with  Deacon 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  409 

Jones,  and  in  that  particular  acted  consistently,  and  in  obedi- 
ence to  the  law  of  Christ  in  never  afterward  brinariuff  his 
"gift  to  the  altar,"  because  he  remembered  his  brother  had 
aught  against  him.  But  that  needs  confirmation.  If  he  was 
chosen  pastor,  he  probably  preached — which,  however,  if  he 
did,  was  certainly  a  violation  of  the  law  of  Christ,  which  re- 
quires a  reconciliation  with  his  brother  before  exercising  his 
gift. 

Under  this  dark  cloud  our  venerable  Bro.  Hicks  was 
called  away,  and  the  difficulty  between  him  and  Deacon 
Jones  was  never  satisfactorily  adjusted;  consequently  Elder 
Hicks  was  never  afterwards  a  member  of  the  associate  body, 
in  which  he  had  previously  borne  so  distinguished  a  part. 
He  died  on  the  11th  day  of  June,  1839,  on  Little  Buck 
Creek,  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  His  demise  is  unnoticed 
in  the  Minutes  of  the  Association  at  any  subsequent  session. 
"Whether  this  be  ungrateful  we  will  not  pretend  to  say.  We 
hope,  however,  and  believe  that  Elder  Hicks  was  like  other 
men  who  have  to  contend  with  many  foibles  and  imperfec- 
tions, but  withal,  was  a  pious  christian  and.  servant  of  Grod. 
"Let  him  that  thinketh  he  standeth,  take  heed  lest  he  fall." 

Elder  H.  was  a  strong  Calvinist,  and  believed  in  the 
doctrine  of  "election."     We  therefore  reproduce  his  song  on 

that  subject,  viz : 

"Come,  brethren,  let  us  join  and  sing 
The  praises  of  our  Heavenly  King, 
Who  found  us  lost  and  brought  us  home, 
Pardoned  our  sins  and  made  us  His  own 
By  the  glorious  plan"  of  Election. 

Election  is  a  glorious  theme, 

It  pleases  me  to  hear  the  name  ; 

But  some  will  say  they  despise  the  plan, 

And  tell  you  Arminius  was  the  man 

That  showed  the  right  way  of  salvation. 

But  Jesus  Christ  is  God's  elect, 
And  He  will  not  His  own  neglect  ; 
His  people  were  all  elected  in  Him 
Before  the  world  it  did  begin, 

Or  any  part  of  Creation. 

Some  will  say  Election's  wrong, 
And  hold  with  Arminius  very  strong,     • 
And  mix  free-will  throughout  the  throng, 
And  say  every  man  can  come  along 
And  receive  a  free  salvation. 

Some  will  say  Election's  right, 
But  then  will  turn  and  just  deriy't, 
And  say  that  God  has  laid  a  plan 
That's  open'd  a  way  for  every  man 
To  receive  a  free  salvation. 

52 


410  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Some  will  say  Election's  wrong, 
And  hold  with  Arminius  very  strong, 
But  then  will  turn  and  tell  you  true, 
A  guilty  sinner  nothing  can  do 

To  merit  his  own  salvation. 

Some  will  say  free-will  is  true, 
And  there  is  nothing  else  will  do  ; 
They  say  that  God  is  gracious  still, 
And  every  one  may,  come  when  they  will, 
And  receive  a  free  salvation. 

If  this  be  so  I  ask'  you  all, 
To  make  a  difference  in  the  call, 
And  tell  us  why  somejdo  come  in 
While  others  live  and  die  in  sin, 

And  never  receive  salvation. 

Methinks  I  hear  you  thus  reply, 
For  every  one  did  Jesus  die, 
As  much  for  them  that  die  in  sin 
As  them  that  are  by  grace  brought  in 
To  receive  a  full  salvation. 

I  wonder  why  some  are  so  blind 
To  treat  the  Scriptures  so  unkind? 
They  give  the  sinner  all  the  power 
His  happiness  for  to  secure, 

And  merit  his  own  salvation. 

I  believe  Election's  right — 
I  never  intend  for  to  deny't — 
Because  I  rind  a  golden  chain 
Throughout  the  Scripture  of  the  same, 
And  every  link's  Election. 

Come  now,  my  friends,  begin  to  view 
And  search  the  Scriptures  clearly  through, 
And  drop  the  notion  of  free-will. 
And  now  I  bid  you  all  farewell, 

And  pray  for  your  salvation. 

Personal  Appearance. — Elder  Hicks  was  above  the 
ordinary  height,  very  corpulent,  and  weight  probably  250  to 
300  pounds;  blue,  or  rather  hazel  eyes,  dark  hair,  erect 
form,  and,  upon  the  whole,  of  very  fine  physique  and  attract- 
ive appearance  generally. 

We  give  to  the  public  two  circular  letters  written  by 

Elder  Hicks,   believing  that  their  reproduction   and  perusal 

may  prove  beneficial  to  the  reader  of  this  work.     The  first 

is  on  the  Foundation  on  which   Christians  can  be  Agreed ;  and 

the  second  is  on  the  Design  of  Circumcision,  and  the  difference 

between  that  and  Baptism.     The  foregoing  have  been  selected 

from  various  other  letters  of  his,  because  of  the  subjects 
treated.  Elder  Hicks  has  written  elaborately  on  other  sub- 
jects : 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  411 

CIRCULAR   LETTER. 

The  Foundation  on  zvhich  Christians  can  be  Agreed. 

Beloved  Brethren  : — Through  an  indulgent  Providence  we 
have  had  another  interview,  in  an  associate  capacity,  while  our  bus- 
iness has  been  conducted  in  moderation  and  christian  love.  The 
subject  on  which  we  address  you  this  year  is  the  foundation  on 
which  christians  can  be  agreed. 

The  word  christian  properiy  implies  one  who,  by  the  gracious 
and  almighty  act  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  is  actually  separated  from  the 
world  by  effectual  calling  which  is  sovereign,  unconditional,  partic- 
ular and  immutable,  in  consequence  of  which  he  is  redeemed  and 
everlastingly  saved  by  Jesus  Christ.  (John  xv.  19  ;  Eph.  i.  4  ;  Thess. 
ii.  13.)  He  is  under  solemn  obligations  to  walk  in  all  the  commands 
of  the  Lord,  and  in  so  doing  is  entitled  to  all  the  privileges  of  the 
church  of  Christ.  The  latter  is  for  him  alone,  and  the  former  bind- 
ing upon  him  and  no  other  character  whatever.  (Matt,  xi,  29  ;  John 
x.  4.)  Any  acting  contrary  to  this  must  be  guilty  of  a  most  egregious 
error  ;  must  fly  in  the  face  of  authority,  and  give  that  which  is  holy 
unto  the  dogs,  which  our  Lord  has  strictly  forbidden.  (Matt.  vii.  6.) 
There  is  one  Lord  who  is  our  Creator,  preserver,  and  Saviour  ;  one 
faith  which  is  the  gift  of  God,  that  purines  the  heart  and  works  by 
love.  (Eph.  iv.  5  ;  Gal.  v.  6 ;)  and  one  baptism  which  is  an  ordinance 
of  the  New  Testament,  instituted  by  Jesus  Christ,  whereby  a  pro- 
fessed believer  in  Christ  is  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  immersed  in  and  covered  with  water ; 
and  then  raised  up  out  of  it  as  a  sign  of  his  fellowship  with  Christ— 
in  His  death,  burial  and  resurrection,  and  a  sign  of  His  own  death 
to  sin  and  resurrection  to  newness  of  life  here,  and  to  life  eternal 
hereafter.  (Rom.  vi.  3,  4,  5  ;  Col.  ii   12.) 

Christ  cannot  be  divided — genuine  faith  is  not  divided.  And 
this  sacred  ordinance  of  believers — baptism  by  immersion — is  not, 
cannot  be  divided  ;  therefore  this  is  the  only  foundation  on  which 
christians  can  be  agreed.    Many  have  been  and  all  should  be. 

Objection  by  question  1st,  cannot  the  Anti-Pedo-Baptists  and 
Pedo-Baptists  come  together,  be  agreed,  and  have  a  general  union 
on  some  other  foundation  ? 

Answer.— We  cannot ;  for  all  other  foundations,  when  compared 
with  the  above  named,  dwindle  into  nothing — are  only  tradition,  or 
the  commandments  of  men  ;  therefore  are  not  permanent. 

Question  2nd,  can  we  not  come  together,  be  agreed,  and  have  a 
general  union,  and  say  nothing  about  our  foundation  ? 

Answer. — We  can  not ;  it  would  only  be  a  pretended  union  / 
for  how  shall  two  walk  together  except  they  be  agreed?  Amos  iii.  3. 

Question  3d,  can  you  not  bend  a  little,  so  that  we  can  be  agreed  ? 
for  would  it  not  be  most  to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  prosperity  of 
Zion  for  us  all  to  unite  together? 

Answer. — We  can  not  bend  little  or  much  ;  we  can  not  go  beyond 
the  Word  of  the  Lord,  or  depart  from  His  commandments— because 
we  love  Him.     "For  we  are  not  as  many  which  corrupt  the  word  of 
t 


412  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

God,  but  have  renounced  the  hidden  things  of  dishonesty— not  walk- 
ing in  craftiness,  nor  handling  the  word  of  God  deceitfully."  (2  Cor. 
ii.  17.  iv.  2. )  If  the  Lord  designs  that  all  christians  shall  be  agreed, 
and  a  general  union  take  piece,  He  will  affect  it  upon  the  foundation 
that  standeth  sure,  and  undoubtedly  it  will  be  most  to  His  glory 
and  the  prosperity  of  Zion  ;  and  we  say  Lord,  hasten  the  time.  But 
if  it  tarry  we  must  wait  for  it. 

Question  4th,  can  we  not  be  agreed  and  come  together  upon  this: 
— think  and  let  think? 

Answer. — Impossible  ;  for  there  is  no  agreement  or  union  in  this 
phrase  at  all ;  for  instance,  one  may  say  I  think  there  is  no  God, 
angel  or  spirit.  I  think,  says  another,  there  are  ten  thousand  Gods. 
Another,  I  think  all  mankind  will  be  saved.  Another,  I  think 
there  are  no  future  rewards  or  punishments.  Another,  I  think  all 
mankind  will  be  saved.  Another,  I  think  there  is  no  resurrection 
of  the  dead.  Another,  I  think  Mahomet  was  greater  and  better 
than  Jesus  Christ.  Another,  I  thins  the  Pope  is  greater  than  Ma- 
homet. Another,  I  think  David  Durrow  or  Ann  Lee  is  greater  than 
either.  Thus  it  is  evident  that  "think  and  let  think"  will  admit 
that  Paganism,  Atheism,  Deism,  Universalism,  Mahometanism, 
Roman  Catholicism,  and  Shakerism  all  stand  upon  an  equal  footing 
with  the  Christian  religion,  which  we  dare  not  admit. 

Question  5th  :  but  leaving  all  these  as  heretics,  and  coming 
among  ourselves,  who  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of  God, 
and  that  the  Christian  religion  is  the  only  religion  that  can  make 
men  happy 'here  or  hereafter?  we  contend  that  we  can  come  together 
on  this,  to  think  and  let  think. 

Answer. — In  confessing  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of  God,  we 
do  acknowledge  four  important  things.  First,  that  there  are  chris- 
tians ;  secondly,  that  there  are  certain  examples,  precepts  and  ordi- 
nances in  the  Gospel ;  thirdly,  that  those  christians  should  strictly 
adhere  to  them  ;  and  fourthly,  that  if  they  do  not,  they  are  guilty  of 
an  error  in  leaving  undone  the  things  they  should  have  done. 

It  is  not  a  supposition — or  I  think  with  us— but  is  absolutely  re- 
duced to  a  certainty,  and  we  know.  Therefore  "think  and  let  think" 
can  not  have  a  place  amongst  us.  It  is  time  it  was  buried  forever, 
for  it  not  only  admits  of  heresy,  folly  and  sin,  but  will  do  away  the 
commandments  of  God,  and  is  not  able  to  justify  us  in  His  sight. 

But  further,  we  know  that  christians  are  saved  by  grace  through 
faith,  and  that  not  of  themselves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God.  (Eph.  ii.  8, 
9.)  We  think  that  all  men  have  light  and  power  sufficient  given 
them,  if  they  will  improve  it,  to  bring  them  to  Jesus  Christ.  We 
know  that  every  soul  that  receives  a  pardon  of  sin,  through  the 
atoning  merits  of  Christ,  shall  be  saved  with  an  everlasting  salva- 
tion. (Isa.  xiv.  17  ;  John  x,  27,  28,  29  ;  1  Peter  i.  3,  -4,  -3.)  We  think 
the  child  of  God  may  apostatize,  and  be  forever  lost.  We  know  that 
believers  are  the  only  subjects  of  baptism.  (Matt,  xxviii.  Ii) ;  Mark 
xvi.  16;  Acts  ii.  38,  41;  viii.  12  ;  ix.  18;  xvi.  15,  33;  xviii.  8.)  We 
think  penitents  and  infants  are  subjects  of  baptism. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  413 

"We  know  immersion  is  the  only  mode  of  baptism.  (Matt.  iii.TB; 
-John  iii.  23;  Acts  viii.  36,  38,  39 ;  Rom.  vi.  8,  4,  5  ;  Col.  ii.  12.)  We 
■think  pouring  or  sprinkling  is  the  only  mode  of  baptism,  but  rather 
than  lose  a  member,  we  would  immerse  him,  for  we  think  we  might 
act  upon  his  faith. 

We  know  "whatsoever  is  not  of  faith  is  sin."  (Rom.  xiv.  23.) 
And  we  know  that  none  has  aright  to  come  to  the  communion  table 
but  orderly,  regularly  baptized  believers.  (Ex.  xii.  43-49  ;  Num.  xviii. 
11 ;  Matt.  xxvi.  26-29  ;  1  Cor.  v.  11 ;  x.  7,  14-21.)  We  think  all  may 
■come  to  the  table  that  will. 

Thus  we  see  that  ''think  and  let  think"  will  not  do  for  a  foun- 
dation. And  know  and  think  are  very  far  from  being  agreed,  then 
all  must  know,  and  all  comply,  and  all  will  be  agreed.  Then 
this  great  and  sweet  union  will  take  place  upon  the  right  foundation. 

Question  6th.  As  we  all  profess  to  believe  in  Jesus  Christ,  can 
we  not  be  agreed  by  laying  aside  all  our  non-essentials  f 

Answer. — If  you  have  non-essentials,  you  are  at  liberty  to  lay 
them  aside.  We  humbly  request  you  to  do  so  ;  but  we  have  not 
■any  non-essentials,  A  firm  belief  in  Jesus  Christ  is  essential  to  sal- 
vation. '  And  all  the  examples,  precepts  and  ordinances  of  the  bless- 
ed Gospel  is  essential  to  the  peace,  happiness,  love,  joy,  honor,  glory, 
adorning,  beautifying,  and  prosperity  of  the  Church  of  Christ. 
Therefore  we  cannot — wTe  dare  not  lay  them  aside. 

Question  7th.  Have  we  not  as  good  aright  to  our  opinion  and 
helief  as  you  have  for  yours? 

Answer. — There  is  as  great  a  necessity  for  you  to  believe  right  as 
for  us  ;  and  if  your  opinion  and  belief  is  really  congenial  with  the 
Scripture,  you  have  as  good  a  right,  and  we  should  be  no  more 
twain,  but  one.  But  if  it  is  not,  you  have  not  as  good  a  right;  and 
for  us  to  say  you  have,  would  be  giving  up  the  point,  which  we  dare 
not  do.  (Judei.  3. )  And  between  us  we  should  thereby  make  the 
plain  written  word  as  an  old  enigma  put  forth,  and  everybody  left 
to  guess  at  the  meaning. 

Question  8th.  Are  you  not  a  very  narrow-hearted  and  bigoted 
sect?  Do  you  not  assume  to  yourselves  infallibility  and  unchristian 
all  other  denominations  ?  . 

Answer. — Our  hearts  and  the  doors  of  our  churches  are  as  wide 
as  the  door  of  mercy,  and  we  pity  those  whose  hearts  and  doors  are 
wider.  We  are  much  attached  to  the  commands  of  God  and  our 
sacred  profession.  We  are  not  blindly  zealous,  but  by  the  light  of 
Divine  Truth  we  stick  to  the  commands  to  a  punctilio,  and  find  rest 
to  our  souls.  And  if  we  are  condemned  for  doing  right,  so  was  our 
Lord  and  Master,  and  we  are  not  greater  than  He.  We  do  not 
assume  infallibility;  as  mortals  we  are  fallible,  but  tbe  God  we  wor- 
ship and  obey  is  infallible.  His  Gospel,  commands,  example,  pre- 
cepts and  ordinances  are  all  infallible.  This  is  the  old  way— this  is 
the  good  and  right  way.  This  is  the  foundation  on  which  christians 
can  be  agreed.  Do  not  censure  us  for  continuing  therein,  but  come, 
O  do  come,  and  walk  with  us,  and  let  us  rejoice  together,  and  feel  "a 


4U  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

heavenly  union."  We  do  not  unchristian  all  others,  but  do  believe> 
there  are  many  precious  christians  of  other  denominations,  but  they 
are  undutiful — yet  we  love  them,  and  wish  them  to  do  well.  There- 
fore we  are  waiting  with  open  doors,  hearts  and  hands  to  receive- 
you.  God  commands  you— Jesus  invites  you — we  are  looking  for 
you — you  may  come — you  can  come — you  ought  to  come— do  pray 
come,  and  let  us  be  agreed  upon  this  precious  living  foundation,. 
Jesus  Christ,  His  doctrine,  and  holy  Gospel  ordinances.  This  is  the 
only  foundation  on  which  christians  can  be  sweetly  and  lastingly 
agreed.  Therefore,  we  again  say,  come !  Behold !  how  good  and 
how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity. 

JSTow  to  the  God  who  is  able  to  bring  and  establish  all  christians, 
upon  this  foundation,  and  give  us  sweetest  union,  be  honor  and 
glory  forever.     Amen.  Berryman  Hicks. 

October  13th,  1820. 


CIRCULAR  LETTER. 

The  Broad  Hive)'  Baptist  Association  to  the  Churches  in  union  Greet- 
ing : 

Beloved  Brethren: — According  to  a  resolve  of  last  year,  we 
address  you  on  "The  design  of  Circumcision,  and  the  difference  be- 
tween that  and  Baptism.1'' 

In  doing  this,  we  will  first  speak  of  the  act  of  circumcision  ;  sec- 
ondly, show  the  design;  thirdly,  speak  of  the  act  of  baptism,  and 
fourthly,  show  the  difference. 

1.  On  the  eighth  day  from  the  birth,  whatever  day  of  the  week 
that  was,  the  Jews  invariably  performed  the  rite  of  circumcision. 
Three  stools  were  set  in  the  house,  or  sometimes  in  the  synagogues, 
one  for  the  person  who  held  the  child;  one  for  the  operator  or  cutter 
off;  and  for  Elias,  who  was  supposed  to  be  spiritually  present  as 
a  zealous  defender  of  the  divine  law.  The  attendance  were  gener- 
ally ten  in  number,  some  of  which  carried  torches  of  twelves  wicks 
to  represent  the  twelve  tribes  of  Israel,  and  others  a  knife  for  the 
operation,  a  cup  of  red  wiue  to  act  a  styptic,  a  basin  of  sand  into 
which  to  throw  the  foreskin,  a  basin  of  olive  oil  to  anoint  the  part, 
and  towel  and  water.  When  everything  was  ready,  the  female  em- 
ployed by  the  mother,  brought  the  child  to  the  door  of  the  apart- 
ment or  synagogue,  and  gave  it  to  the  one  appointed  to  hold  it 
during  the  operation,  who  on  entering  was  hailed  by  the  company 
in  the  following  words:  "Blessed  be  he  who  comes."  When  the 
operation  was  finished,  the  operator  having  washed,  received  a  cup 
of  wine  consecrated  with  the  usual  benediction,  and  added  for  the 
child  the  following  prayer:  <-0  Lord  our  God,  the  God  of  our 
lathers  strengthen  this  child,  and  preserve  him  to  his  parents.  May 
his  name  be  among  the  people  of  Israel. — Brownfi  Aniiquties. 

2-  "And  God  said  unto  Abraham,  thou  shall  keep  my  covenant, 
therefore,  tbou,  and  thy  seed  alter  thee,  in  their  generations.  This 
is  my  covenant,  which  ye  shall  keep  between  me  and  you,  and 
thy  seed  after  thee  ;  every  manchild  among  you  shall  be  circumcised. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  41  o 

And  ye  shall  circumcise  the  flesh  of  your  foreskin,  and  it  shall  be  a 
token  of  the  covenant  betwixt  me  and  you. 

And  he  that  is  eight  days  old  shall  be  circumcised  among  you 
•every  manchild  in  your  generations;  he  that  is  born  in  the  house  or 
•bought  with  money  of  any  stranger,  which  is  not  of  thy  seed.  He 
that  is  born  in  thy  house,  and  he  that  is  bought  with  thy  money, 
must  needs  be  circumcised/  and  my  covenat  shall  be  in  your  flesh 
for  an  everlasting  covenant.  And  the  un circumcised  manchild, 
whose  flesh  of  his  foreskin  is  not  circumcised,  that  soul  shall  be  cut 
off  from  his  people  ;  he  hath  broken  my  covenant. 

And  Abraham  took  Ishmael  his  son,  and  all  that  were  born  in 
his  house,  and  all  that  were  bought  with  his  money,  every  male 
among  the  men  of  Abraham's  house,  and  circumcised  the  flesh  of 
their  foreskin  in  the  selfsame  day,  as  God  had  said  uuto  him."  Gen, 
xvii. 

Hence,  if  we  can  understand  two  plain  verses  of  the  Bible  in  the 
above  named  chapter,  i.  e.,  10,  and  11,  we  may  understand  what  the 
covenant  of  circumcision  is.  In  these  two  verses  we  have  the  same 
thing  mentioned  four  times  in  different  words  :  flrst,  God  says,  this 
is  my  covenant:  secondly,  he  tells  what  it  is,  every  Ujanchild  among 
you  shall  be  circumcised: thirdly,  God  informs  how  this  covenant  is 
to  be  kept, ye  shall  circumcise  the  flesh  of  your  foreskin  fourthly,  God 
informs  us  what  is  thedesign  or  useof  thiscovenantofcircumcision.  It 
shall  be  atoken  of  the  covenant  betwixt  Him  and  Abraham.  This  cov- 
enant of  circumcision,  is  not,  nor  cannot  be  the  covenant  of  grace  or 
promise,as  some  have  boldly  asserted.  The  first  covenantor  covenant 
of  grace  or  promise  was  repeatedly  mentioned  and  confirmed  by  tne 
promises  of  God  to  Abraham  from  twelve  to  ' fourteen  years  before 
the  second  covenant  or  covenant  of  circumscision  was  once  brought 
to  his  view. — Gen.  xiii.  3. 

The  covenant  of  grace  is  what  God  agrees,  if  we  may  so  say,  or 
covenants,  or  promises  to  do  for  Abraham,  his  posterity,  and  for  the 
family  of  mankind,  or  that  which  God  hath  promised  to  do  for  the 
human  family  is  the  visible  part  of  the  covenant  of  grace,  as  it  re- 
spects the  good  of  man. 

The  covenant  of  circumcision  is  what  God  required  Abraham  to 
agree  to  and  to  practice. 

By  confounding  these  two  covenants  together,  we  should  con- 
found ourselves,  our  readers  and  hearers,  and  might  reduce  to  prac- 
tice some  error  having  no  foundation  in  the  word  of  God,  and  He 
might  well  say  unto  us  on  a  certain  day  :  Who  hath  required  this 
at  your  hands?  Circumcision  was  a  positive  command  of  God  and 
was  by  no  means  transmutable,  or  liable  to  change  to  somethhigelse. 
Had  any  person  have  tried  it,  it  would  have  been  tantamount  to  de- 
ferring of  the  rite,  which  would  have  been  at  the  peril  of  being  cut 
off  from  among  the  people.  Circumcision  was  designed  as  a  distin- 
guishing rite  to  the  Jews,  to  separate  them  from  all  other  nations, 
and  give  them  a  happy  possession  in  the  promised  land.  It  was  de- 
signed to  bring  them  into  actual  obedience  to  the  observance  of  all 


416  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

the  Temple  worship,  and  they  became  debtors  to  do  the  whole  law,, 
moral,  ceremonial  and  judicial.  It  was  designed  as  a  prerequisite,, 
to  come  to  the  feast  of  the  paschal  lamb  or  passover.  All  the  con- 
gregation of  Israel  shall  keep  it.  And  when  a  stranger  shall 
sojourn  with  thee,  and  will  keep  the  passover  to  the  Lord,  let  all  his 
males  be  circumcised,  and  then  let  him  come  near  and  keep  it ;  and 
he  shall  be  as  one  that  is  born  in  the  land  ;  for  no  uncireumcised 
person  shall  eat  thereof.  One  law  shall  be  to  him  that  is  h-ome-born, 
and  unto  the  stranger  that  sojourneth  among  you.  (Ex.  xii.  47-49,) 
Circumcision  being  designed  as  above,  it  continued  in  force,  answer- 
iug  in  its  place  the  purpose  of  God,  until  the  accomplishment  of  the 
Jewish  economy,  when  it  ceased  forever — standing  all  its  appointed 
time,  only  now  as  a  figure,  pointing  to  the  great  and  spiritual  work, 
of  regeneration  by  grace  in  the  soul  of  man,  under  the  gospel  dispen- 
sation, down  to  the  end  of  time.  "For  by  grace  ye  are  saved  through 
faith;  and  that  not  of  yourselves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God,  Not  of  works, 
lest  auy  man  should  boast.  For  we  are  his  workmanship,  created  in> 
Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works,  which  God  hath  before  ordained  that 
we  should  walk  in  them.  Wherefore  remember  that  ye  being  in 
time  past  Gentiles  in  the  flesh,  who  are  called  uncircumcision  by 
that  which  is  called  the  circumcision  in  the  flesh  made  by  hands  ; 
that  at  that  time  ye  were  without  Christ,  being  aliens  from  the 
commonwealth  of  Israel  and  strangers  from  the  covenants  of  prom- 
is-,  having  no  hope  and  without  God  in  the  world."  But  now  in 
Christ  Jesus,  ye  who  sometimes  were  afar  off' are  made  nigh  by  the 
blood  of  Christ.  For  He  is  our  peace,  wrho  hath  made  both  one,  and 
hath  broken  down  the  middle  wall  of  partition  between  us,  having 
abolished  in  His  flesh  the  enmity,  even  the  law  of  commandments 
contained  in  ordinances;  for  to  make  in  Himself  of  twain  one  new- 
man,  so  making  peace,  and  that  He  might^reconcile  both  unto  God 
iu  one  body  by  the  cross,  having  slain  the  enmity  thereby.  And  ye 
are  complete  in  Him,  which  is  the  head  of  all  principalities  and 
powers;  in  whom  also  ye  are  circumcised  with  the  circumcision 
made  without  hands,  in  putting  off"  the  body  of  the  sins  of  the  flesh 
by  the  circumcision  of  Christ ;  and  you  being  dead  in  your  sins,  and 
the  uncircumeisiou  of  your  flesh,  hath  He  quickened  together  with 
Him,  having  forgiven  yooall  trespasses,  &c.  (Eph.  ii.  8-16;  Col.  ii. 
31- 13.)  For  he  is  not  a  Jew  which  is  one  inwardly,  and  circumcis- 
ion is  that  of  the  heart— in  the  spirit,  and  not  in  the  letter — whose 
praise  is  not  of  men  but  of  God.  [Rom.  ii.  28,  2y,] 

Thirdly.  The  church  sitting  in  union,  a  person  comes  forward, 
gives  a  public  declaration  of  a  blessed  wTork  of  grace  in  the  soul, 
translating  him  from  the  kingdom  of  darkness  into  the  kingdom  of 
God's  dear  Son.  The  declaration  being  satisfactory,  he  is  received 
by  the  right  hand  of  fellowship, — a  regular  ordained  preacher  of  the 
Gospel  being  pastor  or  supply  of  the  church,  on  the  responsibility  of 
the  Word  of  God  and  the  church,  goes  with  the  person  down  into 
the  water,  and  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  im-  • 
merses  him  in  and  covers  him  over  with  water— raises  him  up  and 


\ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  417 

cometh  straightway  out  of  the  water.  Thus  it  is  that  baptism  is  im- 
mersion, and  nothing  else,  and  immersion  is  baptism  and  nothing 
else.  Let  us  not  say  in  future,  "baptism  by  immersion,"  for  it  is 
equal  to  saying  "baptism  by  baptism,"  or  immersion  by  baptism, 
which  would  be  superfluous ;  and,  in  fact,  it  would  be  conceding 
the  point  to  an  opponent  of  our  divine  and  very  sacred  ordinance. 
Baptism  is  the  door  in  the  Gospel  church,  regeneration  is  a  prerequi- 
site! to  fellowship,  and  fellowship  to  baptism,  which  is  an  ordinance 
of  the  Gospel — acting  in  the  church,  and  not  out  of  it.  This  being 
the  case,  the  preacher  could  not  act  alone  in  the  reception  <>f  mem- 
bers; neither  could  the  church  without  a  preacher  administer  the 
ordinance  of  baptism.  Therefore  they  act  in  unison,  It  would  be 
passing  strange  for  a  preacher,  in  a  Gospel  land  abounding  with 
churches,  alone  to  receive  and  baptize  persons. 

Fourthly.  Circumcision  belonged  to  the  law  dispensation. 

Baptism  belongs  to  the  Gospel  dispensation.  Circumcision  was 
first  performed  by  Abraham.  Baptism  was  first  administered  by 
John  the  Baptist.  Circumcision  acted  indiscriminately  upon  all 
the  Jewish  males,  whether  saints  or  sinners.  Baptism  acts  discrim- 
inately— selecting  those  and  only  those  who  are  regenerated  and 
born  again,  whether  male  or  female.  Circumcision  was  expressly 
limited  to  males.  Females,  although  descended  from  the  same  pa- 
rents, were  not  subjects  of  the  token  of  that  covenant,  but  the  bap- 
tismal institution  includes  both  men  and  women.  Circumcision 
might  be  lawfully  administered  by  any  person — at  least  any  head 
of  a  family,  whether  male  or  female,  for  it  is  only  a  babe.  Baptism 
is  to  be  administered  by  particular  officers  in  the  christian  church, 
called  of  God,  and  qualified  for  the  work. 

Circumcision  certainly  came  in  its  own  place,  and  acts  inde- 
pendently for  itself.  Baptism  came  in  its  own  place  and  also  acts 
independently  under  the  Gospel  dispensation  for  itself.  Hence  it 
is  that  baptism  did  not  come  in  the  place  of  circumcision  ;  for  the 
rite  itself  is  so  very  unlike  the  Gospel  institute  that  it  appears  ex- 
tremely unnatural  to  infer  one  from  the  other.  Circumcision  was 
a  painful,  bloody  rite,  cutting  off  the  flesh.  &c.  But  baptism  is.  an 
immersion,  or  washing  the  whole  body  in  water. 

Other  dissimilarities  might  be  urged,  but  these  are  thought  suf- 
ficient to  show  that  it  is  not  the  easiest  thing  in  the  wTorld  to  infer 
baptism  from  circumcision,  It  certainly  requires  a  large  stock  of 
mystical  Jesuitical  ingenuity  to  make  an  inference  appear  plausible, 
where  the  nature,  act  and  design  are  so  different.  If  baptism  came 
in  the  room  of  circumcision,  in  the  manner  argued  by  some,  what  a 
pity  it  is  the  Apostle  had  not  known  it!  How  conciliatory  it  would 
have  been  to  those  who  were  tenacious  of  Mosaic  rites  lor  the  Apos- 
tles to  have  told  them — do  not  be  uneasy,  men  and  brethren,  about 
circumcision,  for  baptism  is  in  the  room  of  it ;  and  moreover,  as  the 
keys  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven  are  given  to  us,  we  have  it  in  com- 
mission to  tell  you  that  female  infants  are  now  added  to  the  old 
account. 

53 


418  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

The  best  argument  that  we  have  ever  seen,  either  for  infant 
baptism  or  infant  sprinkling,  is  that  the  Catholic  Church  is  infalli- 
ble, and  has  decreed  that  it  shall  be  done.  This  is  worth  just  what 
it  is,  and  may  answer  with  some  minds  to  sustain  a  trembling  cause, 
but  christians  had  better  imitate  the  example  of  Christ  and  His 
Apostles,  "and  go  down  into  the  water." 

If  baptism  came  in  the  place  of  circumcision,  it  is  rational  to  in- 
fer that  it  acts  with  the  same  force ;  consequently,  every  parent 
[especially  believing  ones]  should  either  baptize  or  sprinkle  their 
children,  their  servants  that  are  bought  with  their  money,  and  all 
that  are  born  in  their  houses — let  there  be  five,  fifty,  five  hundred, 
or  five  thousand.  Upon  the  same  principles,  to  be  consistent  with 
themselves,  they  would  be  down-right  papists,  and  baptize  the  sub- 
jects of  a  mighty  Prince,  because  he  embraced  the  faith.  If  this 
principle  be  a  Gospel  one,  it  will  bear  examination,  and  not  be  the 
worse  from  being  practiced  to  perfection  If  it  be  absurd  when 
practiced  thoroughly,  it  is  not  the  less  so  when  practiced  smally. 
The  only  difference  is,  the  absurdity  does  not  appear-  so  glaring. 

As  we  do  deny  the  right  of  baptism  to  babes  from  the  Abrahamic 
covenant,  we  are  charged  with  discarding  the  idea  of  infant  salva- 
tion. This  we  deny.  We  conscientiously  hope  and  believe  that,  as 
Jesus  took  babes  into  His  arms  and  blessed  them,  that  all  that  die 
in  that  situation,  receive  an  application  of  His  atoning  merits,  and 
are  saved  with  an  everlasting  salvation. 

In  conclusion,  we  say  that  the  difference  between  circumcision 
and  baptism  is  like  unto  that  of  debt  and  credit.  The  former  in- 
volves men  in  a  state  of  bankruptcy  ;  the  latter  is  liberty.  The  an- 
swer of  a  good  conscience,  and  the  participant  will  hear  the  Master 
say,  "Well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant." 

We  have  had  a  pleasant  and  favored  session  of  the  Association. 
We  desire  to  thank  God  for  the  union,  harmony  and  brotherly  love 
with  which  the  business  of  the  body  has  been  transacted.  We  now 
come  to  a  close.  May  God  Almighty  bless  you.  May  He  bless  this, 
our  epistle  of  love ;  and  may  the  Truth  shine,  God's  name  be  glori- 
fied, and  souls  edified  and  established,  is  the  prayer  of  yours  in  Gos- 
pel bonds.  Berryman  Hicks. 
October  20th,  1834. 


Hill,  Elder  Wade  was  born  in  the  county  of  Ruther- 
ford, N.  C,  on  the  21st  July,  1813.  His  parents  were  unable 
to  give  him  the  advantages  ot'an  early  education,  so  that  the 
high  character  he  acquired  as  a  preacher  was  due,  under 
God,  to  his  deep  piety,  sound  sense,  and  unceasing  efforts  to 
educate  himself  in  the  work  to  which  he  was  called.  He 
was  married  in  August,  1834,  to  Miss  Temperance  Ledbetter, 
and  in  April,  1837,  he  was  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of 
the  church.  Immediately  after  his  baptism,  he  furnished  the 
strongest  evidences  of  a  diviue  call  to  the   ministry,  and  just 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  419 

t 

one  month  from  the  day  of  his  baptism  he  preached  his  first 
sermon.  He  had  often  been  heard  to  say  that  he  never 
thought  of  there  being  any  necessity  for  his  obtaining  a  li- 
cense  from  a  church  to  preach,  until  after  be  entered  upon 
his  work.  He  "conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood,"  but 
consulted  only  the  Master  of  the  vineyard,  and  at  His  bid- 
ding he  went.  In  April  1889,  Elder  Hill  was  ordained,  and 
from  that  time  until  now  his  name  has  been  a  household 
word  amongst  the  Baptist  of  this  entire  section  of  the  State. 
As  a  preacher,  he  had  but  few  equals.  He  was  always  sound 
in  doctrine,  and  his  sermons  were  specially  noticeable  for 
their  deep  solemnity,  and  the  earnestness  with  which  they 
were  delivered.  The  hearts  of  his  hearers  were  moved  by 
his  tender  and  earnest  persuasiveness,  while  their  minus 
were  enlightened  bv  his  clear  logic.  There  are  hundreds  of 
men  and  women  throughout  this  country  who  can  remember 
the  greater  part  of  many  of  his  sermons;  so  impressive  was 
his  style.  While  he  was  a  man  of  strong  will,  and  of  re- 
markable firmness,  when  he  came  to  talk  for  his  Master,  it 
was  with  eyes  overflowing,  and  with  words  of  impassioned 
tenderness., 

As  a  preacher  his  loss  will  be  greatly  felt  in  the  King's 
Mountain  and  Green  River  Associations.  JSTot  only  was  he 
a  great  preacher,  but  his  heart  was  strongly  enlisted  in  all 
the  benevolent  works  of  our  Convention  and  Associations. 
As  a  man  and  citizen,  he  was  upright  in  his  conduct,  and  his 
religion  was  his  guide.  As  a  christian  he  possessed  strong 
faith,  and  in  fact,  his  entire  life  and  teachings  go  to  furnish 
conclusive  proof  of  his  true  and  genuine  Christianity.  As  a 
husband  and  father,  none  can  ever  know  his  worth  save  the 
bereft  widow  and  children,  whose  hearts  are  made  desolate 
by  his  death. 

His  work  is  done  (and  who  can  say  that  it  is  not  well 
done?)  and  on  the  first  day  of  December  last  (1878),  Elder 
Wade  Hill  went  to  his  reward. — Min.  Green  River  Asso. 

Elder  Wade  Hill  appeared  first  in  the  session  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  at  its  session  of  1839,  at  Green  River 
church,  being  then  a  messenger  from  the  Catawba  River 
body,  where  he  preached  very  acceptably.  He  did  not  fully 
identify  himself  as  a  member  of  the  Broad  River  Association 
until  the  year  1843.  And  at  that  session  of  the  body  he  was 
appointed  to  preach  the  introductory  sermon  for  1844.  He 
located  himself  within  the  bounds  of  the  Broad  River  Assso-. 
ciation  about  this  time,  and  continued  to  be  an  active  and 
distinguished  member  thereof  until  in  1873  he,  with  the  Ca- 
pernaum church  to  which  he  belonged,  joined  the  King's 
Mountain  Association.     In   1876,  he  moved  to  Rutherford, 


420  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

his  native  county,  and  at  once  identified  himself  with  the 
Green  River  Association.  As  above  stated  he  died  in  1878, 
and  at  the  session  of  the  King's  Mountain  bocly,  in  1879, 
the  following  tribute  of  respect  to  his  memory  was  adopted, 
and  ordered  to  be  published  in  the  minutes  of  the  session: 

"That  in  the  great  calamity  that  has  befallen  our  denomination, 
in  the  death  of  Elder  Wade  Hill.  we.  as  a  denomination,  sustain  an 
exceedingly  great  loss.  His  noble-hearted  spirit,  firmness,  express- 
ions of  love,  and  clear  manner  of  presenting  the  Gospel  of  Christ  to 
bis  hearers  made  many  warm  friends  for  him,  and  gave  him  a 
name  that  will  live  among  us  for  years  to  come,  although  he  has 
gone  to  his  reward.  "Blessed  are  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord  from, 
henceforth,"  "yea,"  saith  the  Spirit,  "that  they  may  rest  from  their 
labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 

notwithstanding  all  his  faithful  efforts  and  labors  for  the 
good  ot  souls  and  his  Master's  cause,  which  so  often  weariep 
and  fatigued  his  body  and  mind,  he  is  now  resting  from  his 
laborious  task  upon -earth,  and  O!  how  sweet  is  that  rest! 
while  his  works  of  righteousness  will  continue  to  follow  him. 
His  earnest,  clear,  instructive  and  pathetical  manner  of  pre- 
senting the  gospel  to  his  hearers  was  so  convincing  and  per- 
suasive that  it  seldom  failed  to  make  an  impression  upon  his 
hearers,  that  proved  a  blessing  of  food  for  christian  souls  and 
almost  always  carried  an  awakening  influence  to  the 
minds  of  sinners.  He  always  thought  before  speaking,  and 
always  drew  his  conclusions  upon  the  authority  of  God's 
Word,  and  would  always  speak  the  truth  in  soberness,  and 
never  feared  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God.  He  ac- 
complished a  great  work  in  the  Broad  River,  King's  Moun- 
tain and  Green  River  Associations,  and  had  been  a  member 
of  all  these  bodies,  but  was  a  member  of  the  Green  River  at 
the  time  of  his  death.  All  these  bodies  no  doubt  feel  the 
mighty  afflicting  hand  of  God  in  his  death.  He  was  such  a 
strong  arm  for  young  ministers  to  lean  upon,  and  souch  a 
fountain  of  counsel  to  the  churches  and  other  religious  bod- 
ies, and  yet  we  are  compelled  to  do  without  him.  He  was  a 
burning  and  shining  light  that  is  worthy  of  imitation  by  us 
all.  His  usefulness  in  his  influential  work  that  is  following 
him  we  hope  will  accomplish  much  among  us  for  good  al- 
though his  body  sleeps  and  his  soul  rests.  He  was  a  Corres- 
ponding Messenger  to  our  body  last  year.  We  feel  that  we 
cannot  speak  of  him  as  he  justly    deserves. 

ftcsolved,  1.  That  we  deeply  sympathize  with  the  bereaved  fam- 
ily, who  have  sustained  the  loss  of  such  a  husband  and  father. 

Mesolved,  2.  That  we   sympathize  with   our  sister,   the  Green 
River  Association,  in  the  loss  of  such  an  excellent  minister. 

JRcsolved,  3.  That  we  pray  God  may,  in  the  abundance  of  His 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  421 

-goodness  and  plenitude  of  His  mercies,  grant  that  these  sad  afflic- 
tions may  work  out  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight 
of  glory. 

Personal  Appearance. — Elder  Hill  was  above  the  ordi- 
nary size  of  man,  and  was  upward  of  six  feet  in  height,  of 
heavy  build,  inclining  somewhat  to  corpulency;  weight,  up- 
wards of  two  hundred  pounds,  dark  hair  and  eyes,  promi- 
nent and  rather  bald  forehead;  of  commanding  and  dignified 
aspect,  so  much  so,  that  a  stranger  coming  into  his  presence 
would  intuitively  feel  that  he  was  before  a  great  and  good 
man,  and,  therefore,  feel  restrained  from  committing  any 
rash  or  imprudent  act  in  his  presence.  His  entire  make  up 
.presented  him  as  one  of  finest  looking  men  to  be  seen  any 
where. 

He  was  thought  by  some  to  be  an  extremist  on  the 
subject  of  temperance,  as  he  would  have  nothing  to  do  with 
ardent  spirits  in  any  shape  or  form,  and  he  was  not  only  pas- 
sive, but  very  active  in  his  opposition  to  the  baneful  effects 
of  spirits,  and  availed  himself  of  every  convenient  opportu- 
nity to  strike  a  blow  at  the  hideous  monster,  which  often 
provoked  the  ire  of  the  cohorts  of  the  alcoholic  prince  so 
much  that  many  tried  to  throw  dirt  and  filth  at  him,  which 
only  proved  that  he  stood  as  a  polished,  marble  shaft,  im- 
pervious to  such  miserable  stuff. 

He  was  equally  zealous  in  the  missionary  cause,  and 
having  labored  a  good  deal  as  an  Evangelist  himself,  he  saw 
more  and  more  the  wants  of  the  people  in  regard  to  the 
spread  of  the  Gospel.  He  urged  the  cause  of  missions  upon 
■the  attention  of  the  churches  and  of  the  Association,  and 
sat  a  good  example  himself  by  liberally  contributing  to  the 
work  both  of  home  and  foreign  missions.  At  the  session  of 
1846  the  circular  letter  on  Domestic  Missions,  which  was 
adopted,  was  from  his  pen,  and  is  thought  worthy  of  repro- 
duction, which  here  follows  in  this  work. 

[Elder  Hill  was  several  times  honored  by  the  body  with 
Moderatorship,  but  always  against  his  protest.] 

CIRCULAR  LETTER,    ON  THE  SUBJECT  OF  DOMESTIC  MISSIONS. 

The  Broad  River  Baptist  Association  to  the  Churches  in  Union: 

Grace  be  unto  you,  and  peace  from  God  our  Father,  and  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We  give  thanks  to  God.  dearly  beloved  breth- 
ren, that  His  Divine  Spirit  has  awakened  into  notice  among  you  a 
subject  that,  in  other  sections  of  the  country,  has  proved  so  fruitful 
in  advancing  the  cause  of  our  Redeemer's  Kingdom;  as  that  upon 
which,  by  resolution  of  last  Association,  we  are  directed  to  write 
you  this  letter  of  love  ;  i.  e.,  the  subject  of  Domestic  Missions. 

In  consideration  of  the  design  and  high  aim  of  those  who  ap- 
pointed our  theme,  we  have  proceeded  to  the  investigation  of  the 


422  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES., 

premises,  with  all  due  diligence  aud  carefulness  of  spirit,  and  now 
prayerfully  submit  to  your  christian  and  intelligent  minds  the  con- 
clusions (with  the  reasons  upon  wbicb  those  conclusions  were  found- 
ed) to  which  our  researches  after  truth  have  brought  us.  In  doing, 
this,  permit  us  in  advance  to  remind  you  that  the  true  construction 
of  the  term  mission,  so  far  as  it  relates  to  the  subject  in  debate,  is 
that  it  simply  describes  the  trust  reposed  in  per&ons  sent  to  preach, 
the  Gospel  of  the  Hon  of  God;  while  the  word  domestic  limits  in. 
its  application  the  labors  of  persons  thus  sent  to  our  own  country 
exclusively.  This  plain  view  of  the  subject,  which  is  certainly  the 
true  one,  proves  at  once  that  all  preaching  of  the  Gospel  by  per- 
sons called  of  God  and  sent  to  preach,  is  in  deid  and  spirit  mission- 
ary preaching;  although  in  character  it  may  not  be  so  regarded  by 
tbe  prevailing  opinions  of  the  world.  Assuming  then  that  our  posi- 
tion as  thus  entertained  is  correct,  which  we  think  we  shall  be  able 
clearly  to  establish,  the  only  remaining  questions  that  need  be  in- 
quired into  are,  1st :  Whether  or  not  good  may  be  expected  to  result 
from  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  of  peace  among  our  own  people  ; 
and  2nd,  whether  in  .connection  with  our  local  pastors  a  traveling 
ministry,  appointed  to  supply  destitute  regions  aud  to  effect  an  in- 
terchange of  gifts  and  graces,  is  not  best  adapted  to  accomplish  the 
great  object  of  the  ministration  of  life  to  a  lost  and  dying  world  of 
sinners. 

That  good  may  be  expected  to  result  from  the  preaching  of  the 
Gospel,  it  is  presumed  no  christian  will  pretend  to  deny;  for  the 
chiistian  mind  ever  places  too  high  an  estimate  upon  the  salvation 
of  lost  souls  ;  aud  upon  that  assurance  given  in  our  Holy  Scriptures, 
where  it  is  declared  that  it  .pleased  God,  through  tbe  preaching  of 
the  Gospel,  to  save  sinners,  not  to  be  ready  to  confess  its  unequalecl 
advantages  to  society  in  general,  and  d^  ing  souls  in  particular  ;  yes, 
verily,  the  glories  of  the  upper  world,  arrayed  in  its  radiance  of 
loveliness,  with  the  gloomy  abodes  of  the  lost,  surrounded  with  all 
their  horrors  and  gloom  have,  by  the  discoveries  of  Truth  through 
this  medium,  made  too  strong  impressions  upon  every  believing 
heart  not  to  implant  therein  a  deep  sense  of  its  great  worth  to  the 
children  of  men.  It  is  needless,  therefore,  to  trouble  you  further 
upon  our  first  division,  than  to  allude  to  it  as  occasion  may  require, 
in  the  prosecution  of  our  labors. 

How  this  Gospel  is  to  be  preached  to  accomplish  the  greatest 
amount  of  good,  conies  next  to  be  considered.  Where  shall  we  find 
directions  to  lead  our  minds  to  safe  conclusions  in  this  important  in- 
vestigation ?  Upon  making  this  inquiry  it  seems  to  us  that  all 
minds,  and  all  eyes,  and  all  hearts  ought  at  once  to  turn  to  and  be 
guided  by  the  great  Illuminator  of  the  world,  the  glorious  Son  of 
Righteousness,  the  Word  of  God.  Yes,  dear  brethren,  there  is  our 
sacred  directory,  our  unerring  index,  that  stands  ever  pointing  out 
to  u»  the  way  in  which  we  should  be  found  traveling.  By  this 
blessed  and  holy  standard  we  ought  daily  to  try  ourselves,  both  in 
spirit  and  practice,  regardless  of  the  opinions  of  men,  the  interest  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  428 

foe  world,  or  the  traditions  and  errors  of  the  Fathers.  Thus  believ- 
ing, we  proceed  to  invite  your  minds  "to  the  law  and  to  the  testi- 
anonj'" — if  you  will  allow  the  Word  of  God  to  be  the  law  of  Ziou, 
and  the  only  safe  rule  of  the  christian  faith  and  practice. 

The  first  notice  that  our  limits  will  enable  us  to  advert  to,  in 
•this  connection  of  our  subject,  is  the  practice  of  the  Savior  Himself, 
and  the  manner  in  which  He  called  and  sent  His  disciples  to  preach 
the  Gospel  to  the  Jews  before  His  resurrection  ;  for  in  fact,  this  was 
strictly  domestic  missionary  preaching,  being  confined  entirely  to 
the  Jewish  nation.  Respecting  the  missionary  labors  of  the  Savior, 
wh  need  say  but  little.  All  will  agree  that  after  He  entered  upon 
His  important  mission,  He  traveled  all  through  the  country,  declar- 
ing His  own  everlasting  Gospel,  teaching  and  instructing  the  people 
<to  turn  from  their  sins  and  unrighteousness.  Believing  that  this 
fact  will  not  be  denied,  we  refer  you  to  some  of  the  leading  features 
of  the  appointment  of  and  instructions  given  to  the  first  ministers 
of  the  Gospel  by  Christ  Himself,  where  He  says  in  reference  to  the 
twelve  disciples  [Matt  x.  5  :]  "These  twelve  Jesus  sent  forth,  and 
■commanded  them,  saying  :  go  not  into  the  way  of  the  Gentries,  aud 
into  any  city  of  the  Samaritans  enter  ye  not ;  but  go  rather  to  the 
lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel.  And  as  ye  go,  preach,  saying: 
The  Kingdom  of  Heaven  is  at  hand  [verse  9.]  Provide  neither  gold, 
nor  silver,  nor  brass  in  your  purses  ;  nor  scrip  for  your  journey, 
neither  two  coats,  neither  shoes,  nor  yet  staves  :  for  the  workman  is 
worthy  of  his  meat.  And  into  whatsoever  city  or  town  ye  shall 
enter,  inquire  who  in  it  is' worthy,  and  there  abide  till  ye  go  thence. 
And  when  ye  come  into  a  house,  salute  it.  And  if  the  house  be 
worthy,  let  your  peace  return  to  you.  And  whosoever  shall  not  re- 
ceive you,  nor  hear  your  words,  when  ye  depart  out  of  that  house  or 
city,  shake  off  the  dust  of  your  feet.  Verily  1  say  unto  you,  it  shall 
be  more  tolerable  for  the  land  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  in  the  day 
of  judgment  than  for  that  city." 

The  same  relation  is  also  recorded  (Mark  vi.  8,  and  Luke  ix.  3,) 
when  the  Savior  appointed  other  seventy  disciples.  He  sent  them 
forth  to  preach,  and  with  very  much  the  same  directions.  (See 
Luke  x.  1,)  where  He  says,  ''After  these  things  the  Lord  appointed 
other  seventy  also,  and  sent  them  two  and  two  before  His  face  into 
every  city  and  place  whither  He  Himself  would  come.  Therefore, 
said  He  unto  them,  the  harvest  truly  is  great,  but  the  laborers  are 
few  ;  pray  ye  therefore  the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  that  He  would  send 
forth  laborers  into  His  harvest.  Go  your  ways  :  behold,  I  send  you 
forth  as  lambs  among  wolves.  Carry  neither  purse,  nor  scrip,  nor 
shoes,  and  salute  no  man  by  the  way.  And  into  whatsoever  house 
ye  enter,  first  say,  Peace  be  to  this  house  [verse  7,]  and  in  the  same 
house  remain,  eating  and  drinking  such  things  as  they  give  :  for  the 
laborer  is  worthy  of  his  hire  [verse  16.]  He  thatheareth  you,  hear- 
eth  Me  ;  and  he  that  despiseth  you,  despiseth  Me  ;  and  he  that  de- 
spiseth  Me  despiseth  Him  that  sent  Me.     And  the  seventy  returned 


424  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

again  with  joy,  saying  :  "Lord,  even  the  devils  are  subject  unto  us; 
through  Thy  name."  We  now  proceed  to  lay  before  you  the  directions^ 
given  to  the  disciples  and  apostles,  with  their  practice  upon  those 
instructions,  after  the  resurrection  of  the  Savior.  [See  Matt,  xxviii. 
19.]  "Go  ye  therefore,."'  says  He,  "and  teach,  all  nations,  baptizing: 
them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost ;  teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever 
I  have  commanded  yon  :  and  lo,  I  am  with  you  always,  even  untc* 
the  ends  of  the  world,  Mark  xvi.  15.  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and 
preach  my  Gospel  to  every  creature:  he  that  believeth  and  is  bap- 
tized, shall  be  saved  ,  but  he  that  believeth  not,  shall  be  damned." 
Verse  20.  And  they  went  forth  and  preached  everywhere,  the  Lord 
working  with  them,  and  confirming  the  word.  Acts  v.  42.  And 
daily  in  the  temple,  and  in  every  house,  thej  ceased  not  to  teach 
and  preach  Jesus  Christ,"  (Acts  VI.  4.)  "But  we  will  give  ourselves 
continually  to  prayer,  and  to  the  ministry  of  the  word."  (Acts  viii. 
4.)  "They  that  were  scattered  abroad,  went  everywhere  preaching 
the  word."  And  Philip  went  down  to  the  city  of  Samaria,  and 
preached  Christ  unto  them.  Verse  14.  Now  when  the  Apostles 
which  were  at  Jerusalem  heard  that  Samaria  had  received  the  word 
of  God,  they  sent  unto  them  Peter  and  John,  &c.  Verse  40.  But 
Philip  was  found  at  Azatus,  and  passing  through,  he  preached  in  alt 
the  cities  till  he  came  to  Oesarea.  (Acts  ix.  32.)  And  it  came  to  pass 
as  Peter  passed  through  all  quarters,  he  came  down  also  to  the  saints 
which  dwelt  at  Lydda.  (Acts  xi.  20)  and  some  of  them  were  men  of 
Cyprus  and  Gyrene,  which  when  they  were  come  to  Antioch,  spake 
unto  the  Grecians,  preaching  the  Lord  Jesus.  And  the  hand  of  the 
Lord  was  with  them,  and  a  great  number  believed  and  turned  unto 
the  Lord.  Then  tidings  of  these  things  came  unto  the  ears  of  the 
church  which  was  at  Jerusalem,  and  they  sent  forth  Barnabas,  that 
he  should  go  as  far  as  Antioch,  who,  when  he  came,  and  had  seen 
the  grace  of  God,  was  glad,  and  exhorted  them  all,  that  with  pur- 
pose of  heart  they  would  cleave  unto  the  Lord.  (Acts  sJii.  2. )  "As 
they  ministered  to  the  Lord  and  fasted,  the  Holy  Ghost  said,  sepa- 
i  ate  me  Barnabas  and  Saul  for  the  work  whereunto  I  have  called 
them.  And  when  they  had  fasted  and  prayed,  and  laid  their  hands 
outturn,  they  sent  thtm  away."  (Acts  xv.  22.)  "Then  pleased  it 
the  apostles  and  elders,  with  the  whole  church,  to  send  chosen  men 
of  theirown  company  to  Antioch  with  Paul  and  Barnabas:  namely, 
Judas  surnamed  Barsabas,  and  Silas,  chief  men  among  the  brethren. 
Verse  32.  And  Judas  and  Silas  being  prophets  also  themselves,  ex- 
horted the  brethren  with  many  words  and  confirmed  them.  Verse40. 
And  Paul  chose  Silas  and  departed,  being  recommended  by  the 
brethren,  &c," 

We  have  here,  dear  brethren,  given  a  few  Scriptural  quotations; 
many  others  of  like  import  might  be  given  to  guide  your  minds  to 
safe  conclusions,  upon  the  subject  in  question.  Herein  is  presented 
the  Christian  model,  the  Heavenly  directory,  the  great  Polar  star, 
that  is  always  calculated,  when  seen,  to  bring  us  safe  to  the  haven 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  425 

of  truth,  although  for  a  time  clouds  of  prejudice  and  error  may  have 
concealed  from  view  its  leading  advantages  and  glorious  directions. 
And  now  we  ask,  are  not  the  views,  doctrines  ami  practices  therein 
taught  and  inculcated,  missionary— both  in  deed  and  spirit,?  To 
convince  you  of  this  fact,  it  will  he  sufficient  here  to  notice  a  ivw 
leading  truths  contained  in  this  descriptive  illustration  character- 
istic of  missionary  proceedings.  First,  you  wjll  observe  that  the 
practice  of  our  dear  Savior,  when  on  earth,  was  to  travel  and  preach, 
that  he  was  seen  thus  instructing  the  people  in  the  ship,  in  the  tem- 
ple, iu  the  woods,  in  the  people's  houses,  private  and  public,  from 
city  to  city,  and  from  house  to  house,  and  to  preach  His  Gospel 
throughout  the  Jewish  nation  ;  that  they  being  thus  instructed  left 
all  their  worldly  business — their  ships,  their  nets,  their  homes,  their 
wives  and  children — and  were  seen  at  times  attending  upon  the 
ministry  of  their  Lord  and  Master,  that  they  might  learn  of  Him, 
His  doctrines  and  plan  of  life  and  salvation,  so  that  they  would  be 
able  to  teach  others  to  observe  whatsoever  He  had  told  them.  At 
other  times  prosecuting  their  journey,  by  His  immediate  appoint- 
ment, through  the  country,  declaring  this  news  of  life  and  salvation 
from  house  to  house,  by  night  and  by  day,  throughout  the  whole 
region  round  about  Jerusalem.  Secondly,  that  afterthe  resurrection 
these  same  ministers,  with  their  successors,  were  directed  to  go  into 
all  the  world  and  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature,  to  teach  all 
nations,  &c.  ;  and  that  in  obedience  to  this  direction  they  went  forth 
everywhere  ;  that  daily  in  the  temple  and  in  every  house  they  ceased 
not  to  preach  Jesus  Christ;  that  they  gave  themselves  continually 
to  prayer  and  the  ministry  of  the  Word  ;  passing  through  all  quar- 
ters, preaching  the  Gospel,  exhorting  the  people  to  turn  from  their 
sins,  and  confirming  the  brethren  with  many  words.  That  under 
this  operation  the  Lord  blessed  their  labors  abundantly,  as  you  will 
see  by  reading  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  where  thousands  upon 
thousands  of  souls  are  represented  as  believing  in  Christ,  and  gladly 
accepting  the  reigning  influence  of  the  laws  of  life  and  salvation,  in 
their  dark  and  benighted  minds.  You  will  please  notice  again,  that 
the  disciples  and  brethren  were  careful  in  their  church  capacity  to 
inquire  and  ascertain  where  the  preaching  of  the  Word  was  espe- 
cially needed;  that  they  were  frequently  seen  sending  the  ministers, 
chosen  and  chief  men,  such  as  had  ability  and  fitness,  especially  to 
meet  the  pending  emergency,  to  preach  the  Gospel,  teach  chc  people, 
confirm  the  brethren,  dispel  error,  and  establish  the  laws  of  the  King 
of  Zion  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  ;  and  that  in  every  instance  God 
owned  and  blessed  their  labors  by  the  immediate  overshadowing  of 
His  mercy,  and  out-pouring  of  His  grace  and  love  among  the  people 
where  they  labored. 

With  this  light  thus  afforded  through  the  medium  of  our  Holy 
Scriptures,  so  forcibly  calculated  to  bring  your  minds  to  rest  upon 
truths  thus  clearly  exhibited,  we  might  here  close  our  address,  beino- 
persuaded  of  their  superior  claims  to  the  notice  of  all  men.  Never- 
theless, we  deem  it  expedient,  in  confirmation  of  what  we  have 
54 


426  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

above  declared,  to  lay  before  you  a  few  facts  connected  with  the  his- 
tory and  practice  of  tbe  church  from  the  time  of  the  Apostles  up  to 
the  present  moment.  This  we  can  not  do  in  detail,  as  our  limits  are 
too  much  confined. 

Eusebius,  one  of  the  great  writers  of  parts  of  the  third  and  fourth 
centuries,  in  giving  the  history  of  the  proceedings  of  the  church  up 
to  this  time,  bears  direct  testimony  to  the  blessedness  of  this  sacred 
practice.  In  speaking  of  the  success  of  the  missionaries,  in  connec- 
tion with  the  pastors  under  the  name  of  evangelists,  says  that  under 
a  celestial  influence  and  this  co-operation,  the  doctrine  of  the  Savior 
— like  the  rays  of  the  sun — quickly  irradiated  the  whole  world  ;  that 
presently  the  sound  of  these  inspired  evangelists  and  apostles  had 
gone  throughout  all  the  earth  ;  that  throughout  every  city  and  vil- 
lage, like  a  replenished  barn  floor,  churches  were  rapidly  formed, 
abounding  and  filled  witli  members  from  every  people  ;  and  that  in 
this  the  Scriptures  were  fulfilled  that  said,  A  "nation  should  be  born 
in  one  day. "  The  learned  Dr.  Mosheim,  in  his  Ecclesiastical  History, 
speaking  of  the  favorable  events  connected  with  the  procedure  of  the 
church  in  almost  every  century,  leaves  ample  testimony  of  the  great 
results  of  missionary  labors — representing  that  by  their  names  great 
numbers  were  brought  to  the  light  of  tbe  Gospel  in  almost  every  na- 
tion. 

We  observe,  in  the  next  place,  that  when  the  Savior  sent  His 
ministers  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  a  dying  world  of  sinners,  He  did 
not  leave  them  (nor  any  other  person  wishing  to  know  the  Truth) 
in  the  dark,  as  to  how  their  temporal  wants  and  needs  were  to  be 
supplied  ;  for  in  the  foregoing  Scriptural  quotations  this  subject  is 
clearly  set  forth,  for  you  will  perceive  there  that  in  the  very  first 
dawning  of  the  day  of  grace  the  Savior,  in  His  practice  and  in  His 
appointment,  was  careful  upon  this  very  point — so  as  to  give  infor- 
mation that  while  His  ministers  were  performing  their  laborious 
duties  with  deep  anxiety  of  soul,  He,  the  King  of  Zioii,  declared 
that  thev  had  a  right  to  their  reasonable  support  among  the  breth- 
ren and  people  ;  that  they  need  not  be  careful  about  gold,  nor  silver, 
nor  brass,  nor  scrip,  nor  clothes,  nor  provide  themselves  wherewith, 
for  the  laborer  was  worthy  of  his  meat — was  worthy  of  his  hire — 
meaning,  clearly,  that  their  needs  as  to  gold,  silver.  &c  ,  should  and 
ought  to  be  supplied  by  the  people  ;  and  declaring  at  the  same  time 
most  emphatically  that  whatever  was  done  to  them  should  be  taken 
as  done  to  Himself,  and  particularly  noticing  that  it  should  be  more 
tolerable  for  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  in  the  day  of  judgment,  than  for 
such  as  refused  to  receive  the  minister  with  his  oilers  of  mercy,  and 
to  obey  the  directions  given  in  this  sacred  Law  of  His  Divine  King- 
dom. In  support  of  this  ordinance  of  the  blessed  Savior,  the  Holy 
Spirit  instructed  that  eminent  Apostle  Paul  to  say  to  the  church, 
that  they  that  are  taught  in  the  Word,  ought  to  communicate  unto 
them  that  seeketh  in  all  good  things  [see  Gal.  vi.  6  ;]  as  also  in  1  Cor. 
9th  chap.,  where  he  says  :  ''Have  we  not  power  to  eat  and  drink  ? 
Have  we  not  power  to  lead  about  a  wife  or  sister?  Who  goeth  a  war- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  427 

fare  at  any  time  at  his  own  ch;  rges  ?  Who  planttth  a  vineyard  and 
eateth  not  of  the  fruit  thereof;  or  who  feedeth  a  flock  and  eateth 
not  of  the  milk  of  the  flock  ?"  Say  I  these  things  as  a  man,  or  sahh 
the  law  the  same  also,  for  it  is  written  in  the  law  of  Moses,  "Thou 
shalt  not  muzzle  the  mouth  of  the  ox  that  treadeth  out  the  corn." 

Doth  God  take  care  for  oxen,  or  saith  it  altogether  for  our  sakes  ? 
For  our  sakes,  no  doubt,  that  he  that  ploweth  should  plow  in  hope, 
and  he  that  thresheth  in  hope  should  be  partaker  of  his  hope.  If 
we  have  sown  unto  you  spiritual  things,  is  it  a  great  thing  that  we 
s'; all  reap  your  carnal  things  ?  Do  you  not  know  that  they  who 
minister  about  Holy  things,  live  of  the  things  of  the  temple,  and 
they  which  wait  at  the  altar  aie  partakers  with  the  altar  ?  Even  so 
hath  the  Lord  ordained  that  they  who  preach  the  Gospel,  should 
live  of  the  Gospel. 

May  the  Lord  give  you  understanding  in  all  things,  and  hearts 
to  do  His  will,  and  prosper  you  most  abundantly  in  the  Spirit  and 
love  of  the  Gospel  of  peace  for  the  good  of  souls,  and  the  sake  of  our 
blessed  and  Divine  Redeemer.  Wade  Hull. 

October  19th,  1845. 


Hilderbran,  Elder  Amos  became  a  member  of  the 
King's  Mouutain  Association  in  1855.  He  was  a  member 
of  St.  John's  church,  which  had  Formerly  been  a  member  of 
the  Catawba  River  Association,  but  joined  the  King's  Moun- 
tain body  in  1855.  Elder  Hilderbrand  we  think  was  a 
Burke  county  man,  and  ordained  to  the  ministry  before  he 
identified  himself  with  the  King's  Mountain  body.  The  St. 
John's  church,  and  Elder  Hilderbran,  returned  to  the  Cataw- 
ba River  Association  in  1864.  We  know  very  little  of  his 
history.  He  was  of  German  descent,  and  probably  if  living, 
is  three-score  and  ten  years  of  age.  We  are  unable  to  say 
much  in  regard  to  his  preaching:  qualifications.  He  was  for 
many  years  pastor  of  the  St.  John's  church,  and  frequently 
attended  the  sessions  of  the  Association. 


Holcombe,  Elder  Hosea  was  a  member  of  Union  church, 
Lincoln  county,  N.  C„  as  far  back  as  1815,  and  represented 
said  church  in  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association  of 
that  year,  and  at  subsequent  sessions  of  the  body.  We  copy 
Dr.  Cathcart's,  account  of  him  from  his  Baptist  Encyclope- 
dia, viz  : 

"Rev.  Hosea  Holcombe,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  was  born 
about  the  year  1780.  For  some  years  a  minister  in  upper  South  Car- 
olina, he  settled  in  Jefferson  county,  Alabama,  early  in  the  history 
of  the  State.  Was  unquestionably  a  leader  in  projecting  the  plans 
of  the  early  Baptists  of  the  State,  taking  a  bold  and  aggressive  part 
in  everything  that  looked  to  the  elevation  of  the  Baptist  cause,  or 
to    the   progress  of   Baptist  principles.     Organized  nearly  all  the 


428  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

churches  for  many  miles  around  where  he  lived,  and  established 
them  on  a  sound  basis,  and  traveled  and  preached  over  a  large  part 
of  the  State  ;  went  to  Associations  far  and  near,  and  was  universally 
regarded  as  able  to  guide  them  /  was  six  years  president  of  the  State 
Convention  ;  more  than  any  other  man  in  the  State  he  withstood 
the  anti-missionaries  ;  was  in  the  strength  of  his  ministerial  influ- 
ence when  the  anti-missionaries  were  doing  their  work  of  mischief 
among  Alabama  Baptists.  He  was  the  man  for  the  times  and  per- 
formed his  work  well.  One  of  the  founders  of  our  State  Convention, 
and  a  most  earnest  advocate  for  the  establishment  of  good  schools 
by  the  denomination  or  for  ministerial  education.  He  was  an  able 
minister  of  the  New  Testament,  doctrinal  and  argumentative  iu 
preaching,  clear  and  forcible  in  delivery,  mighty  in  the  Scriptures, 
a  noble  and  impressive  person,  commanding  respect  and  veneration 
everywhere  ;  though  not  so  great  a  man,  he  holds  a  position  in  the 
history  of  Alabama  Baptists  not  unlike  that  of  Dr.  Mercer  among 
the  brethren  of  Georgia.  He  wrote  a  number  of  controversial  pam- 
phlets, compiled  a  hymn  book,  and  a  history  of  the  Baptists  in  Ala- 
bama—a work  of  375  pages — which  brings  its  history  down  to  the 
year  1840.  He  passed  his  ministry  as  pastor  of  anumberof  churches, 
and  as  a  missionary  evangelist.  He  died  in  1841,  at  his  home,  and 
was  buried  on  his  farm,  near  Jonesborough.  Two  of  his  sons  became 
Baptist  preachers." 

Any  people  might  thank  God  for  such  a  man. 


Huett,  Elder  James  was  a  member  of  Friendship 
church,  and  in  1840  made  his  appearance  in  the  Broad  River 
Association  as  a  delegate,  then,  a  licentiate.  He  was  soon 
after  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry,  and 
was  again  a  representative  of  Friendshipin  1841.  He  then  be- 
came a  member  and  pastor  of  Sulphur  Springs  church,  and 
a  delegate  to  the  Asssociation  from  that  church  in  1842.  He 
continued  to  bear  the  same  relation  until  1845,  when  we  lose 
sight  of  him  in  the  minutes.  His  preaching  talents  were  not 
above  mediocrity,  but  he  was  considered  a  good  pious  chris- 
tian minister  fully  persuaded  in  his  mind  that  it  was  his 
duty  to  render  all  the  services  he  possibly  could  in  the  Mas- 
ters  cause.     Elder  Huett,  if  now  living  has  probably  became 


an  octogenarian. 


Holyfield,  Elder  Jacob  was  a'  delegate  from  Concord 
church,  Rutherford  county,  1ST.  C,  to  the  session  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  held  at  Sandy  Run  church  in  1808. 
He  afterwards  became  a  member  of  Ebenezer  church,  and 
a  delegate  from  said  church  in  1811.  The  Ebenezer  church 
remained  a  member  of  the  Broad  River  body  many  years 
afterwards;  but  we  lose  sight  of  Elder  Ilolytield  in  the  min- 
utes after  1811.      He  may  have  emigrated  without  the  limits 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  426 

>f  the  Association.  We  have  no  information  as  to  the  date 
of  his  birth  or  death,  or  his  qualifications  as  a  minister.  lie 
leaves  behind  him  some  of  his  name,  and  doubtless  his  de- 
scendants, in  the  same  region  of  country  where  lie,  as  one 
of  the  poineer  ministers  of  the  Broad  River  Association  spent 
his  ministerial  career.  Let  his  name  be  preserved,  and  still 
■be  had  in  remembrance. 


Hall,  Elder  Joshua  was  onee  a  member  of  the  Broad 
■River  Association.  In  1820  he  was  a  licensed  preacher  and 
lay  delegate  from  Silver  Creek  church  to  the  session  of  the 
Association  of  that  year  at  Head  of  Tyger  River.  He  again 
represented  the  same  church  in  1821.  Then  an  ordained 
minister,  and  again  in  1824  and  1826.  The  Silver  Creek 
•church  was  no  more  a  member  of  the  Broad  River  body 
after'this  session,  but  in  1828  his  church  became  a  constitu- 
ent member  of  the  Catawba  River  Association;  taking  Eld. 
Hall  with  it.  We  are  not  informed  as  the  date  of  his  birth; 
•he  was  of  Burke  county,  BT.  C,  and  saidf  to  be  a  good  preach-, 
-er  for  the  time  in  which  he  had  labored  in  the  ministrv. 


Hoyle,  Elder  Jacob  Asbury  was  born  in  Burke  coun- 
ty, N.  C,  on  the  21st  of  March,  1850.  His  parents  moved 
to  Cleveland  county  and  settled  of  "the  waters  of  Ward's 
•Creek  when  he  was  two  years  of  age.  He  was  raised  on  a 
farm  by  very  poor  parents,  though  intelligent  and  respecta- 
ble, his  father  being  a  school  teacher,  His  son  could  only 
■attend  school  in  the  winter  time,  and  his  studies  were  only 
orthography,  reading,  writing  and  arithmetic,  but  manifest- 
ing aptitude  he  progressed  rapidly.  At  the  age  of  nineteen, 
lie  married  Miss  Ellen  J.  Crowder  of  Cleveland,  and  settled 
on  a  small  farm;  his  wife  being  not  only  affectionate  but  in- 
dustrious, they  entered  upon  the  toils  of  life,  and  cultivated 
the  soil  until  December  1878,  when  they  moved  to  Gaston 
county,  where  he  now  lives,  near  Cherryville  on  the  Caroli- 
na Central  railroad. 

Elder  Hovle  was  converted  under  the  preaching;  of  Eld. 
A.  C.  Irvin,  in  August  1880,  and  baptized  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  Mt.  Zion  church  at  the  close  of  a  protracted  meeting. 
He  was  licensed  to  preach  in  March  1881.  And  in  October, 
1881,  he  moved  his  membership  with  an  arm  of  Mt.  Zion 
■church  to  aid  in  the  construction  of  Shad}7  Grove,  which 
church  called  him  to  take  the  pastoral  care  of  it.  He  was 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministrv,  June  16th,  1882, 
by  Elders  T.  Dixon,  A.  L.  Stough  and  G.  M.  Webb.  He 
preaches  at  a  school  house  on  the  Lincoln  and  Castor  line  as 
a  missionary  of  the  King  Mountain  Association,  and  has  just 


m  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

received  a  call  from  Providence  church  in  Catawba   county-, 
which  he  accepts  as  pastor. 

He  is  a  promising  young  minister  of  great  zeal  and  en- 
ergy, using  all  the  means  within  his  power  to  improve  a* 
detective  education,  and  store  his  mind  with  Biblical  lore,  so* 
as  to  enable  him  to  preach  the  gospel  acceptably,  and  stop  the 
mouths  of  gainsayers  and  otherwise  render  good  and  faithful 
service  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Master.  We  wish  him  much 
success.  ' 


Irvin,  Abram  G.  was  born  February  3d,  1843;  was  con- 
verted in  earlv  life,  and  commenced  exercising  his  gift  ir> 
public  in  the  year  1871.  In  the  year  1875  he  received  a  call 
from  Providence  church,  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C,  and 
was  ordained  the  same  year  [on  July  4th]  at  Zion  church,  of 
which  church  he  was  a  member,  the  presbytery  consisting  of 
Elders  G.  W.  Rollins,  Wade  Hill,  T.  Dixon,  J.  M.  Bridges,. 
It.  Poston,  M.  Pannell,  G.  M.  Webb  and  A.  A.  McSwain. 

Since  the  ordination  of  Elder  Irvin  he  has  been  actively 
engaged  in  his  pastoral  duties,  attending  several  churches- 
and  preaching  the  Word  very  acceptably  and  with  much 
faithfulness  and  zeal  to  all.  Like  many  other  Baptist  min- 
isters, Bro.  Irvin  has  to  lament  his  lack  of  scholastic  attain- 
ments, but  feeling  that  a  dispensation  of  the  Gospel  is  com- 
mitted to  him  from  which  he  is  not  at  liberty  to  shrink,  he- 
has  availed  himself  of  all  the  religious  helps  within  his  reach 
to  tit  and  quality  him  to  stand  before  a  gain-saying  world  as 
a  mouth-piece  for  God,  and  call  on  sinners  to  repent ;  and 
in  thus  preparing  himself,  through  the  providence  of  the 
Master,  he  has  been  enabled  to  become  a  useful  and  popular 
minister,  supplying  several  churches  with  much  acceptance 
to  them  and  credit  ttf  himself,  his  labors  being  greatly  blest. 

Elder  Irvin  became  a  member  of  the  King's  Mountain 
Association  first  in  1872,  since  which  time  we  find  he  has 
annually  attended  each  session  as  a  delegate  from  the  Zion 
church.  At  the  session  of  1878,  at  Boiling  Springs,  he 
preached  the  introductory  sermon  before  the  Association 
with  muoto  credit  to  himself,  from  Micah  iv.  2.  Being  in 
the  vigor  of  manhood,  we  anticipate  much  useful  labor  in 
the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  from  Bro.  Irvin. 

He  now  lives  with  a  secoud  wife,  having  first  married 
Miss  Harriet  A.  W  eathers,  and  after  her  decease  he  married 
Miss  Mariah  J.  Corn  well,  with  whom  he  lives  very  happily 
at  the  present  time. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  '431 

3T;ackson,  Elder  Nathaniel  appears  in  the  Minutes  of 
••the  Broad  River  Association  as  far  back  as  1807,  as  an  or- 
dained minister  and  delegate  to  the  Association  from  Head 
■of  Tyger  River  church,  (Spartanburg  county,  S.  C,  and  he 
-continued  to  represent  said  church  until  after  the  session  of 
1819,  when  we  lose  sight  of  him  in  the  Minutes.  He  prob- 
ably moved  out  of  the  bounds  of  the  Broad  River,  as  the 
Head  of  Tyger  River  church  still  remained  a  member  of  the 
Broad  River  Association,  and  was  represented  by  other  par- 
ties. He  was  doubtless  an  old  superanuated  preacher  in 
1819,  and  very  probably  went  to  his  reward  not  long  after. 
We  are  without  information  as  to  the  date  of  his  advent  into 
the  world,  and  also  as  to  his  ministerial  qualifications.  We 
have  no  doubt  but  that  he  was  worthy  of  a  tar  better  tribute 
of  respect  than  this,  but  there  has  been  so  little  attention 
..given  to  the  history  of  the  pioneers,  within  the  bounds  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  up  to  the  present  time,  and,  the 
greater  part  of  the  old  people  being  now  dead,  and  but  very 
kittle  recorded,  we  therefore  find  it  impossible  to  get  muck 
information  from  the  present  generation,  and  consequently 
•our  sketches  are  shamefully  meagre  and  uninteresting.  Let 
•the  name,  however,  of  Elder  Jackson  be  handed  down  to 
succeeding  venerations  as  one  of  the  LorcKs  ministering  ser- 
vants,  who  probably  spent  a  great  portion  of  his  life  in  call- 
ing on  sinners  to  repent,  and  accept  the  offered  terms  of  the 
Gospel  of  Christ. 


Jones,  Elder  .John  J.  was  born  in  Rutherford  county 
(now  Cleveland),  ]ST.  C,  February  23rd,  1824.  Converted 
5And  baptized  in  1850.  Ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry  in 
August  1853.  Elder  Jones  was  chosen  pastor  of  Mt.  Paran 
church  in  1855,  and  was  by  that  church  elected  a  delegate  to 
the  Asioeiation  the  same  year.  He  continued  to  occupy 
that  relationship  until  the  Tempearance  Seism  took  place 
in  1860;  when  Elder  L.  McSwain  was  chosen  pastor  of  that 
church,  and  they  withdrew  from  the  Association  immediately 
after  its  session  that  year.  Elder  Jones  sympathized  with  the 
temperance  movement,and  was  permitted  to  participate  °in  the 
councils  of  the  "Regular"  body  that  session,  but  afte  wards  afili- 
ated  with  what  was  called  the  "Constitutional"  body,  until 
the  reconciliation  took  place  in  1866,  when  harmony  was 
restored  in  the  Convention  held  at  Zoar  church.  In  all  this 
unpleasant  movement  Bro.  Jones  manifested  a  Christian 
spirit  towards  all,  and  was  anxious  that  the  breach  in  fellow- 
ship should  be  healed  at  the  earliest  ^possible  moment,  he 
said  and  did  all  he  could  to  effect  a  reconciliation  which   af- 


43L'  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

tervvards  was  accomplished.  Elder  Jone  had  an  impediment 
in  his  speech  Unit  prevents  his  usefulness  as  a  preacher,  hut 
is  always  to  he  fount  I  at  his  post  of  duty  in  teaching  a  knowl- 
edge of  sacred  music  (which  is  verv  desirable  in  the  house 
ot  God),  or  conducting  the  prayer-meeting  or  Sunday-school 
work  in  the  churches. 

He  married  Miss   Mary  Ham-rick   in  1841  with  whom 
he  lives  hapily. 


Justice,  Elder  Thomas  Butler  is  a  native  of  Buncombe 
county  (now  Henderson,)  N.  0.  Born  July  27th,  1813.  lie 
proteased  conversion  in  May,  1835,  aqd  was  baptized  in  Au- 
gust follo^ng.  Was  licensed  to  preach  the  1st  of  August,. 
1840,  and  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  on 
June  3d,  1842.  He  is  a  nephew  of  the  pioneer,  minister* 
Thomas  Justice,  of  the  Broad  River  Association,  who  took 
part  iii  its  organization. 

Elder  Justice  married  Miss  Harriet  Bailey,  of  Hender- 
son county,  X.  C,  who  proved  to  be  an  affectionate  and 
agreeable  help  meet  to  him  while  engaged  in  the  toils  of  life. 
They  have  reared  a  family  of  sons  and  daughters.  One  of 
his  sons  (Elder  C.  B.  Justice)  is  an  able  and  popular  minis- 
ter of  the  Green  River  Association  ;  and  another,  Michael 
H.  Justice,  is  a  practicing  attorney  at  Rutherfordton,  and  ;> 
Baptist. 

Elder  T.  B.  Justice,  we  believe,  was  first  a  member  of 
the  Union  Association,  and  by  reason  of  some  conflicting 
doctrinal  views  in  reference  to  the  nature  of  the  atonement 
of  Christ,  the  correspondence  between  the  Green  River  and 
Union  was  disturbed  for  a  time — until  an  explanatory  and 
reconciliatory  conference  could  be  assembled.  Eider  M.  O, 
Barnett,  in  his  history  of -the  Broad  River  Association,  ex- 
plains the  matter  in  this  way  : 

"In  the  constitution  of  the  Union  Association,  which  embraced 
a  great  part  ot*  Henderson  county,  N.  C,  there  was  a  repudiating 
clause  of  the  doctrine  of  election,  and  on  that  account  the  Green 
River  Association  refused  correspondence  with  that  body,  and  held 
Charges  against  them  for  heterodoxy.  It  was  finally  agreed  to  by 
the  two  Associations— Green  River  and  Union— that  the  whole  mat- 
ter should  be  left  to  a  committee  of  six,  chosen  from  Tyger  River 
and  Brqad  River  Associations;  consequently  Elders  Richard  Fur- 
man,  J.  G.  Landrum,  YV.  Hill,  D.  Scruggs,  M.  C.  Barnett.  and  Bro. 
William  Walker  met  at  Hendersonville,  N.  C,  as  a  committee  to 
take  into  toasideration,  and  if  possible,  adjust  the  existing  difficulty. 
The  .substance  of  the  charges  brought  by  the  Green  River  Associa- 
tion against  the  Union  Association,  was  that  of  Free  willism.  This 
charge  thej    supported   by  that  clause  in  their  constitution  which 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  433 

said:  "We  repudiate  the  doctrine  of  election."  The  committee  to 
whom  the  matter  was  referred,  decided  thcit,  before  the  Union  Asso- 
ciation could  consistently  come  into  correspondence  with  the  regular 
Baptist  Association,  they  must  strike  out  that  repudiating  clause 
from  their  constitution.  This  the  Union  Association,  by  their  rep- 
resentatives, heartily  consented  to  do,  and  the  whole  mutter  was  set- 
tled." 

Elder  Justice  became  a  member  of  tbe  Green  River 
body,  and  remaiued  with  it  until  1855  ;  when  the  Ruther- 
fordton  church,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  joined  the 
Broad  River  body,  and  Elder  Justice  thereby  became  iden- 
tified with  that  Association,  until  the  session  of  1870,  when 
he  with  the  Rutherfordton  church,  ao-ain  identified  them- 
selves  with  the  Green  River  body,  of  which  he  is  now  a 
member. 

We  have  known  Elder  Justice  as  a  minister  and  bus- 
iness man  for  a  number  of  years.  As  a  preacher  he  ranks 
among  the  ablest  and  most  eloquent;  his  sermons  are  at  all 
times  characterized  by  much  affection  and  pathos,  while  few 
excel  him  as  an  expositor  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel. 
He  has  labored  for  many  years  under  a  nervous  affection, 
which  greatly  affects  his  voice,  until  he  gets  warmed  up  with 
the  subject  matter  of  his  text,  when  his  articulation  is  much 
improved,  and  he  acquits  himself  very  satisfactorily  to  his 
audience. 

His  present  residence  is  in  Polk  county,  1ST.  C.,  near  the 
famous  Mills'  Spring.  Bro.  Justice  has  reached  the  allotted 
period  of  three-score  and  ten,  yet  we  hope  he  has  many 
years  of  usefulness  yet  to  serve  the  Master. 


Kinurick,  Elder  John  G.,  late  of  Pacolet  church, 
Union  count}-,  South  Carolina,  was  born  in  1804.  Made 
his  first  appearance  in  the  Broad  River  Association  at 
its  session  at  Providence  church  in  1844  as  a  delegate  from 
the  Pacolet  church,  since  which  time  he  has  attended  the 
annual  sessions  regularly  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
took  place  in  1872,  at  the  house  of  a  friend  while  on  a 
preaching  tour.  In  noticing  the  life  and  character  of  this 
good  man,  we  feel  that  we  could  not  do  better  than  to  re- 
produce the  sketch  given  of  him  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Broad 
River  Association,  at  its  session  in  1872,  which  is  as  follows: 
"This  faithful  soldier  of  the  cross  died  on  the  6th  of  June  last, 
after  a  few  days'  illness,  from  apoplexy,  in  the  69th  year  of  his  life. 
He  had  been  a  member  of  the  Baptist  denomination  for  about  S.i 
years,  during  all  of  which  time  he  was  actively  engaged  in  the  work 
of  the  ministry.  Bro.  Kindrick  was  brought  up  by  a  pious  mother, 
who  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  he  was 
55 


4C4  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

for  many  years  a  zealous  member.  Several  of  his  children  were 
sprinkled  as  members  of  that  church  ;  but  in  mature  manhood  he 
began  a  careful  examination  of  the  Scriptures,  and  found  that  he 
was  in  error  on  many  of  the  regulations  of  the  Gospel.  "With  a 
great  struggle  he  determined  to  submit  to  the  ordinance  of  immer- 
sion aud  become  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  He,  with  his 
wife,  was  immersed,  and  united  with  the  Pacolet  church,  in  Union 
county.  He  had  exercised  his  gift  while  a  Presbyterian,  and  was 
soon  after  his  baptism  ordained  as  pastor  of  Pacolet  church,  in  which 
charge  he  remained  until  his  death.  This  church,  under  his  care, 
grew  from  a  small  number  tto  become  one  of  the  largest  churches  in 
the  Broad  River  Association." 

-  During  his  ministry  he  supplied,  at  different  times, 
Upper  Fair  Forest,  New  Bethel,  Calvary,  Beaver  Creek  and 
other  churches  in  the  adjoining  counties  of  York  and  Ches- 
ter. He  supplied  several  mission  stations,  and  traveled  in 
company  with  Elder  Wade  Hill  and  others  as  a  missionary 
in  the  hounds  of  the  Broad  River  Association. 

His  education  was  limited,  but  having  much  native 
power  of  thought,  blest  with  a  logical  "mind  and  Presbyterian 
training,  he  became  an  able  and  fearless  defender  of  the  faith, 
once  delivered  to  the  saints.  While  his  preaching  was  always 
plain  and  Scriptural,  he  yet  had  a  fluent  and  forcible  form  of 
speech.  This,  combined  with  his  fine  personal  appearance 
and  great  earnestness,  made  him  attractive  and  powerful  in 
the  pulpit.  Elder  Kind  rick,  like  many  other  strong  men, 
had  at  times  some  eccentricities  of  character.  Many  have 
heard,  with  feelings  mingled  with  humor  and  seriousness, 
his  sermons  on  the  number  of  the  beast,  his  description  of 
Satan  and  other  things. 

At  the  meeting  of  this  Association,  at  Providence 
church,  a  few  years  ago,  he  closed 'the  services  on  Sunday 
afternoon  with  an  earnest  exhortation,  in  which  he  worked 
in  his  description  of  Satan.  And  in  speaking  of  the  power 
of  Satan  to  deceive  the  people,  he  remarked  that  "the  Devil 
would  feed  them  on  soft  corn,  and  choke  them  to  death  oh 
the  cobs."  He  had  the  facility  of  changing  suddenly  from 
these  currents  of  humor  to  the  most  solid  and  serious  dis- 
course. 

Iu  his  social  intercourse  with  men,  his  conduct  was  seas- 
oned with  prudence,  pleasure  and  profit.  He  was  a  model 
husband  and  parent,  and  universally  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him.  However  much  this  bodv  niav  feel  the  loss  of 
this  good  man,  that  feeling  cannot  measure  the  loss  sustained 
bv  his  churches  and  the  community,  in  his  death. 

He  preached  his  last  sermon  at  Upper  Fair  Forest 
church  on  the  Sunday  before  his  death.  On  leaving  home 
on  Sabbath  morning  his  wife,  feeling  indisposed,  at  first  de- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  435 

•clincd  going  with  him.  He  insisted  on  her  accompanying 
him,  saying,  she  did  not  know  what  might  happen  to  him. 
After  such  earnest  persuasion  she  agreed  to  go.  After 
preaching  on  Sunday  lie  went  and  spent  the  night  with  Mr. 
Thomas  Kelly.  On  rising  to  leave  the  table  on  Monday 
morning,  he  began  to  stagger,  and,  on  /being  supported  by 
his  wife  and  others,  he  said,  "Lay  me  down  and  let  me  die." 
These  were  among  his  last  words  ;  he  lingered  in  a  helpless 
and  almost  unconscious  state  until  Thursday  following, 
Avhen  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus.  The  funeral  discourse  was 
preached  at  Pacolet  church  by  Eider  M.  C.  Barnett,  to  a 
large  congregation.  His  body  lies  in  the  grave-yard  of 
Pacolet  church. 

Let  the  ministers  and  brethren  of  the  Broad  River*  As- 
sociation study  his  character,  follow  his  example  and  cherish 
his  memory,  as  they  behold  his  spiritual  children,  abiding 
steadfast  in  the  Savior  and  Gospel  which  he  preached  ;  and 
all  of  us  be  found  like  him — at  our  post — when  the  Captain 
of  our  salvation  shall  come  to  relieve  us  from  our  earthly 
warfare. 

Personal  Appearance. — Elder  Kindrick  was  tall  and 
straight,  somewhat  raw-boned  ;  had  a  massive  head,  thickly 
covered  with  dark  hair,  eyes  blue,  countenance  rather  stern 
or  serious,  voice  stentorian,  articulation  good,  gestures' very 
forcible,  natural  and  dignified,  and  possessed  fascinating 
power  sufficient  to  hold  his  congregations  as  if  spell  bound 
for  an  hour  or  two  without  seeming  to  become  restless.  He 
was  an  original  thinker,  and  relied  altogether  on  his  own 
and  Biblical  resources,  and  had  certainly  become  au  attract- 
ive and  popular  preacher  in  the  bounds  of  the  Broad  River 
Association.  He  was  considered  rather  an  expert  in  the 
administration  of  the  ordinance  of  baptism;  having  become  a 
convert  from  Pedo-baptism,  he  probably  gave  that  matter 
more  attention  than  the  average  Baptist  preacher.  Elder 
Barnett,  the  associational  historian,  in  speaking  of  him, 
says  : 

"1  have  thought  he  performed  the  ordinance  of  baptism  with 
as  much  dignity  and  solemnity  as  any  man  that  ever  came  under 
my  observation.  Imagine  yourself  at  the  Skull  Shoals,  on  Pacolet 
river,  near  the  church,  on  the  2d  Sunday  in  September.  Both  banks 
of  the  river  are  lined  with  hundreds  of  people  (the  public  roads 
crossing  here. )  You  see  others  coming  on  both  sides  ;  two  or  three 
canoes  are  loaded  with  persons  crossing  the  river,  some  going  one 
way  and  some  the  other  ;  at  the  same  time  the  river  is  being  forded 
by  twenty  at  the  time,  in  carriages,  in  buggies,  and  on  horseback  ; 
the  people  commence  singing  on  the  opposite  bank  from  the  church, 
and  everything  begins  to  get  still.  Bro.  Kindrick  has  about  twenty 
to  baptize  this  morning.     After  prayer  he  leads  one  down  into  the 


436  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

water,  and  with  one  hand  lifted  up  he  says  :  "In  obedience  to  the' 
command  of  God,  and  after  the  example  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  baptize 
thee,"  &e.  As  they  come  up  out  of  the  water  he  makes  some  apt 
quotation  from  Scripture — such  as,  "We  are  buried  with  Him  in 
baptism,  wherein  also  ye  are  risen  with  Him  from  the  dead  ;"  and 
then  another  in  like  manner,  until  bis  work  is  done.  But  I  guess 
you  will  not  leave  immediately  until  you  witness  something  more  of 
the  stir  and  bustle  of  the  crowd,  in  starting  back  to  the  church  :  the 
river  is  thronged  with  persons  crossing — some  on  the  shoal,  and 
some  higher  up,  where  the  water  is  deeper,  but  the  bottom  smoother  ; 
the  canoes  are  doing  their  part,  and  in  a  half  hour  they  are  all  gone. 
Such  is  the  scene  that  I  have  witnessed  at  that  romantic  place." 

And  will  any  one,  with  the  New  Testament  in  their 
hands,  presume  to  say  that  such  a  "scene"  is  not  fully  in  ac- 
cord with  apostolic  usages  and  practices?  and  still  insist  that 
such  a  course  would  be  indecorous,  and  in  conflict  with  the 
advanced  progress  of  the  present  age  ? 


King,  Elder  William  appeared  first  in  the  Broad  River 
Association  about  1807,  from  Head  of  Enoree  church.  We  are 
not  informed  as  to  the  time  of  his  birth  or  death.  We  find 
from  the  minutes  of  the  Association  that  he  was  a  min- 
ister of  considerable  prominence  and  ability  in  the  time 
he  lived.  In  1808,  he  prepared  a  circular  letter  under 
the  appointment  of  the  body,  on  The  Union  and 
Utility  of  an  Association.  Which,  out  of  respect  for 
his  memory,  we  reproduce  with  this  sketch.  In  1811,  he 
preached  the  introductory  sermon  before  the  Association, 
and  in  the  session  of  1814  he  was  chosen  clerk,  which  shows 
that  he  was  considered  a  good  business  man.  In  1818  he 
was  again  appointed  to  write  the  circular  letter,  On  a  Baptist 
Church  receiving  members  into  fellowship,  ivho  were  baptized  by 
immersion  in  Methodist  societies. 

The  writer  took  the  ground  "that  as  certain  priests  an- 
ciently failed  to  show  their  genealogy  among  the  lawful 
priests,- and  were  rejected;  in  like  manner  should  all  admin- 
trators  of  the  ordinance  of  baptism  be  rejected,  who  fail  to 
show  their  own  baptism  according  to  the  gospel,  by  a  min- 
ister who  has  himself  been  baptized  in  a  regular  line  from 
the  Apostles  down  to  the    present  day."  . 

From  1811,  Elder  King  represented  Double  Spring 
church,  which  was  probably  a  new  organization,  and  after 
'the  session  of  1820,  we  lose  si«rht  of  him  entirely.  Doubtless 
he  either  dierd  and  went  to  his  reward,  or  emigrated  to  some 
other  part  of  the  Lord's  vineyard.  Like  many  other  pioneer 
ministers,  he  has  not  had  that  attention  paid  him  that  his 
eminent  services  justly  demanded,  and  consecmently  at  this 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  437 

late  day  it  is  impracticable  for  any  writer  to  do  him  justice. 
Let  his  name,  however,  be  handed  down  to  succeeding"  gen- 
erations as  one  that  was  worthy  of  imperishable  fame  for  his 
work's  sake. 

CIRCULAR   LETTER. 

The  Broad  River  Baptist  Association — To  the  Churches  they  Repre- 
sent—send Christian  Salutation  : 

Beloved  Brethren  : — The  subjects  on  which  we  have  to  ad- 
■dress  you  this  year,  are  the  Union  and  Utility  of  an  Association, 

In  treating  on  these  delightful  subjects,  we  shall  consider  first, 
of  the  union  of  an  Association, — that  is  the  same  with  the  union  of 
•all  saints  ;  secondly,  how  the  union  of  an  Association  as  a  body, 
joined  by  mutual  consent,  should  be  maintained  ;  third,  of  the  util- 
ity of  an  Association. 

First.  Of  the  union  of  an  Association^the  same  as  the  union  of 
all  saints.  This  holy  union  is  derived  from  God,  and  takes  place 
first  between  Him  and  all  His  children,  iu  their  being  united  to 
Christ  and  becoming  one  with  Him  /  they  are  also  united  or  joined 
together  in  this  glorious  mysterious  union  and  become  one  in  Him. 
The  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  their  hearts,  and  Divine  Truth  in 
its  glorious  harmony,  beauty  and  excellence  is  revealed  to  them,  and 
they  receive  it  in  the  love  thereof ;  and  as  the  Gospel  contains  all 
things  necessary  to  be  believed  and  to  be  done,  the  union  of  the 
saints  with  one  another  consists  in  their  agreement  in  the  Truth, 
tooth  as  to  faith  and  practice  ;  and  except  the  faith  and  practice  of 
professing  christians  is  compatible  with  the  Word  of  God,  there  can 
not  be  a  union  between  them.  And  this  shows  that  God  has  wrought 
a  supernatural  change  in  His  people,  whereby  they  are  brought  to 
love  God  in  His  infinite  perfections;  to  love  His  word,  and  to  love 
His  people,  because  they  bear  the  image  of  Jesus  Christ.  And  this 
heavenly  union  is  never  to  have  an  end,  but  will  be  increased  in 
heaven  beyond  all  our  comprehension.  Under  these  considerations 
the  union  of  saints  may  well  be  considered  a  pearl  of  price  unknown. 
Secondly.  How  the  union  of  an  Association,  as  a  body  joined  by 
mutual  consent,  should  be  maintained. 

In  taking  a  view  of  this  part  of  the  subject,  an  Association  may 
toe  considered  as  a  larger  church,  of  more  extensive  bounds.  A  Gos- 
pel church  consists  of  a  number  of  members  joined  in  union  by  mu- 
tual consent,  and  each  member  is  under  indispensable  obligations 
not  to  do  or  say  anything  contrary  to  the  Gospel,  whereby  the  minds 
of  the  rest  may  be  grieved,  but  is  bound  by  the  law  of  Truth  and 
love  to  do  all  things  according  to  the  Gospel.  When  this  is  the  case, 
a  church  is  in  a  happy  union.     An  Association  consists  of  a  number 

of  churches  coalesced  by  mutual  consent  (it  should  seem)  for  the 
good  of  the  whole,  then  each  church  is  uuder  weighty  obligations 
not  to  do  or  propagate  anything  contrary  to  the  Gospel,  wherebv 
1he  mind  of  any  other  church  or  of  the  Association  may  be  grieved, 
but  it  is  bound  by  the  glorious  law  of  Christ  to  do  nil  tilings  accord- 
ing to  the  Gospel,  aud  so  to  maintain  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the 
bonds  of  perfectness. 


438  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Thia  is  the  way  for  churches  that  compose  an  Association  to  live: 
m  union.  Again,  when  an  Association  meets  together,  their  union* 
(while  in  conference)  is  linn,  if  they  do  all  things  according  to  the 
Word  of  God,  and  are  governed  by  love.  Under  these  considera- 
tions, every  selfish  motive  should  be  laid  aside  ;  ambition  and  vain 
glory  ought  never  to  be  seen  in  such  a  council,  but  all  the  rules  of 
brotherly  love  should  Ive  attended  to  with  meekness  and   humility. 

Thirdly.  Of  the  utility  or  usefulness  of  an  Association, 

A  body  of  wise  an  I  h  >ly  men  in  such  a  happy  union,  and  gov- 
erned by  truth,  can  not  fail  in  bein^  useful.  The  wise  mean  says  r 
In  the  multitude  of  counsel  there  is  safety,"  (which  tends  to  useful- 
ness-.) In  an  Association  there  is  a  multitude  of  counsel,  which' 
tends  to  usefulness ;  therefore  an  Association  is  useful.  In  such  a 
ollection  of  lights,  like  bright  constellations,  the  light  will  shine 
more  clear,  and  of  course  discover  the  hidden  works  of  darkness 
more  plainly,  and  deep  things  will  be  understood  with  greater  ease- 
It  is  here  a  godly  minister  will  be  encouraged,  while  the  reverse 
will  be  discountenanced  ;  it  is  here  difficult  queries  may  be  proposed 
and  answered  ;  it  is  here  counterfeit  tenets  and  practices  may  be  de- 
tected and  put  down  ;  it  is  here  an  aggrieved  church  may  obtain 
redress,  when  all  other  means  fail ;  it  is  here  a  member,  not  justly 
dealt  by,  may  make  known  his  case  and  find  redress.  In  an  associ- 
ate capacity,churches  and  ministers  may  meet  and  take  sweet  coun- 
sel, cultivate  christian  friendship,  and  be  of  mutual  advantage  to- 
each  other  while  in  a  troublesome  world.  We  shall  conclude  the 
discussion  of  these  interesting  subjects  with  a  few  words  of  exhort- 
ation : 

Dear  Brethren,  let  it  be  well  remembered  that  we  must  not  only 
anticipate,  but  participate  of  this  glorious  and  happy  union  on  earthr 
or  wTe  never  shall  enjoy  it  in  heaven  Bet  us  endeavor  to  realize  it 
every  day  that  we  live.  Further,  let  us  labor  much  to  be  useful  in 
works  of  justice,  mercy  and  love.  '  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus- 
Christ  be  with  you  all.  Amen.  William  King. 
October  l,th,  1808. 


Kirkindol,  Elder  J.  was  the  pastor  of  Buck  Creek 
church  in  18Jr2,-'43-'44-'45,  and  being  a  member  of  said 
church  was  chosen  one  of  her  delegates  to  represent  her  in 
the  Association  the  same  years.  We  are  unable  to  learn 
much  of  the  history  of  Elder  Kirkindol,  and  as  his  sojourn 
within  the  bounds  of  the  Broad  River  Association  appears 
from  the  minutes  to  have  been  only  a  few  years,  we  incline 
to  the  opinion  that  he  emigrated  to  some  other  field  of  labor. 
lie  was,  however,  once  a  Broad  River  minister. 


Ivirby,  Elder  Bolis  Tollison  appears  first  as  a  member 
and  delegate  from  Bethesda  church,  at  the  sessiono  f  the 
Association  of  1824.  having  been  licensed  to  preach  a  short 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  439 

time  previously.  In  1827,  he  was  again  a  delegate  from 
said  church,  and  in  1831,  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of 
the  gospel  ministry,  and  chosen  pastor  of  the  Long  Creek 
•church.  In  the  session  of  the  Association  held  that  year  at 
Buck  Creek  church,  he,  and  Elder  James  Lewis,  were  the 
deleo-ates  from  Lous;  Creek.  He  continued  his  connection 
with  the  Long  Creek  church,  as  pastor  and  representative, 
■until  1835.  About  this  time,  very  damaging  reports  were 
put  in  circulation  detrimental  to  the  virtuous  and  moral 
character  of  Elder  Kirby,  alleged  by  some  to  have  grown 
out  of  an  unfortunate  matrimonial  alliance,  that  he  had  made. 
He  became  intemperate  and  erratic  in  hisdeportment,where- 
•by  he  lost  the  -confidence  of  many  of  his  brethren.  He  was, 
however,  called  to  labor  for  a  year  or  two,  after  this,  with  a 
very  feeble  church  in  the  extreme  eastern  part  of  the  Asso- 
ciation, which  appearing  unprofitable  to  all  the  parties  con- 
'Cerned,  that  was  abandoned:  and  gradually  B.  T.  Kirby 
once  a  minister  of  great  promise,  sank  down  in  the  mire  and 
filth 'of  intemperance  and  became  a  scoffing  infidel.  "Let 
him  that  thinketh  he  standeth,  take  heed  lest  he  fall."  Elder 
B.  T.  Kirby  was  a  native  of  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C. 
Date  of  his  birth  unknown.  Said  to  be  very  respectably 
•connected. 


Landrum,  Elder  John  Gill  was  a  member  of  the  Broad 
River  Association,  first,  in  the  session  at  Buck  Creek  church 
in  1831.  Preached  the ■  Associational  sermon  under  an  ap- 
pointment, the  next  year  at  Sandy  Run.  '•The  righteous 
shall  flourish  like  the  Palm  Tree,  he  shall  grow  like  a  Cedar 
in  Lebanon."  (Psalms  xcii.  12.)  He,  with  Dr.  J.  W.  Lewis, 
represented  the  Mount  Zion  church  in  1833,  at  Long  Creek, 
when  said  church  was  dismissed  from  the  Broad  River  to 
aid  in  the  formation  of  the  Tvger  River  Association.  With 
that  body  he  became  identified  in  its  organization  in  1833, 
and  continued  to  be  a  worthy  and  prominent  member  until 
it  was  disbanded  in  1876,  by  the  organization  of  the  Spar- 
tanburg Association.  With 'which  body  he  acted  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  took  place  January  19th,  1882. 

Elder  Landrum,  was  a  good  man,  and  popular  preacher; 
very  attractive  in  his  manners  and  gestures,  had  a  fine  flow 
ot  language,  and  seemed  never  to  be  at  a  loss  in  the  selection 
ot  the  best  words  to  put  his  ideas  or  thoughts  in  good  dress, 
In  conversation,  he  excelled  nearly  all  others,  his  colloquial 
talents  being  of  the  first  and  finest  order,  he  by  general  con- 
sent took  the  lead,  and,was  always  admired  by  his  listeners. 
He  had  a  warm  sympathetic  heart,  and  was  liberal  in  his 
views,  and  although  a  strict  Baptist,yet  he  was  very  respectful 


440  BIOGKAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

toward  those  who  differed  with  him  in  sentiment.  Which) 
liberal  feeling,  we  think  was  properly  reciprocated  toward 
him  generally  by  his  religious  opponents.  He  often  preach- 
ed in  pedo-baptist  pulpits,  while  his  discourses  were  well 
received  by  all. 

We  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Spartanburg  Asso- 
ciation— session  of  1882,  the  following  proceedings; 

"Dr,  Dean  from  Committee  on  Memorial  Exercises,, 
read  his  report. 

Bro.  H.  P.  Griffith  said; 
"This  is  the  second  time  within  the  last  fifty  years  when  the- 
form  of  Land  rum  was  not  seen  among  us.  We  have  abundant  reason 
to  thank  God  that  John  Landrum  ever  lived.  He  was  great  in  his 
piety,  his  nobleness,  purity,  and  his  humility,  and  was  equal  to  any 
emergency.  He  was  an  uncompromising  Baptist,  without  a  parti- 
cle of  bigotry.  He  was  fifty-three  years  in  the  pulpit,  died  without 
a  blot  on  his  character,  and  has  left  his  impress  on  many  an  enter- 
prise that  is  to  flourish  still." 

Bro.  Manly,  who  only  knew  Bro.  Landrum  in  the  last 
years  of  his  life,  said  he  desired  to  bear  an  humble  part  in 
these  exercises,  and  asked  that  Bro.  T.  J.  Earle  should  say 
something.     Bro.  Earle  said  : 

"I  recall  the  fact  that  Bro.  Landrum  has  done  a  great  work  in 
building  up  the  churches  in  Greenville  as  well  as  Spartanburg  coun- 
ty. 1  was  his  son  in  tbe  ministry.  In  his  private  relations  he  was 
one  of  the  best  men  I  ever  knew.  His  most  effectual  preaching  was 
perhaps  with  families,  and  he  was  always  faithful  in  performing  his 
obligations  to  his  churches." 

Bro.  R.  H.  Griffith  spoke  as  the  representative  of  the 
Baptists  of  the  whole  State,  and  in  their  behalf  he  desired  to 
place  a  wreath  upon  the  grave  of  Bro.  Landrum.  He  is  still 
living  in  the  hearts  and  memories  of  those,  and  for  those  for 
whom  he  lived  and  labored.  It  is  our  business  now  to  take 
up  the  work  where  he  left  it  and  carry.it  on  to  greater  suc- 
cess. 

Bro.  Landrum  Ezell  said  (Dr.  Manly  in  the  chair)  : 

"The  main  characteristics  of  Bro.  Landrum  was  to  preach  the 
Gospel  and  educate  the  people.  When  we  shall  have  educated  the 
children  of  our  country,  then  we  have  opened  the  avenue  of  chris- 
tian success,  and  accomplished  one  of  the  grand  purposes  of  Bro. 
Landrum's  life." 

Dr.  Whitfield  wisbed  it  might  have  been  his  privilege  to  know 
Bro.  Landrum  personally.  Rejoices  that  he  knows  him  through 
the  churches  he  built  up  and  the  work  he  has  done.  It  is  an  un- 
speakable blessing  of  God  that  He  has  given  us  such  a  man. 

Bro.  Richard  Woodruff  said  : 

"I  may  be  allowed  to  say  more  than   others.    Bro.  Landrum 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  441 

baptized  me  ;  he'ordained  me  ;  he  married  me.  He  rests  now  from 
his  labors,  and  his  works  are  following  him.  He  has  laid  down  the 
implements  of  his  warfare  and  is  now  singing  praises  around  the 
throne  on  high." 

The  Memorial  Report,  as  read  by  Dr.  Dean,  was  adopt- 
ed unanimously,  and  is  as  follows  : 

Whereas,  It  has  pleased  Almighty  God,  in  His  All-wise  Prov- 
idence, to  remove  from  our  midst  and  his  field  of  earthly  labor  our 
dearly  beloved  brother,  Rev.  J.  G.  Landrum,  and  take  him  to  that 
heavenly  rest  which  he  had  spent  his  life  to  the  various  flocks  com- 
mitted to  his  care  ;  and  whereas,  his  death  takes  from  us  one  of  the 
old  landmarks  of  the  last  generation,  and  leaves  a  breach  in  out- 
hearts  that  time  and  grace  from  on  high  alone  can  heal.     Therefore, 

Resolved,  1.  That  in  the  death  of  Rev.  J.  G.  Landrum,  the 
Spartanburg  Baptist  Association  has  lost  its  most  gifted  and  jjowei- 
ful  minister,  the  most  devoted  pastor  and  wise  counselor. 

Resolved,  2,  That  we  feel  his  loss  in  our  Association,  in  our 
churches,  and  at  our  firesides  ;  and  while  our  hearts  bleed  and  our 
heads  are  bowed  down  in  grief,  knowing  that  we  shall  see  his  face 
no  more  on  earth,  we  will  not  murmur  at  this  Divine  dispensation, 
but  submitting  ourselves  to  God's  gracious  providence,  exclaim,  Thy 
will  be  done. 

Resolved,  3.  That  in  the  life  and  labors  of  this  good  man  the 
cause  of  Christ  in  this  county  and  State  has  been  greatly  strength- 
ened, and  the  influence  of  his  earnest  and  devoted  work  in  the  cause 
of  Christ  will  be  felt  in  years  to  come. 

Resolved,  4.  That  this  Association  raise  a  memorial  fund,  to  be 
known  as  the  Landrum  Memorial  Chair,  to  be  applied  to  educational 
purposes,  as  this  Association  may  deem  most  expedient. 
Respectfully  submitted. 

G.  R.  Dean, 

W.  T.  Wilkins, 
J.  M.  Brian, 

Committee. 
Elder  John  G.  Landrum  more  than  any  other  man  will 
be  missed  hy  the  churches  and  Associations  where  he  so 
faithfully  labored  for  the  last  half  a  century.  His  labors 
were  not  "few  and  far  between  :"  he  baptized  more  persons, 
solemnized  the  rites  of  matrimony  between  a  greater  num- 
ber of  parties,  and  preached  more  funeral  sermons  (to  say 
nothing  of  his  pastoral  labors)  than  any  minister  that  ever 
operated  in  the  section  of  country  where  he  lived  and  died. 
VVe  hope,  however,  that  his  mantle  may  have  providentially 
fallen  upon  some  worthy  young  men,  who  may  properly  be 
called  his  sons  in  the  Gospel,  and  the  good  work  so  well  be- 
gun and  carried  on  by  him  while  living,  may  yet  be  contin- 
ued and  fully  consummated  by  his  successors,  now  that  he 
is  dead  and  srone  to  his  reward.  That  our  readers  may  be 
56 


442  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

enabled  to  know  more  of  the  history  and  virtues  of  this  no- 
ble christian  minister,  we  avail  ourself  of  the  privilege  of 
reproducing  the  sketch  of  his  life  and  labors,  by  H.  P.  Grif- 
fith, as  published  in  the  Baptist  Courier,  which  is  here  sub- 
joined, with  the  expectation  that  it  will  be  carefully  perused 
by  his  many  friends. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  about  five  feet  ten  inches 
in  height :  in  later  years  inclining  somewhat  to  corpulency  ; 
would  weigh  something  over  two  hundred  pounds ;  had  a 
massive  head,  covered  in  early  life  with  dark  hair ;  eyes 
deep  blue,  prominent  brows,  and  forehead  of  much  dignity, 
with  a  countenance  very  pleasant  and  handsome. 

SKETCH  OF  ELDER  JOHN  G.  LANDRUM,  BY  H.  P.  GRIFFITH. 

Rev.  John  G.  Landrum  was  che  son  of  Rev.  Merimon  Landrum, 
who  emigrated  from  Union  District  [as  it  was  then  called,]  S.  C.,to 
Williamson  county,  Middle  Tennessee,  in  the  year  1806,  where  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  born,  on  the  22d  of  October,  1810.  The 
precise  place  of  his  birth  is  about  thirty  miles  south  of  Nashville. 
His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Delilah  Jackson,  a  pious,  consecra- 
ted woman,  who  early  impressed  lessons  of  religion  and  moral  obli- 
gation upon  her  son,  which  no  doubt  did  more  towards  moulding 
his  character  and  shaping  the  coarse  of  his  life  than  all  the  other 
lessons  of  his  youth.  The  parents  were  not  wealthy,  but  in  easy 
pecuniary  circumstances.  They  belonged  to  what  might  be  called 
the  middle  class  of  society.  The  father  was  a  Baptist  preacher  of 
respectable  preaching  ability,  and  was  a  man  of  considerable  per- 
sonal influence,  both  as  a  minister  and  as  a  citizen.  The  country 
which  he  had  chosen  for  his  home  and  for  the  field  of  his  labors, 
was  then  a  frontier  country,  with  a  sparse  population,  and  full  of  all 
the  inconveniences  and  drawbacks  that  were  usually  found  by  the 
early  settlers  of  the  West.  Lands  had  to  be  cleared,  houses  built, 
roads  opened,  and  all  the  machinery  of  newly-organized  neighbor- 
hoods looked  after  and  put  in  running  order,  while  many  of  the 
common  necessities  of  civilized  life  were  not  to  be  had  except  at 
great  cost  of  time  and  money.  But  the  good  man  and  his  wife  had 
entered  the  western  forest  with  brave  hearts,  and  they  were  not  be 
discouraged  or  intimidated  by  the  inconveniences  to  which  they 
were  sometimes  subjected,  or  the  hardships  which  they  sometimes 
endured.  The  husband  worked  on  the  farm  during  the  week,  and 
preached  as  he  could  collect  on  Sunday,  while  the  wife  did  all  of  her 
household  work,  and  made  the  new  home  musical  with  the  buzz  of 

the  spinning  wheel  and  the  clash  of  the  loom.  Later,  when  her 
children  had  arrived  at  proper  age  for  instruction,  she  would  gather 
the  little  household  around  her  on  Sunday  while  her  husband  was 
away,  and  impress  upon  them  such  lessons  as  she  could  draw  from 
the  open  Bible  and  from  the  unfathomable  depths  of  a  mother's 
love.  Her  son  often  alluded  to  these  lessons  in  after  life  as  beinu;  the 
very  ground-work  upon  which  his  character  rested  ;  and  to  the  end 
of  his  days  he  always  cherished  the  profoundest  love  and  venera- 
tion for  his  mother. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  443 

John  was  her  second  child,  her  oldest  being  a  daughter,  Eliza- 
beth by  name,  who  is  still  living,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven,  having 
made  Texas  her  home  for  many  years  past.  He  worked  on  the  farm 
up  to  the  time  of  his  father's  death,  with  few  or  no  opportunities  of 
going  to  school.  He  has  told  us  that  he  frequently  worked  hard  all 
day  on  the  farm  and  then  spun  three  cuts  at  night  for  his  mother. 
Many  of  our  lady  readers  will  comprehend  the  precise  meaning  of 
this  task  more  readily  without  an  explanation  than  with  one. 

About  the  year  1815,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Landrum  paid  a  visit  to  their 
friends  in  South  Carolina,  and  little  John,  then  five  or  six  years  old, 
actually  rode  behind  his  mother  on  horseback  through  the  whole 
journey  of  over  500  miles.  Ten  years  after  this  visit  the  husband 
and  father  died  very  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  in  the  rnidst*>f  act- 
ive labors.  This  blow  fell  heavily  upon  the  devoted  family,  but  the 
noble  wife  did  not  sink  under  it.  She  rose  in  power  and  resources 
as  difficulties  and  troubles  gathered  around  her,  and  the  next  we 
hear  of  her  son,  he  is  under  the  instruction  of  a  private  teacher  em- 
ployed by  Gov.  Cannon,  and  she  is  nobly  paying  his  expenses  by 
working  with  her  own  hands  for  the  Governor's  household.  His 
progress  in  his  studies  under  this  teacher  is  said  to  have  been  aston- 
ishingly rapid,  so  much  so  as  to  excite  the  envy  of  his  fellow-students, 
and  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  community.  About  this  time  he 
formed  the  acquaintance  of  James  K.  Polk,  then  a  young  lawyer  in 
Nashville,  and  the  acquaintance  seems  to  have  ripened  into  some- 
thing like  intimacy,  for  we  hear  of  Polk  spending  a  night  with  him 
at  his  mother's  house,  and  of  their  occupying  the  same  bed  together. 
He  seems  to  have  cherished  an  ambition  at  this  time  to  become  a 
politician,  and  no  doubt  his  intercourse  with  the  ambitious  young 
lawyer  but  added  fuel  to  the  flame.  One  would  like  to  stand  awhile 
just  outside  the  room  door  of  that  old  farm  house,  fifty -six  years  ago, 
and  hear  the  young  lawyer  and  the  farmer  boy  talk  about  their 
plans  and  hopes  for  future  life.  The  one  no  doubt  already  had  his 
heart  set  on  popular  honors  and  his  ear  entranced  with  the  "whis- 
tling of  a  name  ;"  the  other  was  feeling  in  his  heart  the  first  bound- 
ing impulses  of  youthful  ambition — the  first  purposeless  strugglings 
of  a  spirit  half  conscious  of  inherent  greatness — and  he  was  medita- 
ting, revolving,  speculating,  dreaming,  and  ever  and  anon  perhaps 
gazing  with  something  like  superstitious  awe  out  upon  the  wide 
gulf  that  lay  between  him  and  ambition's  glittering  goal.  The  paths 
of  the  two  bedfellows  soon  widely  diverged.  One  passed  through 
Legislatures  and  Senates  up  to  the  chief  magistracy  of  a  great  repub- 
lic ;  the  other  through  humiliation  and  self-denial  to  his  stand  on 
the  watch-tower  of  Zion,  from  which  for  fifty-three  years  he  pro- 
claimed the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  a  dying  world.  As  a  further 
evidence  that  John  G.  Landrum  at  one  time  meditated  becoming  a 
statesman,  it  is  related  that  he  was  always  fond  of  popular  assem- 
blies, and  when  his  father  would  send  him  to  Nashville  on  business, 
he  would  visit  the  State  House  and  listen  with  deep  interest  to  the 
debates  going  on  there.  Upon  tme  occasion  he  became  so  absorbed 
t 


444  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

that  he  remained  till  adjournment,  and  was  so  late  reaching  home 
that  his  father  became  uneasy  and  went  out  to  meeet  him  on  the  road. 
He  frankly  owned  up  to  the  cause  of  his  delay,  and  instead  of  a  rep- 
rimand, received  caresses  from  his  father.  On  one  occasion,  while 
in  Nashville,  he  saw  Andrew  Jackson  and  David  Crockett;  at  an- 
other time  he  saw  LaFayette  and  Jackson  riding  together  through 
the  streets.  All  these  sights  and  associations  were  well  calculated 
to  excite  in  a  boy  of  ardent  temperament  the  liveliest  aspirations  for 
political  distinction.  But  such  aspirations  were  soon  lost  in  what 
lie  considered  a  stronger  and  more  imperative  call  to  a  higher  sphere 
of  duty.  The  death  of  his  father  made  a  profound  impression  upon 
him,  and  led  him  to  think  seriously  of  his  obligation  to  God,  and 
the  da*ger  to  which  his  own  soul  was  exposed.  In  a  letter  written 
several  years  ago  he  said  : 

"I  was  brought  to  feel  deeply  my  lost  condition  as  a  sinner  at  the 
time  of  my  father's  sudden  and  unexpected  death  ;  and  in  a  few 
months  I  was,  I  trust,  enabled  to  believe  with  all  my  heart  on  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  was  upon  a  public  profession  of  that  faith 
baptized  bv  Elder  William  Moody,  and  united  with  the  Baptist 
church  at  Mount  Pleasant,  of  which  my  father  was  the  pastor  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  I  had,  soon  after  my  conversion,  impressions  to 
preach  the  Gospel,  but  if  I  did  not  resist  them  I  certainly  strove  to 
postpone  any  attempt  to  speak  for  God  publicly,  or  to  communicate 
my  feelings  to  my  most  intimate  or  confidential  friends." 

When  about  seventeen  years  old,  and  while  under  the  influence 
of  the  feelings  as  mentioned  above,  it  was  decided  that  he  should 
pay  a  short  visit  to  his  relatives  in  South  Carolina.  So  he  bade  adieu 
to  his  mother  and  sisters,  expecting  to  return  in  a  short  time  ;  but 
the  old  farm  house  was  never  to  claim  him  as  one  of  its  inmates 
again,  and  the  family  circle  was  henceforth  to  have  one  missing  link 
forever. 

As  his  mother  may  be  mentioned  no  more  in  the  progress  of  this 
sketch,  we  will  state  here  that  she  died  only  about  ten  years  ago,  at 
the  advanced  age  of  ninety.  She  lived  to  see  the  little  seeds  she 
had  sown  in  faith  and  consecrated  with  prayer  and  tears,  spring  up 
and  bear  fruit  more  than  a  hundred  fold.  Her  grateful  son  visited 
her  occasionally  as  time  and  opportunity  would  permit,  and  never 
forgot  as  long  as  he  lived  to  send  her  every  year  some  pledge  of  filial 
affection,  some  token  of  grateful  remembrance.  It  was  not  long 
that  she  had  had  the  control  of  her  boy.  But  in  the  short  period  of 
a  few  fleeting  years,  like  the  mother  of  Moses,  she  prepared  him  to 
be  a  leader  in  Israel.  She  laid  the  foundations  of  a  character  that 
could  not  be  shaken  by  all  the  tempests  of  life  ;  no,  nor  by  all  the 
powers  of  darkness.  Think  of  her,  ye  mothers,  whose  patience  is 
worn,  whose  spirits  are  weary,  whose  lives  are  a  daily  scene  of  toil, 
by  reason  of  the  little  crying  ones  that  cling  to  your  skirts  !  Think 
of  her,  ye  fathers,  that  doat  on  your  boys,  and  exert  yourselves  to 
give  them  all  the  advantages  of  liberal  culture,  while  your  girls  are 
left  to  grow  up  like  the  wild  flowers  of  the  fields  and  forests  !     And 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  445 

ye  law-makers  that  annually  vote  away  thousands  of  the  people's 
/money  to  sustain  and  build  up  male  schools  and  colleges,  without 
-ever  saying  one  word  about  the  education  of  our  daughters, — think 
what  one  noble,  cultivated,  consecrated  woman  is  capable  of  duing 
for  the  country,  for  humanity,  for  God  ! 

When  John  G,  Landrum  appeared  in  Union  county,  S.  C,  on 
the  visit  just  mentioned,  he  was  seventeen  or  eighteen  years  old, 
pale  and  slender,  and  from  accounts,  anything  but  prepossessing  in 
manners  or  appearance. 

We  had  a  conversation  about  a  year  ago  with  a  gentleman  who 
lives  in  the  Padgett's  Creek  community,  in  Union  county,  who 
iiaid  :  "I  remember  distinctly  the  first  time  I  ever  saw  John  Lan* 
drum.  It  was  at  a  militia  muster,  and  he  was  beating  a  drum,  with 
■a  crowd  of  boys  around  him.  He  was  a  stranger  to  me,  and  upon 
dnquiry  I  was  told  it  was  young  Landrum,  from  Tennessee.  I  was 
very  unfavorably  impressed  with  his  appearance  and  demeanor,  and 
was  astonished  to  hear  soon  afterwards  that  he  was  trying  to  get  rid 
of  impressions  to  preach,  and  that  it  was  for  that  purpose  mainly 
that  he  had  left  Tennessee." 

Whether  what  this  gentleman  heard  had  any  foundation  or  not, 
I  am  not  able  to  say.  The  visit  was  always  mentioned  hy  himself 
as  a  visit  to  his  relatives.  In  a  letter  already  quoted  from,  we  find 
in  his  own  hand  this  sentence  :  "I  decided  after  great  conflict  of 
mind  and  prayerful  anxiety  to  allow  the  leadings  of  my  long  pent- 
up  impressions  to  preach  the  Gospel  of  our  blessed  Savior  to  lost 
sinners." 

Though  in  this  statement  he  speaks  of  the  conflict  of  mind  as 
being  great,  yet  there  is  nothing  in  it  that  would  imply  that  it  was 
so  great  that  it  drove  him  away  from  his  home  in  Tennessee ;  neither 
has  he  left  on  record  anything  that  would  lead  us  to  such  a  conclu- 
sion.    Still  there  are  some  things  connected  with  that  visit  to  South 
■Carolina  which  we  would  like  to  have  more  fully  explained.    It  is 
•certainly  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  a  boy  seventeen  years  old  should 
under  ordinary  circumstances  pay  a  visit  to  relatives  in   another 
Wtate.     But  that  a  boy,   devoted  to  his  mother  and  to  a  family  de- 
pendent in  a  great  measure  upon  him  for  a  support,  should  undertake 
a  journey  of  five  hundred  miles  on  horseback,   through  a    wild, 
broken,  and  sparsely  settled  country,  solely  for  the  sake  of  visiting 
relatives  that  he  had  never  seen  but  once — and  that  when  he  was 
too  young  to  form  much  of  an  attachment  to  them— seems  just  a  lit- 
tle improbable.    We  naturally  look  for  some  stronger  motive  than  a 
desire  to  see  distant  relatives,  whose  faces  must  have  almost  faded 
from  his  memory,  to  prompt  such  a  boy  to  perform  such  a  journey 
under  such  circumstances.     And  when  the  report  spreads  abroad 
immediately  on  his  arrival  in  South  Carolina,  that  he  is,  like  Jonah, 
running  from  a  call  to  preach,  we  are  more  than  half  inclined  to 
give  it  credence,— because  we  can  see  no  other  reason  for  his  appear- 
ance in  this  State  that  exactly  satisfies  us.     But  if  it  Was  true  that 
he  was  trying  to  play  the  role  of  Jonah,  like  his  prototype  he  found 


440  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES'. 

that  God  could  follow  him  and  could  speak  to  him  in  tones  just  as-1 
imperative  in  South  Carolina  as  in  Tennessee  ;  even  though  he  took, 
the  wings  of  the  morning  and  flew  to  the  uttermost  parts  of  the- 
earth,  there  was  no  escape  from  His  presence. 

Before  he  had  been  in  Union  many  weeks,  it  wasdecided  that  he 
should  remain  a  year,  and  attend  the  school  of  John  Bostick,  an  ed- 
ucated Elglishman,  who  was  teaching  in  the  neighborhood. 

Brother  Landrum  pronounced  this  man  "a  capital  English, 
teacher,"  and  added,  "with  him  I  completed  what  was  then  con- 
sidered a  good  English  education."  He  lived  during  this  year, 
which  was  1829,  in  the  house  of  his  uncle,  Rev.  Thomas  Ray,  who 
Was  a  pious,  consecrated  Baptist  Preacher,  and  who  took  him  to  his- 
bosom  with  more  than  paternal  affection.  Thomas  Ray  was  then 
an  old  man,  and  had  been  a  preacher  from  his  youth.  He  was  a 
man  of  moderate  preaching  ability, but  of  fervent  piety  and  unspotted 
character.  His  heart  was  full  to  overflowing  with  love  to  God  and 
man,  and  being  possessed  of  charming  manners  and  a  most  genial 
nature,  literally  dispensed  joy  and  sunshine  wherever  he^went.  He- 
was  very  fond  of  jokes  and  anecdotes,  and,  while  he  studiously 
avoided  them  in  the  pulpit,  he  would  enliven  the  social  circle  for 
hours  at  a  time  with  the  rich  fund  of  humorous  stories  that  he  al- 
ways had  on  hand.  Especially  was  he  fond  of  telling  ancedotes  up- 
on himself,  generally  of  his  blunders  and  failures  as  a  preacher. 
Whatever  circumstance  or  adventure  that  showed  himself  to  a  dis- 
advantage or  made  him  appear  ridiculous,  he  would  tell  with  great 
zest  and  enjoy  with  huge  delight.  Rev.  M.  C.  Barnett,  in  bis  history 
of  the  Broad  River  Association,  tells  the  following  anecdote,  which 
he  says  Ray  used  to  tell  on  himself: 

"At  some  place  where  he  was  a  stranger,  he  was  invited  to  preach, 
and  he  said  he  made  a  very  bungling  discourse.  However,  when  he 
came  out  of  the  stand,  some  brother  came  to  him  and  insisted  that 
he  should  visit  them  again.  'Ah,  said  brother  Ray,  you  need'nt  in- 
sist on  that,  for  I  intend  to  come  back.  Jean  beat  thatpreach  and  J 
intend  to  do  it  /' 

'Oh,'  said  the  brother,  'you  have  the  best  voice  that  I  ever  heard. 
I  think  you  might  have  been  heard  a  half  mile.'  'Yes,'  said  brother 
Ray,  T  used  to  think  it  was  the  thunder  that  killed  the  trees,  but  I 
have  since  learned  that  it  is  the  lightening.' 

The  same  writer  adds  :  'I  have  thought  that  he  was  the  most 
delightful  companion  I  ever  saw.' 

He  was  a  tall,  portly,  dignified  looking  man,  with  something  of 
the  kingly  air,  and  he  inspired  one  at  first  sight  with  feelings  of  re- 
spect and  veneration.  If  he  was  not  an  able  man  in  the  pulpit,  he 
had  the  good  sense  to  know  it,  and  to  know  moreover,  wherein  his 
great  power  lay.  His  blamelsss  life,  his  love  for  Christ,  his  social 
influence,  his  fireside  talks,  were  all  so  many  sources  of  power  upon 
which  he  drew  largely  and  constantly. 

HeAvasasound  business  man,  and  accumulated  considerable 
property,  and  cared  very  little  whether  his  churches  paid  him  for 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  447 

[preaching  or  not.  He  traveled  altogether  on  horseback,  and  never 
mounted  a  horse  that  was  not  worthy  of  a  knight.  When  he  had 
supplied  the  Bethel  church,  iu  Spartanburg  county,  twenty  miles 
from  home,  for  a  year,  and  when  at  the  end  of  the  year  he  received 
twelve  dollars  from  the  brethren  for  his  year's  work,  be  laughed  and 
said,  'well  brethren,  that  will  buy  me  a  new  saddle.'  He  lived  to 
be  eighty-three  years  old  and  died  suddenly.  He  was  well  and 
(hearty  at  supper,  and  before  midnight  a  corpse." 

We  have  made  this  seeming  digression,  because  we  think  he 
"was  the  man  more  than  all  others  that  encouraged  and  strenghed 
John  G.  Landrum,  at  a  time  when  he  neededalltheaid  that  human 
sympathy  and  christian  affection  could  bestow.  God  made  Lan- 
drum a  preacher  through  the  instrumentality  of  his  mother  and 
Thomas  Ray.  I  think  too,as  we  proceed  with  this  sketch,  we  shall  find 
that  the  latter  impiessed  upon  him  some  principles  and  sentiments 
4hat  clung  to  him  through  life — gave  some  of  the  finishing  strokes 
to  a  character  that  stood  the  tests  of  fifty-three  years  and  elicited 
nothing  but  the  warmest  love  and  admiration. 

While  attending  the  school  of  John  Bostick,  in  the  year  1829, 
Landrum  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Baptist  church  at  Padgett's 
creek  ;  he  was  then  in  the  19th  year  of  his  age,  was  pale  and  thin, 
and,  to  human  eyes,  seemed  destined  to  an  early  grave.  Mr.  Wesley 
Hollis,  who  lives  near  Padgett's  creek,  told  us  about  a  year  ago  that 
he  remembered  Landrum's  first  sermon.  He  spoke  of  it  as  being 
powerful  and  unexpected — almost  like  a  clap  of  thunder  from  a 
-cloudless  sky,  and  as  making  the  profoundest  impression  on  the 
•church  and  congregation.  The  effort  was  repeated  again  and  again, 
and  during  the  year  he  made  several  visits  with  his  Uncle  Ray  to 
other  churches  more  or  less  distant,  and  he  began  to  be  known  and 
talked  about  over  a  considerable  scope  of  country.  During  all  this 
time  he  was  applying  himself  assiduously  to  his  studies  in  school, 
and  men  predicted  that  his  frail  bodily  powers  would  soon  sink 
wndersevere  mental  application,  coupled  with  the  extraordinary 
y.eai  he  was  accustomed  to  display  in  the  pulpit.  But  how  little  do 
anen  know !  The  spirit  was  rooting  itself  in  a  congenial  soil,  and 
ere  long  the  hues  of  health  began  to  tinge  the  pallid  cheeks,  the 
narrow  chest  began  to  expand,  and  men  wondered  again  when  they 
saw  the  frail,  slender  boy,  in  spite  of  his  course  of  life  and  their  pre- 
dictions, developing  rapidly  into  a  man  of  portly  frame  and  robust 
health. 

The  usual  form  of  the  pulpit  then  was  only  a  square,  deep  box, 
mounted  on  an  elevated  rostrum  ;  and  there  is  a  lingering  tradition 
about  Woodruff  that  Phili  p  Pilgrim,  an  old  member  of  the  Bethel 
ehurch,  upon  one  occasion  had  to  procure  a  block  of  wood  for  Lan- 
drum to  stand  on,  so  that  he  might  be  able  to  look  his  congregation 
hi  the  face.  We  mentioned  this  story  to  Bro.  Landrum  several  years 
ago,  and  asked  him  if  there  was  any  foundation  for  it.  He  replied, 
4 T  think  not;  I  have  no  recollection   of  any  such  things  having 


US  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES', 

been  done.  I  know  that  I  was  exceedingly  thin  and  slender;  brat  3T 
think  I  was  about  as  tall  as  I  am  now,  and  up  to  the  ordinary  stand- 
ard of  height."  Father  Ray,  as  he  was  called,  on  his  superb  horse 
continued  his  monthly  visits  to  the  Bethel  church  for  a  good  many 
years.  Whether  the  brethren  there  ever  got  to  thinking  it  their 
duty  to  do  more  than  keep  him  in  saddles  or  not,  we  are  not  able  to* 
tell.  We  know,  however,  that  the  descendants  of  those  old  brethren* 
are  as  noble  and  liberal  a  band  of  christians  as  the  country  affords* 
and  we  mean  no  disrespect  to  the  memory  of  their  ancestors  and 
ours  when  we  make  such  a.llusions  to  the  history  of  the  past.  The.- 
old  pastor  had  told  his  flock  at  Bethel  that  he  was  going  to  bring  up 
with  him  from  Union  a  "little  boy-preacher,"  who  would  astonish 
them  ;  and  expectation  and  curiosity  were  running  high  when  Lan- 
drum,  in  company  with  his  uncle,  made  his  first  appearance  at  that 
church.  There  are  those  living  that  well  remember  both  the  visit 
and  the  sermon,  and  they  give  unanimous,  testimony  to  the  fact  that 
expectation,  high  as  it  was,  was  more  than  fully  met.  It  was  on  the 
return  home  from  this  church,  upon  one  occasion,  that  a  little  inci- 
dent occurred  which  showed  how  deep  and  genuine  was  the  interest 
felt  by  the  old  father  in  his  young  protege.  As  they  jogged  along  the 
level,  sandy  road  leading  from  Woodruff  to  Cross  Anchor,  the  old 
man,  usually  so  cheerful  and  jovial,  was  stern  and  silent.  In  vain; 
did  young  Landrum  attempt  to  draw  him  out,  by  remarks  upon  the 
country  through  which  they  were  passing,  the  weather,  the  resi- 
dences on  the  road-side,  and  any  number  of  common-place  topics-. 
If  answers  came  at  all  they  came  in  monosyllables,  and  in  such  a 
tone  as  to  quell  the  spirit  of  conversation.  The  result  was,  that  ere 
long  they  both  lapsed  into  profound  and  sullen  silence,  and  rode 
along  some  distance  side  by  side  without  either's  uttering  a  word. 
At  last  Landrum  exclaimed,  "Uncle  Ray,  I  can't  stand  this  any 
longer!  What  have  I  done  to-day  that  has  displeased  you?"  The 
old  man  then  affectionately  and  tenderly  reminded  him  of  some  lit- 
tle things  either  in  his  sermon  or  in  his  conversation  with  the 
brethren  which  he  regarded  as  improprieties  in  one  so  young  ;  then 
the  cloud  passed  away  from  his  brow,  and  the  rest  of  the  journey 
homewards  was  beguiled  with  lively  and  pleasant  conversation. 

With  the  close  of  the  year  1829  and  John  Bostick's  school,  Lan- 
drum's  school  days  were  at  an  end.  The  year  had  been  to  him  one 
of  severe  application.  He  had  not  only  applied  himself  faithfully 
and  diligently  to  his  text-books,  but  he  had  read  the  Scriptures  ex<- 
tensively.  and  had  eagerly  devoured  the  contents  of  whatever  other 
good  books  had  fallen  in  his  way,  besides  devoting  much  time  to 
the  preparation  of  sermons.  He  was  now  a  correct  speller,  a  good 
arithmetician  and  grammarian,  which  was  the  extent  of  what  was 
considered  a  "good  English  education."  It  was  a  good  foundation 
which  he  widened  and  deepened  in  after  years,  and  upon  which  he 
reared  the  structure  of  life-long  usefulness.  After  leaving  school  he 
was  employed  by  a  Mr.  Boyce,  of  Union  county,  to  teach  his  chil- 
dren, which  must  have  been  in  the  year  1830,   but  whether  he  still 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  449 

lived  in  the  house  of  his  uncle  or  with  his  employer,  we  have  not 
been  able  to  learn.  It  is  stated  that  Mr.  Boyee  had  two  sons  that 
were  wild  and  ungovernable,  and  fears  were  entertained  that  the 
young  teacher  would  prove  unequal  to  the  task  of  controlling  them. 
But  the  boys  soon  learned  to  love  and  obey  him,  and  he  performed 
his  duties  as  instructor  to  the  complete  satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 
He  was  still  a  diligent  student  himself,  devoting  most  of  his  spare 
moments  to  reading  and  study,  and  advanced  more  rapidly  than  any 
of  his  pupils. 

On  January  loth,  1831,  he  was  ordained  by  the  Padgett's  Creek 
church.  Rev.  Thomas  Ray  and  Rev.  Daniel  Mangum  officiating, 
and,  as  he  himself  expressed  it,  "clothed  with  all  the  functions  of 
an  ordained  minister  of  the  Gospel."  He  further  adds  :  "When  I 
received  this  solemn  commission  I  was  but  littie  over  twenty  years 
of  age."  The  energies  of  the  young  preacher  now  began  rapidly  to 
unfold  themselves,  and  his  character  was  formed — that  character 
which,  through  more  than  fifty  years  of  change  and  trial,  ever  main- 
tained its  strict  identity. 

About  this  time  Rev.  Thomas  Bonner,  a  good  man  and  excel- 
lent preacher,  who  had  long  been  the  pastor  of  Mount  Zion  and 
Bethlehem  churches,  in  Spartanburg  county,  fell  dead  while  in  the 
act  of  starting  to  church  on  Sunday  morning.  By  his  death  the 
churches  named  were  left  without  a  pastor,  and  Dr.  John  W.  Lewis, 
an  eminent  physician,  and  at  the  time  a  member  of  the  Legis- 
lature from  Spartanburg,  was  placed  at  the  head  of  a  committee  to 
look  out  for  some  man  to  take  the  place  of  the  lamented  Bonner. 
By  some  means  the  committee  found  their  way  down  to  Bethel, 
about  twenty  miles  south  of  Mount  Zion,  and  at  the  same  time  Lan- 
drum  accompanied  his  uncle  to  the  same  place  about  the  same  dis- 
tance north  of  Padgett's  ("reek. 

Whether  this  meeting  of  the  committee  with  Landrum  at  Bethel 
was  the  result  of  previous  concert  or  one  of  those  things  which  we, 
for  the  want  of  a  better  name,  call  accidental,  we  know  not.  We 
only  know  that  Lewis  and  his  committee  met  Landrum  at  Bethel, 
the  half-way  point  between  them,  heard  him  preach,  and  invited 
him  up  to  take  a  survey  of  the  field.  He  accepted  their  invitation, 
and  the  result,  was  he  was  called  to  supply  Mount  Zion  and  Bethle- 
hem churches,  during  the  same  month  perhaps  in  which  he  was  or- 
dained. He  accepted  these  calls  and  lived  with  Dr.  Lewis  several 
years,  we  think  we  have  been  told,  without  charge.  Dr.  Lewis  him- 
self soon  afterwards  became  a  preacher.  Bro.  Landrum,  in  his 
sketch  of  the  Tyger  River  Association,  pays  him  the  following  tri- 
bute: 

"Dr.  John  W.Lewis  resigned  his  seat  in  the  Legislature  of  South 
Carolina  in  the  year  1832,  for  the  Gospel's  sake.  He  bad  for  several 
years  been  a  member  of  Mount  Zion  church,  with  more  or  less  im- 
pressions to  preach  the  Gospel.  The  great  revival  of  religion  pre- 
vailing at  that  time  aroused  him  to  action.  He  was  licensed  in  1832 
and  ordained  to  preach  the  Gospel  the  following  year.  He  was  one 
57 


450  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

of  the  most  active  in  bringing  about  the  organization  of  the  Tyger 
River  Association,  and  for  some  years  was  clerk  of  that  body.  He 
Mas  an  educated  man,  of  extensive  reading  and  influence,  and  was 
an  able,  successful  aud  popular  preacher.  ******  He  pos- 
sessed much  of  the  goods  of  this  world,  and  was  greatly  prospered 
in  his  efforts  to  accumulate  ;  and  those  who  knew  him  best  will 
always  take  pleasure  in  according  to  him  much  benevolence  and 
liberality  of  spirit." 

We  must  be  allowed  the  privilege  of  saying  a  good  deal  about 
Bro.  Landrum's  friends,  for  a"  man  is  known  by  the  company  he 
keeps,"  and  his  life  and  life-work  were  so  interwoven  with  the  lives 
aud  works  of  others,  that  it  is  impossible  to  separate  them,  "j^o 
man  liveth  to  himself,  and  no  man  dieth  to  himself."  Though  he 
may  tower  far  above  the  multitude  in  intellectual  aud  moral  power, 
yet  in  all  the  ordinary  affairs  that  make  up  the  sum  of  every 
man's  life,  others  must  act  a  part— must  give  direction  and  coloring 
to  streams  that  mingle  in  the  tide  of  his  own  destiny. 

Bro.  Landrum's  life-work  had  now  begun  in  earnest.  He  opened 
a  school  at  Mount  Zion,  into  which  he  gathered  the  boys  and  girls 
of  the  neighborhood,  and  it  was  not  lorfg  before  his  reputation  as  a 
teacher  had  extended  beyond  his  immediate  locality,  and  pupils 
came  from  other  communities  to  avail  themselves  of  the  benefits  of  his 
instructions.  He  had  frequent  prayer-meetings  with  his  pupils,  read 
the  Bibledailyin  his  school,  preached  to  large  congregations  on  Satur- 
days and  Sundays,  and  frequently  during  the  week,  and  all  the 
time  added  to  his  own  store  of  information  by  extensive  reading, 
and  enlarged  his  own  intellectual  capacities  by  intense  application 
to  study.  Many  of  his  pupils  afterwards  reached  eminent  positions 
in  life.  Some  of  them  who  are  still  alive  and  in  distant  States, 
have  since  his  death  paid  graceful  and  becoming  tributes  to  his 
memory,  in  letters  filled  with  sweet  and  grateful  recollections  of  the 
long  atro.  "The  righteous  shall  be  held  in  everlasting  remem- 
brance." 

There  were  at  this  time  comparatively  but  few  churches  in  the 
upper  counties  of  South  Carolina,  and  they  were  situated  so  remote 
from  one  another  that  it  was  no  unusual  thing  to  find  whole  neigh- 
borhoods that  rarely,  if  ever,  heard  the  Gospel  preached.  The 
churches  that  did  exist  were  in  many  cases  extremely  weak,  and 
were  supplied  to  a  great  extent  with  preaching  which,  to  say  the 
least  of  it,  was" not  adapted  to  the  strengthening  of  the  faith,  nor  to 
the  promulgation  even  of  sound  Baptist  doctrines.  Under  this  state 
of  things  the  light  of  the  churches  nickered  faintly  and  feebly  amid 
the  surrounding  darkness,  and  the  struggles  of  the  noble  few  were 
less  for  growth  and  progress  than  for  very  existence  The  pros- 
pect was  indeed  well  calculated  to  discourage  a  less  ardent  christian 
than  John  G.  Landrum.  But  with  a  firm  trust  in  a  risen  Redeemer 
he  "Jaid  aside  every  weight,"  and,  "putting  on  the  whole  armor 
of  God,"  bent  every  energy  of  his  soul  to  the  great  work,  aud  a 
great  day  of  grace  was  at  hand. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  451 

In  August,  1831,  the  Saluda  Association  convened  with  the 
Brushy  Creek  church,  eight  miles  from  Greenville  C.  H.,  and  during 
the  meeting  there  began  a  revival  of  religion  which,  for  extent  and 
duration,  has  hardly  a  parallel  in  the  history  of  revivals.  Several 
eireumstauces  connected  with  the  beginning  of  this  revival  are 
worthy  of  notice.  One  was  tne  death  of  Rev.  Lewis  Hector,  which 
took  place  a  short  lime  before  its  commencement.  Lewis  Hector 
was  a  man  far  ahead  of  the  age  in  which  he  lived.  It  is  said  that 
he  had  the  hill-sides  on  his  farm  ditched  thirty  years  before  hill-side 
ditching  became  generally  known  and  practiced  in  this  part  of  the 
country.  He  was  also  a  man  of  powerful  iutellect  and  unquestioned 
piety.  He  had  preached  to  the  section  of  country  lying  along  the 
Southern  base  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  extending  as  far  south  as  the 
counties  of  Laurens,  Newberry  and  Union,  with  all  the  powers  of 
his  great  mind  and  with  all  the  fervor  of  bis  warm,  devoted  heart, 
ever  since  about  the  year  1800/  but  to  those  who  judged  by  the  im- 
mediate fruits,  his  preaching  had  seemed  almost  in  vain.  Yet  the 
good  old  man,  strong  still  in  the  faith ,» looked  ahead  into  the  unex- 
plored future,  and  just  before  he  died,  cried  out  as  if  suddenly  tilled 
the  spirit  of  prophecy  :  "A  great  revival  of  religion  is  near  at  hand. 
I  have  labored  and  prayed  for  it,  but  I  shall  not  live  to  see  it."  As 
Moses  from  the  top  of  Pisgah  looked  over  upon  the  sweet  fields  of 
Canaan,  so  from  the  last  mount  of  earthly  affliction  Lewis  Rector 
caught  a  sight  of  the  coming  harvest. 

.  Another  circumstance  connected  with  the  beginning  of  this 
revival  was  a  strange  phenomenon  in  nature.  The  rays  of  the  sun 
were  dimmed  by  a  dark  spot  on  his  disc,  visible  to  the  uatural  eye, 
and  men  who  were  not  alarmed  felt  humbled  as  under  the  finger  of 
God,  as  they  saw  the  pale,  sombre  hue  that  rested  on  the  whole  face 
of  creation.  The  ministers,  too,  eager  to  lay  hold  of  every  means 
adapted  to  the  awakening  and  humbling  of  sinners,  made  happy 
and  forcible  allusions  to  the  surrounding  scene.  Several  preachers 
were  there  from  Georgia,  who  had  recently  been  in  a  great  revival 
at  home,  and  all  thiugs  being  seemingly  ready,  the  great  work  be- 
gan. Landrum  was  there,  a  young  man  and  a  stranger.  But  he 
was  appointed  to  preach,  and  he  preached  with  a  power  that  aston- 
ished his  hearers,  and  caused  the  most  hardened  sinners  to  tremble. 
The  meeting  closed  on  the  fourth  day,  but  the  revival  extended  to 
other  parts  of  the  country,  and  continued  with'  little  or  no  abate- 
ment for  three  years.  During  this  time  men  and  women  rode  on 
horseback  fifteen,  twenty,  and  frequently  as  far  as  twenty-five  miles, 
to  hear  the  Gospel  preached ;  the  preachers  went  from  house  to 
house,  preached  from  stands  in  the  woods,  and  often  where  these 
rude  accommodations  were  wanting,  stood  under  the  spreading  oak 
'by  the  roadside,  and  "reasoned  of  righteousness,  temperance  and 
judgment  to  come." 

It  is  difficult  now  to  state  the  precise  results  of  this  revival. 
"Within  an  area  of  twenty  miles  square,  thirteen  new  churches  were 
formed,  while  the  old  ones  were  filled  to  overflowing.    It  is  safe  to 

t 


452  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

estimate  that  during  the  whole  period  there  were  added  to  these 
churches  between  two  or  three  thousaud  souls.  .  Nor  was  the  great 
work  confined  to  the  ignorant  and  excitable  ;  the  best  material  in 
the  country  was  gathered  into  the  folds  of  the  church,  and  a  new 
era  dawned  in  the  history  of  the  Baptists  of  upper  Carolina. 

We  get  several  glimpses  of  John  G.  Landrum  during  the  year 
1831,  which  revealed  the  fact  that,  young  as  he  was,  he  was  a  promi- 
nent actor  in  the  great  scenes  around  him.  The  Broad  River  Asso- 
ciation met  that  year  with  Buck  Creek  church,  and  the  historian  of 
that  Association,  Rev.  M.  C.  Barnett,  has  made  the  following  record: 
'  'The  name  of  John  G.  Landrum  now  appears  for  the  first  time 
as  a  member  of  this  Association.  He  was  at  this  time  quite  a  young 
men,  but  possessing  such  gifts  and  qualifications  as  a  minister  that 
the  Association  was  proud  of  him  almost  to  excess.  He  was  appoint- 
ed (perhaps  imprudently)  to  preach  on  the  Sabbath,  in  the  place  of 
old  and  experienced  ministers,  which  did  not  so  well  comport  with 
the  Scriptural  instruction  in  reference  to  the  younger  being  subject 
to  the  elder.  However,  he  did  not,  as  I  have  been  told,  disappoint 
the  anxious  anticipations  of  his  brethren.  He  always  possesses  the 
power  of  making  great  efforts.  Some  men  fail  when  there  is  the 
greatest  anxiety  for  their  best  performance.  This  is  said  by  Alex- 
ander Campbell  to  have  been  a  weakness  of  Andrew  Broaddus,  of 
Virginia,  that  most  distinguished  ministers  of  the  gospel.  Lan- 
drum never  disappointed  the  expectations  of  his  friends  on  extraor- 
dinary occasions.  I  heard  .  him  preach  at  an  Association,  not 
fourteen  years  ago,  on  the  holiness  of  God:  His  thoughts  were 
sublime,  and  when  he  supported  his  position  by  a  quotation  from 
Isaiah'svision.  "Holy,  holy,,  holy,  is  the  Lord  of  host;  the  whole  earth 
is  full  of  His  glory,"  his  voice  echoed  over  the  hills  as  musical  as  the 
sound  of  a  dulcimer  sweet ;  while  it  fell  upon  the  ears  of  listening 
thousands  in  most  overpowering  eloquence,  making  it  another  one 
of  his  efforts  that  met  the  anticipations  of  his  brethren.  He  has 
now  been  in  the  ministry  between  forty  and  fifty  years.  Of  course 
his  sermons  are  m-ore  profound,  doctrinal  and  methodical  than  they 
were  in  his  younger  days,  but  whether  they  are  more  interesting  to 
the  common  listener  or  not  is  doubtful." 

The  above  paragraph  was  written  in  1871,  just  forty  years  from 
that  Association  at  Buck  Creek.  It  further  added  :  "Dr.  John  "W. 
Lewis  was  a  co-delegate  with  Landrum  at  this  meeting."  We  who 
often  listened  to  Landrum's  full  sounding  voice  and  felt  the  power 
of  the  stately  movements  of  his  sermons  before  large  audiences, 
knew  just  how  he  said  "holy,  holy,"  &c,  at  Buck  Creek,  fifty  years 
ago.  And  though  scholars  and  theologians  may  smile  atthe  thought, 
yet  the  remembrance  of  those  tones  awaken  strange  and  strong 
echoes  in  our  hearts  even  at  this  distant  day.  There  is  a  power  in 
simple  words  which  dry  scholarship  can  never  wield,  and  which 
mere  intellect  can  never  attain.  David  Garrick  said  he  would  give 
a  thousand  pounds  to  be  able  to  say  "Oh  !"  like  Whitetield  said  it ; 
and  the  Elder  Booth  turned  the  hilarity  of  a  gay  dinnerparty  into 
weeping  by  a  repetition  of  the  simple  words  of  the  Lord's  prayer. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  458 

p 
In  the  same  year  (1831)  Landruni  and  others  began  to  preach  in 

the  town  of  Spartanburg.  Spartanburg  now  numbers  nearly  five 
thousand  inhabitants  and  boasts  its  complement  of  churches,  schools 
■and  colleges  ;  but  it  is  believed  that  at  that  time  out  of  a  population 
of  probably  a  thousand  or  fifteen  hundred  there  was  but  one  professor 
■of  religion.  There  certainly  was  but  one  Baptist,  and  chat  one  a 
lady  of  upwards  of  seventy  years  of  age.  But  the  influence  of  the 
revival  started  at  Brushy  Creek  soon  began  to  be  felt,  not  definitely 
•at.  first,  but  vaguely  and  mysteriously.  The  manifestations  were 
allied  to  those  of  presentiment— that  unaccountable  feeling  which 
sometimes  weighs  heavily  upon  the  heart,  and  which  men  say  her- 
alds the  approach  of  mighty  events.  Au  observer  would  have  been 
struck  at  first  with  the  air  of  restlessness  worn  by  those  he  met ;  he 
would  have  seen  then  that  restlessness  settle  into  a  deep,  thoughtful 
solemnity  which  pervaded  the  entire  community,  and  he  would 
have  sought  in  vain  for  the  cause  in  any  outward  circumstance  or 
■condition.  It  wras  the  troubling  of  the  waters  of  the  pool  of  Bethesda 
by  the  angel  of  God.  When  Landruni  first  began  to  visit  the  town, 
he  preached  from  the  judge's  stand  in  the  court  house  ;  afterwards 
he  stood  under  the  branches  of  a  great  oak  near  by,  and  preached  to 
large  congregations  so  uncomfortably  situated  that  nothing  but  the 
intense  interest  of  the  occasions  could  have  held  them  together.  So 
thrilling  were  the  scenes  that  transpired  here,  that  the  spot  became 
enshrined  into  the  hearts  of  the  people,  and  some  were  known  to 
shed  tears  when  they  visited  it,  many  years  after  the  scenes  by  which 
it  was  hallowed  had  passed  away. 

Samuel  Gibson  and  Thomas  Bay,  of  the  Baptist,  and  Michael 
Dickson,  of  the  Presbyterian,  and  Charles  Smith,  of  the  Methodist 
church,  all  took  a  part  in  the  meetings  under  the  oak,  and  their 
labors  laid  the  foundations  of  the  present  Baptist,  Methodist  and 
Presbyterian  churches  in  Spartanburg.  But  to  Landruni  more  than 
to  any  one  else  does  the  Spartanburg  Bajitist  church  owe  its  origin. 
Several  of  the  citizens  were  baptized  during  the  meetings  mentioned ; 
then  several  of  the  members  of  the  Mount  Zion  church,  seven  milts 
distant,  were  persuaded  to  unite  with  them  ;  and  with  this  little 
band,  which  seemed  like  a  forlorn  hope  sent  out  iuto  a  land  of  dan- 
ger, a  church  was  organized  and  put  in  working  order.  For  years 
the  struggle  was  a  hard  one.  Satan's  emissaries  were  busy  at  work 
in  every  part  of  the  town,  and  wealth,  position  and  influence  gave 
them  countenance  and  encouragement.  Still  the  little  church  held 
together,  and  still  Landruni  met  with  it  once  a  month  and  preached 
as  only  Landruni  could  preach.  Actuated,  as  he  was  at  this  time, 
by  every  motive  that  could  animate  a  christian's  heart,  his  spirit 
rose  with  the  buoyancy  of  3-outh  and  hope  over  the  surrounding  dif- 
ficulties, and  he  boldly  assailed  the  very  doors  of  Satan's  strongest 
holds.  Then  the  little  stone  cut  outof  the  mountains  withouthands 
began  to  roll.  Some  who  had  been  loud  in  denunciations,  and  who 
had  indulged  in  many  a  coarse  jest  at  the  expense  of  the  preacher 
and  his  little  flock,  and  mauj'  others  who  had  stood  aloof  in  mere 


454  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

indifference,  now  came  forward  and  listened  attentively  to  the  words? 
of  life  ;  others  still,  who  came  out  of  cariosity  to  hear  the  preacher's- 
eloquence,  found  themselves  forgetting  alike  the  preacher  and  his 
eloquence,  in  the  all-absorbing  theme  of  salvation.  Additions  were 
made  to  the  church  from  time  to  time,  and  ere  long  these  additions 
included  persons  from  the  highest  circles  of  society,  among  whom, 
were  numbered  men  eminent  in  the  professions  of  medicine,  law 
and  literature.  Then  it  was  determined  to  build  a  house  of  worship, 
and  the  present  beautiful  church  edifice  arose  at  a  cost  of  about  ten 
thousand  dollars,  every  dollar  of  which  was  paid,  it  may  be  said,  by 
the  time  the  last  sound  of  the  hammer  had  died  away  on  the  moun- 
tain air. 

In  the  meantime  Spartanburg  had  grown  to  a  town  of  consider- 
able proportions,  and  other  denominations  had  entered  the  field  in 
force.  Wofford  College  was  established  within  its  limits,  with  an 
able  faculty,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Methodist  denomination,  and 
Landrum  saw  that  the  surrounding  circumstances  called  for  increased 
vigilance  and  renewed  efforts.  He  was  again  equal  to  the  occasion, 
and  maintained  the  soundness  and  purity  of  the  Baptist  faith  with 
the  same  earnestness  and  convincing  power  with  which  he  had  at 
first  stirred  the  depths  of  wickedness  and  shaken  the  foundations 
of  unbelief.  He  was  now  in  the  prime  and  vigor  of  manhood,  and 
his  mind  had  reached  the  full  maturity  of  its  powers.  The  fail  body 
which  had  been  thought  destined  to  an  early  grave,  as  if  it  had  been 
thrilled  by  the  glowing  fires  of  the  mind  or  animated  by  the  boundr 
iug  impulses  of  the  heart,  had  expanded  into  noble  proportions,  and 
was  capable  of  sustaining  almost  any  amount  of  mental  or  physical 
toil.  And  rarely  were  powers  of  endurance  subjected  to  severer 
trial,  for  the  demand  for  services  were  such  as  would  have  completely 
overwhelmed  any  man  of  ordinary  capacity  and  endurance.  He 
could  give  but  one  Saturday  and  Sunday  in  each  month  to  the  Spar- 
tanburg church,  with  an  occasional  night  or  evening  as  opportunity 
might  suggest.  The  remaining  Sundays  in  the  month  were  given 
to  as  many  churches,  scattered  over  a  wide  extent  of  territory  ;  and 
hVre  and  there  was  one  that  had  its  meeting  on  Tuesday  or  Wed- 
nesday, or  on  whatever  day  might  suit  the  convenience  of  the 
preacher.  In  passing  to  and  from  these  regular  charges,  there  was 
generally  a  series  of  appointments  to  fill  on  the  road  ;  and  indeed, 
whenever  it  was  known  that  Landrum  was  to  be  at  any  place  at 
any  time,  there  was  almost  sure  to  be  a  crowd  there  before  him, 
waiting  in  eager  expectation  for  his  appearance.  "When  he  entered 
the  door  of  a  church,  such  of  the  crowd  as  had  not  preceded  him 
pressed  immediately  after  him,  and  by  the  time  he  rose  in  the  pulpit 
everything  was  as  still  as  the  grave. 

To  those  who  knew  him  only  during  the  later  years  of  his  life, 
when  good  preachers  and  forcible  preaching  had  btcome  in  a  meas- 
ure common,  and  when  people  had  come  to  regard  both  with  the 
indifference  usually  generated  by  familiarity,  some  of  these  pictures 
may  seem  too  highly  colored.     But  as  the  writer  we  cherish  many 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  453 

< 

vivid  recollections,  brought  d<Avn  from  early  boyhood  of  illustrations 
•of  the  facts  just  mentioned.  Bro.  Landrum  preached  to  the  Spar- 
tanburg church  thirty-four  years  in  succession.  When  he  resigned 
in  1865,  the  ladies  of  the  town  presented  him  a  handsome  gold  watch 
and  chain  as  a  slight  token  of  ^heir  appreciation  of  his  long  and 
faithful  services. 

He  married  in  1836  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Montgomery,  who  was  in 
every  way  worthy  of  him,  and  with  whom  he  lived  as  happily  as 
man  can  live  on  this  earth,  until  she  was  removed  from  him  by 
death  in  1857,  leaving  him  six  children  for  whom  he  was  henceforth 
to  act  the  parts  of  both  father  and  mother.  About  the  time  of  his 
marriage  he  purchased  a  farm  near  Mount  Zion,  on  which  he  lived 
comfortably  and  independently.  Indeed  through  life  he  was  a  fine 
business  man.  Though  he  seemed  not  to  pay  much  attention  to 
worldly  affairs,  yet  he  held  his  business  well  in  hand,  and  under  his 
management  it  steadily  prospered,  and  his  worldly  substance  gene- 
rally increased. 

When  this  sketch  was  begun,  it  was  intended  to  make  it  com- 
prehensive enough  to  embrace  a  tolerably  full  account  of  the  labors 
of  his  life  ;  of  his  fifty-one  years  at  New  Prospect ;  his  fifty -two 
years  at  Mount  Zion  and  Bethlehem,  and  his  forty  years'  copnection 
with  the  Tyger  River  Association.  It  was  intended  also  to  make  a 
hasty  review  of  Baptist  progress  in  the  upper  part  of  our  State  during 
the  last  half  century,  and  to  notice  many  of  the  public  enterprises 
with  which  as  a  citizen  Landrum  was  identified,  and  upon  which 
he  left  the  impress  of  his  mind  and  character;  to  present  a  picture 
of  his  domestic  life  ;  to  record  many  of  his  fire-side  talks  ;  to  present 
.some  of  his  skeleton  sermons,  and  to  follow  him  as  faithfully  as  time 
and  circumstances  would  permit  through  all  the  changing  scenes  of 
his  active  and  glorious  life.  And  ample  materials  have  been  collected 
from  which  to  construct  the  story.  But  it  is  found  that  that  story 
would  extend  far  beyond  the  limits  which  The  Baptist  Courier  could 
be  expected  to  grant,  and  would  still  be  in  an  evanescent  form.  The 
materials  are  worthy  of  being  incorporated  into  a  volume,  and  the 
writer  of  this,  after  consulting  with  many  brethren  in  whose  judg- 
ment he  has  confidence,  has  determined  that  such  a  volume  shall  be 
written.  He  will  therefore  pass  over  a  period  of  fifty  years,  crowded 
with  religious  and  patriotic  enterprises,  with  which  Landrum  was 
more  or  less  indentified,  and  in  which  his  influence  was  felt  and 
acknowledged. 

During  this  period,  the  Tyger  River  Association  which  he  help- 
ed to  organize,  and  of  which  for  along  time- he  was  the  moving 
spirit,  was  formed,  assumed  proportions  bordering  on  the  gigantic, 
and  at  last  something  like  a  miniature  Roman  Empire  was  dismem- 
bered principally  by  its  own  weight ;  the  Furman  University,  of 
which  he  was  a  Trustee,  wras  located  at  Greenville,  and  reached  a 
high  degree  of  prosperity  ;  the  Limestone  Springs  Female  High 
School,  of  which  he  was  also  a  Trustee,  and  the  Johnson  Female 
University  arose  and  flourished  until  they  were  swept  away  by  the 


456  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

tide  of  war;  the  Theological  Seminary,  of  which  he  was  a  strong: 
supporter,  came  to  Greenville  on  its  noble  mission,  quickened  Bap- 
tist life,  and  gave  new  direction  to  Baptist  energies  in  our  State,  and 
then  removed  beyond  our  borders ;  the  Secession  Convention,  of 
which  he  was  a  member,  met  in  St.  Andrews'  Hall,  and  was  opened 
by  him  in  earnest,  solemn  prayer  ;  the  Spartanburg  and  Asheville 
Kailroad  was  projected  and  built,  and  in  consideration  of  his  ser- 
vices the  Directors  stamped  his  name  upon  the  enterprise  in  charac- 
ters more  lasting  than  the  iron  bars  that  link  the  summit  of  the- 
Blue  Ridge  to  the  Southern  coast ;  and  at  last  the  child  of  his  old 
age,  the  Cooper  Limestone  Institute,  arose  Phcenix-like  from  the 
ashes  of  war  and  destruction,  baptized  in  his  affections  and  conse- 
crated by  his  prayers.  These  are  some  of  the  monuments  to  his  in- 
dustry, his  benevolence  and  his  public  spirit. 

It  may  be  beneficial  to  some,  and  interesting  to  many,  to  notice 
more  particularly  some  of  the  leading  traits  ot  that  cbaracter  which 
has  stamped  itself  upon  so  many  of  the  public  enterprises  of  the  day, 
and  enshrined  itself  in  the  affections  of  our  entire  people.  These 
traits  are  soon  enumerated.  They  were  promptitude,  earnestness, 
originality,  honesty,  fixedness  of  purpose — all  coupled  with  christian 
faith,  fortitude  and  meekness.  His  manner  of  treating  a  subject  in 
the  pulpit  was  somewhat  similar  to  that  of  Dr.  Chalmers.  He  had 
but  few  points  in  a  discourse,  but  these  were  strong  ones,  around 
which  his  mind  seemed  to  move  as  if  on  hinges.  No  man  ever  un- 
derstood better  how  to  repeat  an  idea  in  ever-varying  forms  of  ex- 
pression>  each  one  of  which  advanced  in  regular  climax  towards  the 
point  of  culmination,  until  it  had  been  completely  driven  home  to 
tbe  hearts  and  understandings  of  his  hearers.  These  repetitions- 
were  sometimes  made  with  remarkable  effect.  The  writer  remem- 
bers when  a  little  boy  to  have  heard  him  preach  a  sermon  from  the 
text,  "Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth  ; 
yea,  saith  the  spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors  and  their 
works  do  follow  them."  He  gradually  rose  in  power  as  he  advanced 
with  his  subject,  and  carried  in  his  congregation  with  him.  Having 
asserted  tbe  proposition  that  the  works  of  the  pious  dead  follow 
them  here  on  earth  as  well  as  up  to  Heaven,  he  began  to  detail  as 
illustrations  some  of  tbe  scenes  of  the  great  revival  of  lS32-'33,  of 
which  he  himself  had  been  a  witness,  and  in  which  he  had  been  a 
prominent  actor.  He  told  of  one  convert  after  another  coming  to 
the  church  and  beginning  to  relate  his  experience  by  saying  he  was 
first  awakened  years  ago  by  a  sermon  preached  by  Lewis  Rector. 
And  then  another  would  come,  saying  :  "I,  too,  was  awakened  by 
Lewis  Rector,"  and  still  another,  saying  it  was  Lewis  Rector,  and 
when  the  meeting  closed  to  be  resumed  at  some  other  church,  it  was 
the  same  story— Lewis  Rector  !  Lewis  Rector!  "and,  I,"  exclaimed 
the  preacher,  "Well,  surely  Lewis  Rector's  works  are  following 
him."  It  is  impossible  to  give  on  paper  any  idea  of  the  effects  pro- 
duced in  that  case  by  the  continued  repetition  of  the  name  of  Lewis 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  437 

Rector  in  such  connections.  It  will  be  remembered  that  Lewis 
Rector  had  preached  all  his  life  without  seeing  many  taugible 
results. 

Bro.  Landrum  never  disappointed  his  congregations  if  it  was  in 
his  power  to  meet  them.  The  last  sermon  he  preached  at  Mount 
Zion  was  on  last  Xew  Year's  day.  The  ground  was  covered  with 
snow  to  the  depth  of  rive  or  six  inches,  while  a  chilling  northwind 
was  shaking  the  ice  from  the  trees,  and  driving  the  snow  through 
the  air  ;  yet  seventy -two  years  old,  as  he  was,  he  drove  seven  miles 
that  morning  to  meet  his  appointment.  On  his  way  he  overtook  an 
orphan  boy  on  foot,  making  his  way  to  church.  He  took  him  into 
his  buggy  and  said,  "Will,  I'll  have  one  to  hear  me  preach,  if  no 
more."  But  his  congregation  that  day  was  respectable  in  numbers, 
for  they  knew  he  would  be  there.  He  was  not  only  punctual  to  his 
appointments  abroad,  but  equally  so  to  his  appointments  at  home. 
The  family  knew  the  day  and  the  hour  of  his  return,  and,  if  not 
kept  away  by  providential  hindrances,  he  was  sure  to  be  there.  So 
there  is  something  approaching  to  truth  in  the  assertion,  paradoxi- 
cal as  it  may  seem,  that  he  was  more  at  home  and  more  away  from 
home  than  any  other  man.  Some  minister  who  has  given  his  heart 
and  soul  to  the  work  may  feel  inclined  to  sneer  at  so  humble  a  trait 
of  character,  but  his  wife,  who  has  often  watched  anxiously  for  his 
return,  and  felt  her  heart  sinK  within  her  as  the  hours  passed  and 
still  his  coming  was  delayed,  will  honor  it  as  one  that  belongs  to  the 
truly  great. 

His  manner  of  delivery  was  peculiarly  his  own.  Some  of  his 
gestures  would  appear  awkward  when  judged  by  the  set  rules  of 
gesticulation,  and  many  of  his  figures  as  well  as  his  modulation  and 
emphasis  might  fail  to  meet  the  abstract  requirements  of  school 
books,  but  from  the  moment  he  began,  the  interest  of  his  hearers  in 
the  subject  presented,  increased  ;  and  as  he  proceeded,  and  the  eye 
kindled  from  the  glowing  fires  within,  they  forgot  to  apply  rules, 
and  every  tone  and  every  movement  of  his  body  seemed  in  perfect 
keeping  with  grand  and  mighty  thoughts  struggling  for  utterance. 

During  the  whole  period  of  his  ministry  he  baptized  over  five 
thousand  persons,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  preaching 
regularly  to  about  twelve  hundred  church  members,  and  yet  he  was 
never  a  revivalist,  in  the  accepted  sense  of  the  term.  His  preaching- 
was  of  a  character  to  make  a  man  think  and  act,  rather  than  merely 
feel,  and  though  sometimes  large  audiences  were  melted  under  his 
genuine  pathos,  it  was  when  the  depths  of  the  understanding  had 
been  reached,  and  the  walls  behind  which  sin  had  intrenched  itself 
had  been  shaken  to  their  foundations.  The  way  in  which  he  then 
frequently  discussed  the  high  principles  of  duty,  interest,  and  obli- 
gation, was  truly  sublime. 

It  is  believed  that  during  his  life  he  never  failed  to  attend  the 

annual  meeting  of  the  Association  to  which  his  churches  at  the  time 

belonged.    It  is  certain  that  he  never  missed  but  one  meeting  of  the 

Tyger  River  Association,  which  was  in  existence  forty  years,  and 

58 


API 


458  -         BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

then  be  was  standing  bj  tbe  bedside  of  his  dying  wife.  The  last 
Association  be  attended  was  tbe  Broad  River,  at  Corinth  church, 
last  fall.  At  tbe  close  of  tbe  morning  session  on  Saturday,  he,  with 
some  other  brethren,  was  going  to  leave,  and  he  spoke  to  tbe  Asso- 
ciation some  words  of  encouragement  and  fatherly  advice.  It  is  said 
that  he  seemed  to  be  unusually  affected,  and  that  the  brethren  gem 
erally  felt  that  they  weie  listening  to  him  for  the  last  time.  Rev. 
W.  L.  Brown,  of  Gaffney  City,  made  notes  of  his  talk,  as  follows: 

In  speaking  to  the  ministers  present  with  reference  to  training 
their  churches  to  give  to  Christ's  cause,  he  said  :  "My  dear  brethren, 
train  your  churches  to  give  to  all  of  our  objects  of  benevolence  ;  and 
as  they  learn  to  give  they  mil  love  to  give,  and  giving  will  become  a 
positive  pleasure." 

In  speaking  of  the  short  crops,  the  result  of  the  very  dry  year,  he 
said.-  "You  must  give  a  part  of  what  you  make  this  year  to  the 
Lord.  When  you  sell  your  corn  and  cotton  this  fall,  though  you 
may  have  but  little  left  after  meeting  your  liabilities,  you  must  give 
a  part  of  that  little  to  God.  You  must  not  be  in  debt  to  God.  You 
can't  afford  to  forget  God  in  your  contributions.  Give  freely  and 
trust  Him  to  give  back  to  you  Take  Gcd  into  partnership  with 
you  and  see  if  you  do  not  get  along  better.  If  God  has  given  you  a 
short  crop  this  year,  if  you  will  take  him  into  partnership  with  you, 
may  be  He  will  give  you  a  larger  one  next  year." 

In  speaking  of  education  he  said:  "An  educated  man  is  more 
useful,  can  do  more  good  than  one  who  is  not  educated.  Send  your 
sons  to  Bro.  Manly  (Furman  University)  and  Lro.  Patrick.  YTou 
can't  do  better  than  that.  Send  your  daughters  to  Bro.  Sams  and 
Bro.  Griffith.  They  have  charge  of  the  Cooper  Limestone  Institute] 
We  want  to  see  old  Limestone  prosper  as  in  the  days  of  the  past, 
and  we  believe  that  we  shall  see  it.  We  know  all  these  brethren 
that  I  have  mentioned  to  be  noble,  good  men."  Then  to  all  present 
be  said  :  "Go  to  work,  my  brethren.  Work  in  your  churches  ;  work 
in  your  Sunday-schools  ;  train  up  the  young  to  love  the  Savior.  I 
am  glad  to  see  so  many  young  persons  growing  up  to  takethe  places 
of  those  of  us  who  are  growing  old.  I  am  proud  of  the  young- 
preachers.  I  want  them  to  do  better  work  than  the  old  ones  have 
done.  I  pray  that  you  may  be  more  useful  and  train  your  churches 
tetter,  and  have  better  Sunday-schools  than  any  of  us  have  ever 
had.  I  am  an  old  man  now.  Perhaps  I  shall  never  meet  with  this 
Association  again,  and  I  bid  you  all  an  affectionate  farewell." 

Tbe  last  sermon  John  G.  Landrum  ever  preached  was  at  Wolfe's. 
Creek  church,  on  the  2nd  Sunday  in  January,  1SS2,  from  the  text  : 
"Gather  not  my  soul  with  sinners,  nor  my  life  with  bloody  men." 
He  p-eached  to  a  crowded  house,  and  it  was  generally  remarked  that 
he  displayed  unusual  earnestness  and  emotion.  He  spoke  of  his 
friends  and  brethren  who  had  gone  to  their  reward,  whom  he  said 
he  should  soon  join  ;  of  his  deceased  wives,  the  mothers  of  his  chil- 
dren, whom  he  would  meet  in  Heaven,  and  made  an  earnest  and 
affectionate  appeal  to  the  unconverted,  assuring  them  of  the  deep 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  459 

interest  he  felt  in  their  welfare,  and  his  heart-felt  desire  that  they 
should  be  saved 

On  the  next  Tuesday  night  he  made  his  last  public  prayer.  Kev_ 
Milner  Jones,  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  engaged  in  missionary  work 
in  the  mountains,  failed  to  reach  Landrum  Station  on  Tuesday 
morning  in  time  for  the  train,  and  was  compelled  to  remain  over 
until  the  next  day.  He  made  an  appointment  to  preach  at  the 
Academy  that  night.  Bro.  Landrum  invited  him  to  his  house  and 
accompanied  him  to  the  Academy.  After  preaching,  Bro.  Landrum 
closed  with  prayer.  Several  who  heard  it  remarked  that  it  was  one 
of  the  most  feeling  and  fervent  petitions  they  had  ever  heard.  Rev. 
Milner  Jones  writes  :  "Bev.  John  G.  Landrum  closed  the  exercises 
with  a  prayer  of  unusual  eloquence  and  power,  and  even  how  much 
more  would  we  have  appreciated  it,  had  we  known  that  this  was 
his  last  public  ministration— that  the  life  which  then  pleaded  so 
earnestly  at  the  throne  of  grace  would  soon  be  cold  and  dumb  in 
death.  As  it  is,  I  shall  always  be  thankful  to  our  God  and  Savior 
Jesus  Christ,  that  the  last  public  benediction  of  this  veteran  of  the 
cross,  fell  on  me,  and  I  pray  God  to  grant  me  grace  to  be,  as  Lan- 
drum was,  faithful  even  unto  death." 

On  Thursday  following  this  meeting,  Bro.  Landrum  complained 
of  heartburn.  His  son,  Furmau  gave  him  a  little  soda,  which  seem- 
ed to  relieve  him.  On  Friday  night  he  ate  a  hearty  supper  and  was 
taken-very  sick  during  the  night.  His  son,  Dr.  J.  B.  O.  Landrum, 
was  sent  for,  who  came  and  found  him  suffering  from  extreme  nau- 
sea, with  constant  disposition  to  vomit.  Aside  from  this  he  com- 
plained of  a  severe  pain  in  the  chest,  such  as  he  said  he  had  never 
felt  before.  Dr.  Landrum  promptly  administerd  an  emetic,  and  he 
obtained  partial  relief.  On  the  next  day  Lr.  Landrum  called  in  Dr. 
Geo.  R.  Dean,  and  when  he  arrived  it  was  thought  that  he  was  bet- 
ter, and  from  that  day  till  his  death -he  seemed  to  be  improving. 
Dr.  Landrum  with  his  family  visited  him  again  on  Sunday,  and 
found  him  still  seemingly  better,  but  complaining  of  a  lurking  pain 
in  tbe  region  of  his  heart.  He  was  disposed  to  talk  a  good  deal 
about  death,  and  said  so  far  as  his  preparation  was  concerned  he 
had  made  up  his  mind  long  ago  that  he  was  as  ready  as  he  ever 
would  be.  ''But,  oh  !"  he  exclaimed,  "there  is  so  much  Work  forme 
to  do  !"  He  added  :  "But  when  I  do  die  I  shall  not  plead  my  own 
works,  but  the  merits  of  a  crucified  Savior,  and  I  shall  die  an  hum- 
ble penitent  at  his  feet."  Dr.  Landrum  thought  it  not  best  to  en- 
courage him  to  talk  about  death,  so  the  subject  was  changed,  and 
the  rest  of  the  day  was  spent  in  cheerful  conversation.  Dr.  Lan- 
drum visited  him  again  on  Monday  and  found  him  sitting  up  and 
apparently  doing  w.ell.  He  himself  thought  that  he  would  be  able 
to  meet  his  appointment  to  preach  on  the  next  Sunday. 

On  Thursday,  19th  of  January,  he  directed  his  son  Furman  to  go 
down  to  Spartanburg  and  attend  to  some  business  that  was  weigh- 
ing upon  his  mind,  and  added  :  "Be  sure  to  come  back  to-day,  Fur- 
man,  for  I  may  not  live  more  than  a  day  or  two.  However,  I  hope 
t 


460  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

the  Lord  will  spare  my  life  at  least  one  year  longer."  The  day  was 
bright  and  pleasant — about  the  only  pretty  day  in  the  mouth  of 
January.  He  walked  out  towards  noou  to  a  place  some  three  hun- 
dred yards  from  his  dwelling,  where  he  had  some  hands  engaged  in 
cutting  wood.  The  wood-cutters  say  that  he  came  up  to  them,  stop- 
ped, looked  up  at  the  sky,  and  turned  and  walked  off  without  saying 
one  word.  On  his  return  to  the  house  it  was  remarked  by  those  who 
saw  him  that  beseemed  to  be  very  much  exhausted.  He  went  into 
the  house  and  said  to  his  daughter-in-law  (Mrs.  Furman  Landrum,) 
'•Fannie,  it  is  past  twelve  o'clock ."  Mrs.  Landrum  replied  :  "Yes, 
Pa,  do  you  want  your  dinner?"  He  answered,  "yes;  I'm  hungry." 
Mrs.  Landrum  left  the  room  to  hasten  the  preparation  of  dinner, 
while  be  walked  towards  the  back  piazza,  remarking  in  her  hearing 
as  he  went,  "This  is  a  sweet,  beautiful  day."  These  were  his  last 
words.  In  a  few  moments  Mrs  Landrum  heard  the  sound  as  of  a 
heavy  fall,  followed  by  a  long,  deep  groan,  and  running  to  the  back 
piazza  she  found  him  lying  motionless  on  the  floor.  She  attempted 
to  revive  him,  but  life  had  departed.  She  called,  but  the  trumpet- 
toned  voice  of  John  Gill  Landrum  was  hushed  forever!  Fifty-two 
,>  ears  a  preacher  of  righteousness  !  Seventy-two  years  in  the  battle 
of  life,  and  never  found  wanting  !     Such  is  the  record. 

"Servant  of  God,  well  clone! 

Rest  from  thy  hard  employ. 
The  battle  fought  the  victory  won, 

Enter  thy  Master's  joy." 


Lankford,  Elder  Wm.  was  a  delegate  to  the  session  of 
1850  and  1851,  of  the  Broad  River  Association,  from  Friend- 
ship church  ;  and  was  pastor  of  Sulphur  Springs  and  Bethesda 
churches.  Since  that  period  of  time,  we  are  not  advised  as  to 
his  operations.  Xor  do  we  know  the  'date  of  his  birth,  con- 
version or  ordination  to  the  work  ot  the  gospel  ministry. 
We  opine  that  he  has  removed  into  the  bounds  of  some  other 
Association;  but,  having  once  been  a  Broad  River  minister, 
we  therefore,  make  this  mere  mention  of  him.  We  know 
that  he  was  a  good  preacher. 


Lemmoks,  Elder  Isaac  appears  in  the  Broad  River  As- 
sociation in  1815  as  a  delegate  from  the  Head  of  Enoree 
church.  He  afterwards  became  a  member  of  Washington 
church  in  Greenville  county,  S.  C,  and  in  1820-'21-'22-'23 
_"24-'25-'26  and  '27,  he  represented  the  church  in  the  As- 
sociation, and  labored  faithfully  for  the  promotion  of  the 
best  interests  of  all  the  churches.     His   stvle  or  manner    of 

if 

preaching,  was  said  to  be,  ot  an  allegorical  character.  With 
him  it  did  not  matter  what  the  literal  reading  of  the  text  or  pass- 
age might  be,  it  had  a  spiritttalsigtvjieancij,  that  must  be  evolved 
or  brought  out,  to  the  attention  of  his  hearers,  and  his  whole 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  461 

time  was  generally  taken  up  (and  sometimes  a  good  deal  of 
it)  in  unfolding  the  spiritual  mysteries  embodied  in  the  text 
•of  his  choice.  This,  however,  was  one  of  his  peculiarities. 
He  was  an  uneducated  man,  but  spoke  with  considerable  flu- 
•ency,  and  great  "power  and  demonstration  of  the  spirit." 
He  was  a  devotedly  pious  and  useful  minister,  in  his  daj-  and 
time.  The  Washington  church  to  which  be  belonged  be- 
-came  a  constituent  member  of  the  Tyger  River  Association, 
when  organized  in  1833,  and  Elder  Lemmons  (if  still  living) 
probably  became  a  member  of  the  new  organization.  We 
.are  not  apprized  of  the  period  of  his  birth  or  death,  or  nativ- 
ity. We  doubt  not,  however,  that  he  has  long  since  gone 
to  receive  the  reward  of  the  finally  faithful,  and  is  now  real- 
izing for  himself  the  joys  and  happiness,  he  was  only  capable 
of  illustrating  while  here  in  allegory. 


Lewis,  Elder  James  was  born  about  the  year  1780,  in 
Lincoln  (now  Gaston)  county,  1ST.  C,  on  the  waters  of  Crow- 
der's  Creek.  When  quite  a  }'Oung  man,  and  prior  to  his 
marriage,  he  went  to  the  State  of  Virginia  on  business,  and 
while  there  was  fortunate  in  being  placed  under  good  influ- 
ence, and  thereby  converted  to  God  and  His  truth.  He 
<  conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood,"  but  immediately 
joined  a  Baptist  church  in  that  State,  and  was  baptized. 
After  sojourning  there  for  a  time,  he  returned  to  his  native 
State  and  county,  about  the  close  of  the  year  1807:  and  at- 
tended the  school  of  a  Mr.  Collins,  until  he  acquired  a  com- 
mon English  education,  with  a  smattering  of  the  Latin 
language.     He  then   commenced   teaching,  he  become   im- 

C7  CD  O  ? 

pressed  weightily  with  the  propriety  and  duty  of  attempting 
to  speak  to  the  people  publicly  in  reference  to  the  salvation  of 
their  souls.  Pie  was  licensed  by  a  church  near  the  South 
Carolina  line,  where  Elder  John  Rooker,  of  the  Bethel  Asso- 
ciation was  pastor,  known  by  the  name  of  Mill  Creek,  and 
after  exercising  his  gift  for  some  time,  was  ordained  to  the 
full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  the  precise  date  of  which  at 
this  time  we  are  unable  to  state. 

He  married  Miss  Anuie  Witherspoon,  in  Lincoln  coun- 
ty, 1ST.  C,  on  the  27th  January,  1812,  daughter  of  James 
Witherspoon,  an  Irish  Covenanter,  whose  wife  was  a  Pres- 
byterian lady. 

Elder  Lewis,  after  his  marriage,  was  employed  by  a 
Baptist  Mission  Board,  for  some  time,  to  teach  the  Catawba 
Indians,  and  located  himself  while  engaged  in  the  mission, 
in  Lancaster  county,  S.  C,  near  the  Catawba  river,  where 
some  of  his  first  children  were   born,  amongst  which  was 


452  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

John  G.  Lewis,  Esq.,  of  Dallas,  N.   C,  formerly  the  expert 
Clerk  of  the  Superior  Court  of  Gaston  county. 

Sometime  near  1820,  he  removed  from  his  mission  sta- 
tion to  his  former  home,  in  Gaston  county,  near  the  State- 
Line,  and  became  a  member  of  and  the  pastor  of  Long  Creek 
church,  where  he  remained  until  the  time  of  his'  death,  which 
occurred  on  the  4th  day  of  June,  1884,  from  the  effects  of 
Typhoid  fever.  He  had  labored  also  with  Thessalonica  and 
Hebron  churches  for  several  years,  and  generally  was  prompt 
in  attending  the  different  sessions  of  the  Broad  River  Asso- 
ciation while  he  was  a  member  of  that  body. 

He  was  about  five  feet  eight  or  ten  inches  in  height,  of 
round  heavy  build,  large  chest,  dark  hair,  and  hazel  or  brown 
eyes,  of  pleasant  and  affable  manners,  and  fluent  speech. 


Lewis,  Elder  John  W.  appeared  in  the  Broad  River 
Association  in  1830,  at  the  session  held  that  year  at  Cedar 
Springs  church.  He  wTas  a  member  of  the  Mount  Zion 
church,  in  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C,  and  represented  said 
church  with  Elder  John  G.  Landrum  in  the  subsequent 
sessions  of  the  Association  at  Buck  Creek  in  1831.  At 
Sandy  Run  in  1832,  when  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the  body? 
and  at  Long  Creek  in  1833,  when  he  was  re-elected,  clerk. 
At  this  latter  session  the  Mount  Zion  with  the  other  churches- 
were  dismissed  from  Broad  River  for  the  purpose  of  forming 
a  new  body  (Tyger  River,)  and  Elder  Lewis  was  thereby 
taken  from  the  Broad  River  body.  To  enable  the  readers 
of  this  work  to  know  more  about  Dr.  Lewis,  we  copy  the 
following  from  Cathcart's  Baptist  Encyclopedia  : 

"Rev.  John  W.  Lewis,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  Baptist 
ministers  of  North  Georgia,  was  born  near  Spartaburg,  S.  C.,  Feb. 
1st,  1801.  Educated  at  a  classical  academy  near  Spartanburg,  he 
a  udied  and  practiced  medicine  at  Greenville,  S.  C,  becoming  a 
skillful  and  popular  physician.  He  united  with  the  Baptist  church 
of  that  town.  Duringthe  years  1830  and  1851  he  was  a  member  of  the 
South  Carolina  Legislature.  About  this  time  he  began  to  preach, 
and  was  ordained  in  1832.  He  removed  to  Canton,  Ga.,  in  1839  or 
184),  becoming  pastor  of  that  and  other  churches  in  Cherokee,  Ga.r 
and  accpviiring  a  great  influence.  He  was  a  preacher  of  much  force 
and  energy;  a  strong  and  bold  defender  of  tae  faith;  an  able  expoun- 
der of  the  Word,  and  an  eloquent  advocate  of  the  truth,  A  man  of 
line  practical  sense,  he  had  a  strong  mind,  and  was  a  deep,  original 
thinker.  He  had  a  benevolent  heart,  and  was  steadfast  in  his  friend- 
ships. He  had  extraordinary  forecast,  and  managed  business  mat- 
ters with  great  ability  aud  success.  In  1857  he  was  appointed  super- 
intendent of  the  State  Road  by  Gov.  Brown,  and  his   management 

was  eminently  successful.     During  the  war  he  served  in  the  Con- 
gress of  the  Confederate  States,  as  Senator,  with  great  ability,   and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  463 

jprevious  ro  the  war  he  served  in  the  State  Senate,  and  was  instru- 
mental in  the  establishment  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Georgia.  His 
-character  stood  extraordinarily  high  in  Georgia.  A  man  of  firm 
faith,  deep  piety  and  unabated  zeal,  he  won  many  souls  to  Jesus. 
After  a  life  of  great  usefulness  he  died  in  Cherokee  county  in  June, 
1865."   t 

We  can  bear  testimony  to  his  zealous  manner  of  preaching 
the  Gospel,  having  witnessed  for  ourself  his  pathetic  appeals  to  the 
hearts  and  consciences  of  men  to  be  reconciled  to  God  on  several 
occasions.  In  his  preaching  effort*  he  manifested  not  only  great 
ability  but  intense  earnestness  both  in  his  words  and  manner. 

Dr.  Lewis  was  a  heavy  built,  robust  looking  man,  large  chest, 
inclining  -a  little  to  corpulency,  of  the  ordinary  height,  with  blue 
eyes  and  light  hair,  rounded  visage  and  stentorian  voice. 

At  the  session  of  1S31  Dr.  Lewis  was  appointed  to  write  a  Circu* 
lar  Letter  on  the  proper  method  for  a  church  to  pursue,  in  cqlling 
•of  a  pastor,  which  is  reproduced  in  this  work  as  follows : 

CIRCULAR   LETTER, 

Dear  Brethren  : — Pursuant  to  a  resolution  of  our  last  Association, 
we  address  you  the  present  year  <loii  the  proper  method  for  a  church 
to  pursue  in  calling  of  a  pastor  or  supply,  and  the  duties  incumbent 
on  them  to  each  other. 

In  doing  this  we  are  aware  that  we  are  treating  upon  a  subject 
of  vital  importance,  of  considerable  difficulty,  and  one  in  which  much 
of  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  Christ's  Church  upon  earth  is  involv- 
ed. Deeply  impressed  with  this  view,  it  shall  be  our  aim  to  exhibit 
the  subject  in  plainness  and  simplicity,  and  with  a  view  to  the  ben- 
efitting, both  of  pastors  and  churches.  It  will  not  be  expected  that, 
in  treating  of  the  relative  duties  of  churches  and  pastors,  we  can 
speak  of  the  individual  and  often  peculiar  cases  which  exist  in  this 
relationship,  but  only  give  our  opinion  as  to  a  general  course,  leav- 
ing the  application  to  the  prudence  and  discretion  of  the  churches. 

And  first,  as  to  "the  proper  method  for  a  church  to  pursue,  in 
calling  of  a  pastor  or  supply."  This  call  must  either  be  made  upon 
a  member  of  the  church  that  makes  die  call,  or  upon  a  member  of 
a  sister  church.  We  conceive  that  a  preference  should  be  made  in 
calling  a  pastor  whose  membership  is  in  the  church  making  the 
call,  unless  there  should  exist  some  prominent  reason  to  the  contrary. 
This  should  be  more  especially  the  case,  provided  the  minister  whose 
membership  is  with  them  has  been  advanced  to  the  station  he  occu- 
pies, by  and  with  the  consent  of  the  church  of  which  he  then  is  a 
member.-  But  it  is  not  unfrequeutly  the  case  that  there  are  minis- 
ters of  the  Gospel  whose  membership  is  in  a  church  who  are  desir- 
ous of  obtaining  the  pastoral  care  of  some  other  minister.  In  this 
case,  if  the  church  should  conscientiously,  and  upon  deliberate 
consultation,  believe  that  the  gift  of  the  minister  whose  membership 
is  with  them  is  unprofitable,  then  if  the  advancement  of  said  minis- 
ter has  been  the  act  of  another  church,  the  church  should  then  feel 
itself  entirely  at  liberty  to  call  a  pastor  or  supply  from  elsewhere.    It 


464  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES". 

is  true  that  churches,  at  many  times,  are  at  a  loss  with  regard  to  the? 
propriety  of  pursuing  this  course,  for  the  fear  of  wounding  the  feel- 
ings of  the  brother  whose  membership  is  with  them.  But  it  should 
be  remembered  that  each  of  our  churches  has  a  government,  free 
and  independent  of  any  other  churches,  and  if  a  church  should  be 
desirous  and  think  it  their  duty  to  obtain  a  pastoral  supply  out  of 
their  immediate  church,  then,  although  they  may  have  a  minister 
whose  name  is  enrolled  on  their  church  book,  yet  his  reception  as  a 
member  was  not  his  reception  as  a  minister  or  pastor,  and  conse, 
quently  a  church  would  be  no  more  bound  to  call  him  than  another- 
But  if  there  should  be  a  minister  in  the  church  whose  moral  conduct 
is  blameless,  and  who  has  been  put  forth  by  and  with  the  consent  of,, 
and  as  an  act  of  the  church  itself,  where  his  membership  is,  then 
the  church  would  certainly  be  bound,  for  the  sake  of  consistency  at 
least,  to  make  the  call  on  the  minister  whose  membership  is  with 
them  ;  the  contrary  would  be  both  cruel  and  inconsistent.  To  illus- 
trate this  subject  more  fully,  we  will  suppose  that  a  minister  of  the 
Gospel  who  has  been  regularly  ordained,  removes  from  Virginia  to 
South  Carolina,  and  becomes,  by  a  regularly  certified  letter  of  dis- 
mission, a  member  of  one  of  the  churches  of  that  State ;  as  soon 
as  he  is  received  as  a  member,  he  produces  before  the  church  sat- 
isfactory evidence  of  his  being  a  regularly  ordained  minister  of  the 
Gospel;  the  church,  as  a  matter  of  course,  invites  his  public  min- 
istry, and  he  continues  perhaps  his  public  exercises  for  a  conside- 
rable length  of  time,  until  the  pastor  in  charge  is  removed  by  death 
or  otherwise.  Would  a  church  in  th;s  case  be  bound  to  call  for  the 
pastorship  of  this  minister?  Certainly  not;  because  they  may  think 
his  gift  unprofitable  in  reference  to  pastorship,  and  although  the 
church  in  Virginia,  from  whence  he  came,  may  have  thought  dif- 
ferently; yet  upon  the  principle  of  independence  of  judgment 
among  churches,  each  church  has,  and  of  right  ought  to  have,  the 
liberty  of  judging  for  itself. , 

Another  difficulty  in  which  churches  are  not  unfrequently  situ- 
ated, is  that  of  their  having  a  pastor  who  has  long  labored  with  them 
without  producing  any,  or  at  least  but  little  visible  good  effect,  and 
with  whom  the  members,  together  with  the  attending  congregation 
have,  to  a  great  extent,  become  indifferent.  The  question  arises, 
what  course  should  a  church  pursue  under  such  a  state  of  things  ? 
The  most  easy,  and  doubtless  the  best  answer  that  can  possibly  be 
given,  is  for  the  church  to  act  faithfully.  At  the  termination  of  the 
time  that  may  have  been  covenanted  for  his  pastoral  labors,  the 
question  will  arise,  both  with  the  pastor  and  the  church,  whether 
their  then  pastor  shall  continue  his  labors;  this  with  the  pastor  him- 
self is  often  a  matter  of  anxious  and  prayerful  anxiety,  and  one  which 
should  be  submitted  to  the  wish  and  discretion  of  the  church.  When 
thus  left  to  the  option  of  the  church,  it  is  plain  that  if  thev  should 
be  conscientious  in  the  belief,  that  it  would  be  more  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  cause  of  religion  to  call  for  a  pastoral  supply  elsewhere, 
they  have  the  right  and  are  in  duty   bound  to  do  it ;  and  although 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  465 

the  church  may  have  fears  of  injuring  the  feeling  of  the  minister 
who  had  hitherto  had  the  charge  of  the  church,  yet  it  is  evident  that 
he  should  submit  to  the  will  of  the  church  cheerfully,  as  it  is  said  to 
be  in  possession  of  the  "mind  of  Christ/"  but  that  in  addition  to  this 
consideration  it  would  be  better  for  the  feelings  of  one  individual  to 
suffer  than  for  a  church  and  community  to  be  unprofited.  It  is  not 
unfrequently  the  case  that  a  church  is  divided  on  this  subject,  aud 
the  question  arises,  shall  a  majority  govern,  or  shall  the  church  re- 
quire unanimity  ?  We  would  give  it  as  our  opinion  that  the  major- 
ity should  govern,  but  certainly  each  church  will  judge  for  itself  in 
this  particular.  But  we  would  suppose  that  as  unanimity  could 
scarcely  ever  be  expected,  if  churches  were  to  wait  for  it,  the  proba- 
bility is  that  very  few  churches  would  have  a  pastoral  supply.  With 
regard  to  the  manner  of  proceeding,  when  a  church  shall  have  de- 
termined upon  calling  anyT  certain  person  :  this  may  vary  somewhat 
from  peculiar  circumstances,  but  generally  the  wishes  of  the  church 
should  be  stated  in  writing  (officially  signed  by  the  church  clerk)  and 
communicated  by  a  committee  appointed  for  the  purjDOse— first  to 
the  minister,  and  if  his  consent  is  gained,  then  to  the  church  where 
his  membership  may  be.  This  should  be  done  not  only  as  a  matter 
of  courtesy,  but  also  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  any  subsequent 
difficulties  which  might  have  arisen  from  charges  of  immoral  or  dis- 
orderly conduct  on  the  part  of  the  minister  called. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  say  something  of  the  right  that  a  church 
has  of  calling  upon  any  minister  of  the  Gospel  to  labor  for  their  re- 
ligious benefit  and  advancement.  This  certainly  cannot  be  consid- 
ered a  natural  right,  but  one  which  emanates  from  the  command 
given  to  all  Gospel  ministers  "to  feed  the  flock  of  Christ:"  It  may 
be  defined  a  relative  right — one  which,  to  a  considerable  extent,  de- 
pends for  its  existence  (in  reference  to  man)  upon  the  fact  of  its  in- 
volving or  creating  a  reciprocal  right,  to  which  we  shall  presently 
call  your  attention.  We  conceive  that  none  but  God  Himself  has 
the  right  of  calling  a  man  to  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel,  and  if  this 
be  the  fact,  it  will  at  once  be  seen  that  all  the  right  (strictly  speak- 
ing) that  any  church  has  of  calling  for  the  labors  of  a  minister  of  the 
Gospel,  may  be  defined  a  social  right,  arising  from  the  connexion 
of  members  of  the  body  of  Christ.  On  this  particular  subject  we 
refer  you  to  the  9th  chapter  of  Paul's  first  epistle  to  the  Corinthians. 
The  relationship  between  a  church  and  pastor  will  be  found  to  resem- 
ble that  which  exists  between  the  members  of  a  natural  body — all 
depending  and  being  dependent  on  each  other,  both  for  the  comple- 
tion of  a  system  which  embraces  beauty,  symmetry,  strength,  and 
harmony  of  action. 

We  now  call  your  attention  to  the  reciprocal  duties  of  churches 
and  pastors.  And  first  of  the  pastoral  duties  :  and  these  we  conceive 
to  be  more  extensive  and  important  than  is  generally  conceived. 
With  many  it  seems  that  a  mere  attending  at  the  meeting  house  at 
stated  times,  preaching  twice  per  month,  and  administering  the 
ordinances,  comprises,  as  they  think,  the  principal  part  of  the  pasto- 
58 


466  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

ral  duties,   but  surely  this  conclusion  can  not  be  drawn   from  the 
Scriptures.     His  labors  certainly  embrace  a  much  larger  field  of  ac- 
tion.    He  should  view  it  as  his  bounden  duty  not  only  to  labor  in 
public  in  the  ministration  of  the  Word,  but  also  in  private,  with  in- 
dividuals ;  to  visit  the  sick  and  the  afflicted  ;  to  be  a   sort  of  day's 
man,  between  not   only  his   brethren  who  may  be  at  variance,  but 
also   between  those   who  are   not  members  of  the  church,  but  who 
form  a  part  of  the  congregations  on  whom  his  labors  are  bestowed. 
Ministers  of  the  Gospel  should  invariably  take  Christ  as  their  model, 
in  doing  which  they  will  find   it  necessary  that  nearly  the  whole  of 
their  time  should  be  devoted  to  the  general  cause  and  advancement 
of  His  kingdom.     They  should   study  to  show  themselves   "work- 
men approved."     This  study  will  ever  be  found  most  successful,  by 
being  accompanied   by  a  life  of  action  ;  to  reduce  to  practice,   and 
thereby  enforce  by  the  power  of  example  the  doctrines  they  may  be 
desirous  of  inculcating.     If  this  course  is  pursued,  it  will  at  once  be 
seen  that  there  will  remain  but   little  time  to  be  devoted  to  secular 
concerns.     Many  of  the  ministers  of  our  denomination  have  the 
charge  of  four  churches,   which  takes  constantly  two-sevenths  of 
their  time  to  attend  to,  and  if  we  add  to  this  the  time  used  in  going 
to  and  returning  from  them,  together  with  the  time  that  is  (orshould 
be)  devoted   to   visiting  the  sick  and  the  afflicted,  reconciling  per- 
sons at  variance,  &c,  it  will  be  found  that  much  the  larger  part'of 
their  time  will  be  consumed  in  the  discharge  of  duties  strictly  pas- 
toral.    It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  notion  of  a  faithful  pastor  pur- 
suing any  worldly  avocation  to  profit,  is  vain  ;  true,  he  has  sometime 
by  his  own  labor  to  gain  a  living,   and  it  is  his  duty  to  use  it  to  the 
best  advantage,  lawfully  ;  but  certain  it   is  that  even  the  amount  of 
work  rendered  under  these  circumstances  can  not  be  so  profitable  as 
if  rendered  in  its  proper  season.     We  now  call  your  attention  to  the 
right  your  pastor  has  in  calling  upon  you  in  some  degree  to  supply 
this  deficiency ;  and  with  regard  to  this  right  we  would  say  that 
neither  is  rhis  a  natural  right,    but  one  growing  out  of  the  relative 
position  of  church  and  pastor.     If  a  church    has  a   right  to  call  for 
and  obtain  the   labors  of  a  pastor,  it  is   but  right  that  he  should 
receive  somewhat  in  return.     On  this  subject  (as  on  many  others,) 
two    opposite  extremes   have  been   run   into.      The  one  is  that  of 
churches  pursuing  a  course  of  extravagant  donation  to  their  minis- 
ters, so  as  to  be  a  sort  of  temptation  to  w-orldly-minded  men — to  take 
upon  themselves  the  hieh  and  sacred  office  of  a  minister  of  the  Gos- 
pel of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  the  sole,  the  unhallowed  purpose  of 
obtaining  "the  loaves  and  fishes;"  the  other  extreme  is  that  churches 
are  often  too  remiss  about  this  matter,  and  their  pastors  are  not  only 
in  straightened  but  in  suffering  circumstances,  for  the  want  of  that 
which  is  but  their  reasonable  due.     "The  laborer  is  worthy  of  his 
hire."     We  know  of  no  better  way  of  illustrating  to  your  minds  the 
real  situation  of  a  true  minister  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ  than  that  of 
exhibiting  him  to  you  as  holding  in  his  right  hand  this  passage  of 
Scripture:  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  my  Gospel,"  &c. ; 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  467 

while  at  the  same  time  in  his  left  he  holds  this  passage  :  "He  that 
provideth  not  for  his  household  and  family  is  worse  than  an  in  ridel," 
due.  Now  it  will  be  plain  to  you  that  both  of  these  commands  can 
not  be  completed  in  the  same  person.  It  would  be  impossible  for  a, 
man  to  be  going  through  the  world  preaching  the  Gospel,  and  at  the 
same  time  be  cultivating  the  earth,  in  order  to  support  himself 
and  household.  It  is  the  fact  though,  that  this  seeming  contradic- 
tion (like  many  others  in  the  Scriptures)  is  reconciled  by  that  pass- 
age which  says,  ''Thou  shalt^not  muzzle  the  mouth  of  the  ox  that 
treadeth  out  the  corn." 

If  these  statements  are  correct,  you  will  at  once  perceive  that  if 
it  is  important  that  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel  should  preach,  it  is 
— from  the  relationship  which  we  have  attempted  to  show — import- 
ant that  you  should  act  that  part  which  will  make  the  system  a 
harmonious  one. 

Some  are  ready  to  object  to  all  human  action  towards  the  support 

of  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,   but  it  should  be  rememiuereu  tbac 

bare  opinion  must  give  -way  to  revelation  ;  and  if  you   will  read  the 

chapter  to  which  we  have  already  referred  you,  together  with  the 

Scriptures  generally,    we  deem   it  useless  to  say  anything  more  on 

the  subject.      In  conclusion,    we   would   exhort   both  pastors    and 

churches  to  renewed  diligence  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties,  and 

they  may  expect  the  work  of  the  Lord  to  prosper  in  their  hands. 

Farewell.  /  John  W.  Lewis. 

October  19th,  1832. 


Lee,  Elder  Jeremiah  was  a  Broad  River  minister,  elate 
of  his  birth  unknown.  The  following"  sketch  of  his  life  ap- 
pears in  the  minutes  of  the  Broad  River  Association,  at  its 
session  in  1879,  which  we  take  the  liberty  to  reproduce. 

"Elder  J.  Lee  has  been  called  from  the  labors  of  earth  to  the 
joys  of  Heaven:  He  had  long  been  a  faithful  christian  and  laborer 
in  our  midst.  He  quietly  fell  asleep  in  the  arms  of  Jesus  on  the  22d 
of  December  last,  after  an  illness  of  four  years.  He  had  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  church  about  -47  years.  He  was  licensed  to  preach 
November  30th,  1850,  and  ordained  June  loth,  1852.  He  was  set 
apart  to  the  office  of  a  regular  ordained  minister  by  prayer  and  the 
imposition  of  hands  by  Elders  F.  W.  Littlejohn,  M.  C.  Barnett  and 
J.  S.  Ezell,  in  which  office  he  continued  to  officiate  up  to  the  time 
of  his  affliction.     He  bore   his  trials  with   christian  fortitude,  and 

often  said  that  his  faith   was  growing  stronger  and  his  evidences 
brighter,  and  that  he  was  waiting  his  Master's  call. 
His  trials  are  o'er,  his  body  sleeps 

Beneath  a  bed  of  earth. 
His  tongue  lies  mute  with  all  its  powers, 
Subdued  by  conquering  death. 

His  soul  has  spread  its  wings  in  haste, 

And  to  its  God  hath  flown, 
Where  he  sits  in  righteousness, 

With  an  immortal  crown. 


46*  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Bro.  Lee  never  had  the  advantage  of  an  early  education,  but,  by 
close  alliance  with  Jesus,  had  become  an  acceptable  preacher  of  the 
Gospel.  His  life  was  "a  living  epistle,  read  and  known  of  all  men." 
He  was  a  bold  defender  of  his  Master's  cause,  a  true  and  devoted 
friend,  a  kind,  affectionate  husband  and  father;  and  while  we 
mourn  his  loss,  we  sorrow  not  as  those  that  have  no  hope.  We  ten- 
der our  heartfelt  sympathies  to  the  bereaved  and  heart-stricken 
widow  and  family,  praying  that  God  may  sanctify  this  dispensation 
of  His  providence  for  good,  knowing  that  all  things  work  together 
for  good  to  those  that  love  the  Lord,  and  are  called  according  to  His 
purpose." 

At  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association  of  1849 
and  1850  brother  Loe  was  a  lay  delegate  from  Bethesda 
church,  and  in  1851  appeared  from  the  same  church  as  a  li- 
centiate. In  1852-'5B-'54,  &c,  he  appears  in  the  minutes  as 
an  ordained  minister  and  delegate  from  the  same  church. 


Leatherman,  Elder  John  F.  appears  in  the  King's 
Mountain  Association  in  1856  and  1860  as  a  member  of, 
and  a  delegate  to  the  Association,  from  Mount  Vernon 
church.  We  are  uninformed  as  to  the  date  of  Elder  Leath- 
erman's  birth,  but  suppose  he  was  born  in  Lincoln  county, 
N.  C,  about  the  year  1820,  and  has  been  preaching  about 
twenty-five  years.  He  has  labored  some  with  Mount  Vern- 
on and  Corinth  churches.  Is  said  to  be  a  well  meaning 
brother,  but  of  moderate  attainments.  If,  however,  he  has 
only  a  single  talent  it  is  as  much  his  duty  to  cultivate  it,  as 
if  he  had  ten.  There  is  a  work  for  all  to  do.  "Go  work  in 
my  vineyard"  says  the  Husbandman. 


Lee,  Elder  James  K.  is  an  ordained  minister  of  the 
Broad  River  Association.  We  find  in  the  minutes  of  1868 
that  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Association  from  Corinth  church, 
and  appears  still  as  one  of  the  ministry  of  that  body.  He 
was  born  Dec.  2nd,  1826,  and  is  a  native  of  Spartanburg 
count}',  S.  C.  His  residence  is  near  Pacolet  depot  on  the 
Spartanburg  and  Union  Railroad.  He  joined  the  church  in 
1846  and  was  ordained  in  the  year  1866.  His  work  has 
been  specially  that  of  an  evangelist  laboring  in  Spartanburg 
and  Union  counties,  S.  C,  and  the  extreme  western  part  of 
North  Carolina. 


Littlejohn,  Elder  Felix  W.,  a  native  of  Spartanburg 
county,  S.  C,  appeared  in  the  Broad  River  Association  as  a 
licensed  preacher  and  delegate,  from  Goucher  Creek  church, 
in  1840 :    at  the  session   held  that  vear  at  Concord  church, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  469 

Rutherford  county,  N.  C.  He  was  ordained  in  1841,  to 
the  full  work  of  the  ministry,  and  represented  Goueher  Creek 
almost  consecutively  until  about  1855,  when  his  health  fail- 
ing, he  did  not  afterwards  attend  the  sessions  as  formerly. 
After  having  served  as  pastor  of  Goueher  Creek  church 
many  years,  he  died  of  apoplexy,  on  the  10th  of  October, 
1860,  being  about  55  years  of  age. 

The  Broad  River  Association,  at  its  session  in  1861, 
adopted  the  following  notice  : 

"Brother  F.  W.  Littlejohn  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  in  the 
•Goueher  Creek  church,  about  twenty  years  ago,  and  for  a  long  time 
labored  zealously  and  successfully  in  the  Gospel.  For  some  time 
past,  owing  to  the  infirmities  of  the  body,  he  refused  to  take  the  pas- 
toral charge  of  any  church,  still  unto  the  day  of  his  death  he  never 
threw  off  the  mantle  of  his  calling." 

We  knew  Dr.  Littlejohn,  who  had  the  reputation,  not 
only  of  being  a  good  preacher,  but  a  good  physician  as  well. 
In  early  life  he  had  the  appearance  of  being  an  athletic,  hale, 
hearty  and  healthy  man,  being  of  round  heavy  build,  large 
chest,  and  good  lungs.  His  health,  however,  from  some 
cause  failed,  and  for  a  few  years  previous  to  his  death,  he 
rapidly  declined.  Dr.  Littlejohn  was  about  five  feet  ten 
inches  in  height,  dark  hair  and  eyes,  and  visage  somewhat 
rounded  like  his  body,  with  a  playful  and  sprightly  counte- 
nance ornamenting  his  entire  physique.  We  loved  his  soci- 
ety very  much,  and  feel  that  the  Broad  River  Association 
sustained  a  great  loss  in  the  death  of  one  so  popular  and 
useful. 


Lindsey,  Elder  William  was  a  member  of  Cross  Roads 
church,  and  licensed  by  said  church  in  1834.  Was  a  dele- 
gate to  the  Broad  River  Association  at  Goueher  Creek  the 
same  year.  In  1835  he  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of 
the  ministry,  and  delegated  to  represent  Cross  Roads  in  the 
session  of  the  Association  at  Wolf's  Creek,  the  same  year. 
After  which  we  find  no  further  account  of  him  in  the  min- 
utes of  the  Association.  He  probably  emigrated  to  some 
other  field  of  labor.  We  are  uninformed  as  to  the  date  of 
his  birth,  or  of  his  proficiency  as  a  minister. 


Lyon,  Elder  John  appears  to  have  been  a  Broad  River 
minister  in  1834.  The  niinutes  show  that  he  represented 
Green  River  church  that  year  in  the"  session  held  at  Goueher 
Creek.  And  again  in  1835  at  Wolf's  Creek  church.  After 
which,  we  find  no  other  account  of  him,  and  presume  he 
emigrated,  like  many  others,  to  a  more   inviting  field  of  la- 


470  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

bor.     We  have  no  definite  information  of  Elder  Lyon  only: 
what  we  gather  from  the  minutes  of  the  Asssoeiatiou. 


Lancaster,  Elder  Wm.  Decatur  appears  in  the  min- 
utes as  a  member  of  Sandy  Springs  church,  and  was  a  dele- 
gate to  the  Broad  River  Association  from  the  said  church 
first  in  1874,  and  then  continuously  at  each  annual  session 
since.  He  was  born  in  the  suburbs  of  Spartanburg  city,  S- 
C,  on  the  14th  of  February,  1824.  Converted  1846,  and 
was  married  on  the  11th  April,  1850,  to  Miss  R.  C.  Padgettr 
a  daughter  of  Elder  A.  Padgett,  dec'd,  a  young  lady  every 
way  worthy  of  a  good  husband.  Elder  Lancaster  was  licens- 
ed in  October,  1858,  and  was  ordained  by  S.  ISL  Whitson,, 
H.  Culbreth  and  A.  Padgett,  on  the  17th  October,  1862. 
He  is  a  nephew  of  Wm.  Lancaster,  who  was  clerk  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  from  its  organization  up  to  the  year 
1811.  We  hope  Elder  Lancaster  may  prove  himself  worthy 
of  being  the  namesake  of  his  venerated  uncle.  We  are  sor- 
ry we  have  not  a  more  full  history  of  his  past  life  and  labors. 


Logan,  Elder  Ransom  P.  was  born  January  10th,  1810y 
and  married  Miss  Belinda  Gladden  October  2nd,  1834.  He 
was  converted  and  licensed  to  preach  about  1839,  and  or- 
dained to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry  a  short  time 
afterwards.  In  1841  he  appeared  first  in  the  Broad  River 
Association  as  a  delegate  from  Antioch  church.  In  the  ses- 
sion of  1842  he  was  a  delegate  from  Bethlehem  churchy 
which  church  was  constituted  the  same  year,  and  chose  Elder 
Loo;an  as  pastor.  He  continued  in  the  discharge  of  his  pas- 
toral duties  with  this  church  several  years,  and  was  engaged 
to  supply  Beaver  Dam  and  Broad  River  churches  for  some 
time,  when  he  subsequently  removed  to  the  eastern  part  of 
the  Association,  and  was  engaged  as  pastor  of  the  Olivet 
Church;  and  while  laboring  for  said  church  was  appointed 
by  the  King's  Mountain  Associatian  as  missionary  to  the 
Catawba  Valley,  where  he  labored  acceptably  for  a  few  years, 
after  which  the  mission  was  discontinued,  and  Elder  Logan 
ao-ain  resumed  pastoral  work.  Although  he  labored  under 
great  disadvantages  by  reason  of  his  lack  of  education,  yet 
he  h#d  become  popular  and  useful  as  a  disciplinarian  and 
explanatory  preacher,  and  at  the  sessions  of  the  King's 
Mountain  Association  in  1864-J65,  he  was  complimented  by 
the  body  with  the  Moderatorship,  the  duties  of  which  he 
discharged  very  creditably. 

Some  time  after  the  late  war  ended,  Elder  Logan  began 
to  manifest  symptoms  of  absent-mindedness,  and  finally  in- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  47l 

«amty  overtook  him,   and  on   the  1st  day  of  July,  1882,  he 
■died,  in  the  73d  year  of  his  age. 

The  following  notice  appears  on  the  face  of  the  Minutes 
of  the  King's  Mountain  Association,  1882. : 

"Elder  R.  P.  Logan  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  this  Asso 
•ciation,  and  Moderator  for  two  of  the  sessions  of  the  body.  He  died 
•at  his  residence,  in  Iredell  county,  N.  C,  on  the  1st  of  July,  1882. 
For  many  years  he  was  a  faithful  minister  and  pastor  of  churches 
in  our  bounds.  Although  his  mind  failed  him  for  a  year  or  two  be- 
fore1 his  death,  we  trust  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  take  him  to  his  rest 
.in  heaven." 


McDo-ugal,  Elder  Hezekiah  was  .  said  to  be  of  Scotch 
•descent;  date  of  his  birth  unknown  to  us.  Was  pastor  of 
Cedar  Springs  church,  in  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C,  from 
1825  to  1834.  He  made  his  first  appearance  in  the  Broad 
River  Association  as  a  delegate  from  Cedar  Springs  church 
at  its  session  held  in  1825,  at  Buffalo,  and  afterward  attended 
.annually  in  the  same  capacity  until  1834,  after  which  we  lose 
sight  of  him.  He  had  become  an  old  man,  and  probably 
died  about  that  time.  He  was  a  good  pious  brother,  but 
possessed  no  extraordinary  preaching  talent ;  was  somewhat 
formal  in  his  religious  exercises.  Elder  Barnett,  speaking 
of  Elder  McDougal  in  his  sketches  of  the  Broad  River  Asso- 
ciation, says:  "I  remember  the  benediction  of  old  Bro.  Hez- 
■ekiah  McDougal,  who  was  a  long  time  pastor  of  Cedar 
Springs  church,  which,  though  it  was  very  affectionate,  seem- 
ed-to  me  to  be  a  very  unnecessary  circumlocution  .  It  ran 
about  this  way:  Now  mav  the  rich  and  saving  grace  of  our 
once  humbled  but  now  highly  exalted  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus 
Christ,  the  love  of  God,  His  and  our  Heavenly  Father,  and 
the  comfortable  communion  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  rest,  remain 
and  abide  with  3'ouandall  the  Israel  of  God,  now,  henceforth 
and  forever  more.     Amen.'" 

In  looking  over  tire  Minutes  of  the  Association,  we  do 
not  find  that  Elder  McDougal  was  ever  connected  with  any 
important  business  matter  in  which  the  body  was  concerned, 
save  one— he  was  appointed  with  Dobbins,  Hicks,  Crow, 
Rainwater  and  Ramsour  a  committee  "to  visit  Macedonia 
church,  to  inquire  into,  her  standing,  and  set  in  order  any 
thing  that  may  be  found  wanting,  and  report  to  next  Asso- 
ciation." Thev  attended,  and  found  that  the  church  had 
attended  strictly  to  Gospel  order  in  her  dealing  with  Jona- 
than Guthrie,  her  former  pastor,  who  had  become  disorderly, 
and  they  so  reported  to  the  Association. 


472  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

McBee,  Eldek  Edward  appears  to  have  been  an  ordain*- 
ed  minister  of  the  Broad  River  Association,  and  was  a  mem- 
ber of  Zion  Hill  church,  and  a  delegate  to  the  Associations 
in  the  session  of  1841  and  1812.  We  are  informed  that  he 
moved  outside  the  Associational  bounds,  and  we  are  unable 
to  trace  him  in  the  minutes  after  that  period.  We  are  with- 
out information  as  to  his  history. 


Mallary,  Elder  R.  D.  is  a  native  of  S.  C,  though 
reared  in  Georgia.  Located  now  in  Shelby ,N.  C.,he  has  taken 
charge  of  the  Shelby  Female  College,  which  he  appears  to- 
be  running  to  a  very  good  account.  Having  moved  into  the 
bounds  of  the  King's  Mountain  Baptist  Association,  and 
thereby  identified  himself  with  the  Association,  we  there- 
fore enter  his  name  on  the  roll  of  ministers,  feeling  and  be- 
lieving that  the  bodv  has  been  fortunate  in  obtaining  an 
acquisition  so  desirable. 

Professor  Mallary  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
ministry  in  Albany,  Ga.,  Nov.  8th,  1874.  Before  the  war, 
he  was  connected  with  the  Georgia  Female  College, Madison, 
Ga.,  and  later,  President  of  a  Baptist  College  in  Cuthbert, 
Ga.  After  the  war,  he  took  charge  of  the  Union  Female 
College,  Eufaula,  Ala.,  and  for  six  years  before  he  moved  to 
N.  C,  was  President  of  Shorter  Female  College,  which  he 
had  the  honor  of  placing  in  the  front  rank  of  Southern  In- 
stitutions for  females. 


McCraw;  Elder  James  Madison  is  a  native  of  Cleve- 
land county  (formerly  Rutherford  county,  N.  C. ;)  was  born 
in  1823 ;  converted  in  his  18th  year,  and  joined  the  church 
at  Providence.  He  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  the  Broad  River 
Association  at  the  session  of  1850,  then  a  lavman.  In  1851 
he  was  licensed  to  preach,  and  again  represented  Camp's 
Creek  church  in  the  Association  in  the  sessions  of  1852-'53. 
Some  time  afterward  he  emigrated  to  Texas,  and  settled 
finally  in  the  State  of  Arkansas,  where  we  learn  that  he  is 
laboring  in  the  Lord's  vineyard  with  great  success,  having 
been  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry  by  a 
presbytery. 

We  were  well  acquainted  with  Bro.  McCraw,  and  know 
that  he  manifested  o-reat  zeal  in  the  cause  of  the  Master 
while  laboring  among  the  Broad  River  churches,  and  hope 
that  he  may  prove  in  his  new  western  field  "a  workman  that 
needeth  not  to  be  ashamed  rightly  dividing  the  Word  of 
Truth." 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  ,    473 

McSwain,  Elder  "William  was  a  native  of  Rutherford 
county, (now  Cleveland,)  N.  C,  born  about  1806;  joined  the 
church  in  early  life,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  about  1837. 
He  appeared  as  a  delegate  from  Beaver  Dam  church  in  the 
session  of  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1851.  lie  then 
became  a  member  of  the  King's  Mountain,  and  was  in  its 
organization  the  same  year.  He  was  chosen  a  delegate  and 
represented  Beaver  Dam  in  several  sessions  of  the  Associa- 
tion afterwards,  and  at  the  session  of  1855  he  appeared  as  an 
ordained  minister  and  delegate.  He  continued  that  relation- 
ship until  1860,  when  the  division  of  the  Association  took 
place  on  the  question  of  temperance.  Elder  McSwain  affili- 
ated with  the  "constitutional"  party  and  remained  with  them 
until  the  reconciliation  took  place  in  1866.  The  King's 
Mountain  body  having  united  again,  and  harmony  being  re- 
stored, Bro.  McSwain  again  represented  Beaver  13am  in  the 
Association.  He  died  in  May,  1881,  and  at  the  session  of 
the  Association  of  that  year  the  following  notice  was  entered 
on  the  Minutes : 

"Elder  McSwain  died  in  May  last,  about  75  years  of  age.  He 
had  been  exercising  in  the  ministry  about  forty-five  years,  rendering 
faithful  services  in  the  cause  of  Christ  within  the  bounds  of  the 
King's  Mountain  Association.  "Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in 
the  Lord  from  henceforth  ;  yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  resG 
from  their  labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 


Morgan,  Elder  Perminter  was  a  member  of  Bethel 
church,  situate  in  Buncombe  county,  1ST.  C.  He  appeared  in 
the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1801,  and  was 
one  of  the  organizers  of  that  body  in  1800.  He  preached 
the  introductory  sermon  before  the  Association  in  1802,  at 
Buck  Creek  church,  and  under  the  appointment  of  that  body 
prepared  the  Circular  Letter  for  1*803,  on  the  Doctrines  of 
Grace, — a  brief,  but  comprehensive  letter,  breathing  strong 
anti-Arminian  sentiments.  In  1803  he  was  chosen  Modera- 
tor, and  again  in  1804.  He  again  preached  the  introductory 
sermon  before  the  body  at  its  session  at  Cedar  Springs  in 
1806,  and  again  prepared  the  Circular  Letter  for  that  year, 
on  the  Constitution  of  a  Gospel  Church,  and  the  Door  of  Admis- 
sion therein.  At  this  session  also  he  was  chosen  Moderator 
of  the  body,  and  again  he  was  chosen  Moderator  in  1809. 
Soon  after  this  the  French  Broad  Association  was  formed, 
and  Elder  Morgan,  now  an  old  man,  ceased  crossing  the 
mountains  to  attend  the  Broad  River  Association.  We  are 
not  in  possession  of  the  date  of  his  advent  into  the  world, 
nor  do  we  know  the  time  he  died,  but  doubtless  long  since 
he  has  crossed  over  the  river  and  entered  into  his  promised 
rest.  It  will  be  seen,  from  what  hus  been  collated  from  the 
60 


474  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Minutes,  that  Elder  Perminter  Morgan  was  a  prominent 
actor  in  the  early  clavs  of  the  Broad  River  Association. 
Peace  be  to  his  ashes !  and  let  his  name  be  had  in  perpet- 
ual remembrance. 


McKissick,  Elder  Isaac,  a  member  of  Pacolet  church 
and  a  delegate  to  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1820,  ap- 
pears to  have  been  an  ordained  minister  at  that  time.  He 
appeared  regularly  as  a  delegate  until  the  year  1826,  when 
Pacolet  church  had  doubtless  connected  itself  with  some 
other  Association,  as  it  does  not  appear  on  the  Broad  River 
list  as  formerly.  Elder  McKissick  was  of  course  transferred 
with  his  church,  and  we  consequently  lose  sight  of  him  in 
the  Broad  River  Minutes.  We  are  informed  that  he  was  a 
Scotch-Irish  Revolutionary  Whig,  and  that  Capt.  Daniel 
McKissick,  who  was  severelv  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Ram- 
sour's  Mill,  in  Lincoln  county,  N.  C,  was  a  near  relative  of 
his.  We  are  uninformed  as  to  the  preaching  talents  that  he 
possessed,  but  will  presume  that,  as  he  was  of  Scotch-Irish 
stock,  he  was  probably  well  educated,  and  preached  fluent 
sermons  for  one  of  his  day  and  time.  We  are  without  in- 
formation as  to  the  date  of  his  birth  or  death.  He  was  a 
resident  .of  Union  county,  S.  C,  and  there  are  a  number  of 
McKissicks  now  living  in  that  part  of  South  Carolina,. of 
high  standing  and  respectability,  who  are  doubtless  some  of 
his  descendants.  Let  them  be  proud  of  their  pioneer  Bap- 
tist ancestor.     It  might  have  been  one  much  less  respectable. 


Martin,  Elder  William,  a  native  of  York  county,  S. 
C,  first  a  member  of  Buffalo  church,  was,  with  other  mem- 
bers, dismissed  to  form  Antioeh  church  in  1815.  He  was 
chosen  pastor  of  the  new  church,  and  became  a  useful  and 
popular  preacher.  At  the  session  of  the  Association  in  1816, 
at  Buffalo  church,  Antioeh  was  admitted  into  the  body, 
Elders  William  Martin,  George  Wilkie  and  Bro.  Sherrod 
James  being  the  representatives.  Elder  Martin  soon  after 
emigrated  to  the  State  of  Tennessee,  which  accounts  for  the 
non-appearance  of  his  name  in  the  Minutes,  after  the  ad- 
mission of  Antioeh  into  the  Association.  It  is  said  that, 
alter  his  removal,  "his  praise  was  in  all  the  churches"  in  the 
State  of  his  adoption,  and  he  became  a  prominent  and  useful 
minister. 


MooRE,ELDEiiHuGH\vasa  member  of  Goucher  creek,  church 
and  a  lay  delegate  to  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1819. 
Soon  alter  this  he  was  licensed  and  ordained  to  the  full  work 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  475 

of  the  Gospel  ministry.  In  several  subsequent  sessions 
Elder  Moore's  name  appears  on  the  Minutes  as  an  absentee, 
and  we  are  informed  that  he  had  become  ensealed  as  an 
agent  to  represent  pension  claims,  and  was  consequently  ab- 
sent from  home  as  well  as  from'  the  Association  on  pension 
business,  and,  being- tempted  by  the  Devil,  he  committed 
gross  frauds  on  the  United  States  Government  by  forgery, 
and  was  arrested,  tried,  found  guilty,  and  incarcerated  for 
life.  Alas  !  poor  Moore  found,  when  sadly  too  late,  that 
"honesty  is  the  best  policy." 

We  recollect  seeing  Hugh  Moore,  and  he  was  a  portly, 
fine  looking  man,  with  gold  spectacles  on  his  face.  He  was 
said  to  be  a  near  relative  of  the  celebrated  loyalist,  Capt. 
Patrick  Moore,  who  was  so  signallv  routed  in  the  time  of 
the  Revolutionary  war  by  Col.  Isaac  Shelby,  on  Pacolet 
river.  This  is  another  evidence  that  "it  is  not  all  gold  that 
glitters."  Although  this  great  misfortune  befell  Mr.  Moore, 
he  was  said  to  be  very  respectably  connected  in  the  section 
of  country  where  he  was  reared,  in  Spartanburg,  S.  C.  Alas  ! 
covetousness  has  been  the  cause  of  the  downfall  of  many ! 


McSwain,  Elder  Asa  A.  is  a  native  of  what  is  now 
Cleveland  county  (formerly  Rutherford,)  ]ST.  C,  born  March 
10th,  1832.  Was  converted  in  his  16th  year,  and  baptized 
by  Elder  J.  S.  Ezell  ;  licensed  in  1855.  Entered  the  King's 
Mountain  Association  in  1858  as  a  delegate  from  Double 
Springs  church,  having  been  ordained  the  year  previous  ('57) 
to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry,  by  Elders  T.  Dixon, 
J.  Suttle,  A.  J.  Cansler  and  William  McSwain  as  the  pres- 
bytery. On  the  29th  of  January,  1862,  he  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  Cornwell,  and  having  attached  himself  to  the  Sandy 
Run  church  in  1859,  he  from  that  time  was  annually  chosen 
a  delegate  to  the  present,  to  represent  said  church  in  the  As- 
sociation, and  served  as  pastor  of  Pleasant  Hill,  Beaver  Dam, 
Bethlehem,  Mount  Paran  and  other  churches,  in  all  of  which 
responsible  trusts  it  is  said  he  acted  very  truly  and  faithfully 
as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 

Elder  McSwain,  although  a  faithful  and  energetic  pastor 
and  Sunday-school  worker,  is  yet,  physically  speaking,  a 
very  feeble  man,  and  no  doubt  discharges  his  pastoral  duties 
under  great  disadvantages  on  that  account;  he,  however, 
feels  that  a  dispensation  of  the  Gospel  is  committed  unto 
him,  and  that  a  woe  rests  upon  him  if  he  does  not  go  forward 
in  the  discharge  of  duty. 

He  has  proved  an  active  and  useful  member  of  the  As- 
sociation, and  is  often  chairman  of  the  committee  on  Obitu- 
aries, and  has  submitted  to  the  body  some  good  reports  on 


476  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

the  lives  and  characters  of  some  of  our  deceased  brethren, 
both  of  the  ministry  and  laity.  Besides  these  labors  he  has 
written  under  the  direction  of  the  Association  an  annual 
Circular  Letter  addressed  to  the  several  churches  in  union 
on  the  subject  of  Beneficence,  which  we  here  reproduce,  be- 
lieving that  a  perusal  of  it  may  prove  profitable  to  those  who 
may  ieel  inclined  to  read  and  study  it : 

CiJRCU-LAR   LETTER. 

The  King's  Mountain  Baptist  Association — To  the  Churches  in  Union 

— Greeting  : 

Dear  Brethren  : — According  to  an  appointment  of  last  year,  we 
address  you  this  year  upon  Systeynatic  Beneficence.  Beneficence  is_ 
the  practice  of  doing  good  or  active  goodness,  and  is  a  conspicuous 
quality  in  the  system  of  morality.  Authority  compels  us  to  be  fear- 
ed, wealth  to  be  praised,  erudition  to  be  esteemed,  but  beneficence 
renders  us  useful  in  society.  Some  endowments  are  solitary,  and 
centre  mostly  in  ourselves,  but  beneficence  is  social,  diffusive  and 
kind.  The  disciples  of  Jesus  Christ,  under  the  influence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  were  beneficent.  "And  all  that  believed'  were  together,  and 
had  all  things  common  ;  and  sold  their  possessions  and  goods,  and 
parted  them  to  all  men,  as  every  man  had  need."  (Acts  ii.  44,  45.) 
That  is,  so  far  as  their  mutual  wants  required.  What  a  beautiful 
picture  was  the  first  church  at  Jerusalem  !  It  was  a  church  in 
which  no  person  called  anything  his  :  but  in  the  unity  of  the  Spirit 
and  in  the  bonds  of  peace  they  had  all  things  common.  It  was  a 
church  preaching  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  praising  God  day 
and  night;  and  the  Word  of  God  was  magnified  and  grew  mightily, 
and  the  saved  of  the  Lord  were  added  daily  to  the  church.  The  ob- 
jects ©f  our  beneficence  should  be  all  those  who  are  in  the  sphere  of 
our  influence  and  action.  Toward  superiors,  beneficence  expresses 
itself  in  esteem,  obedience  and  service;  toward  inferiors,  in  liberal- 
ity, condescension,  protection  and  support;  toward  equals,  in  the 
functions  of  affection  as  their  cases  require,  and  for  which  they 
have  ability.  It  includes  all  the  tender  efforts  on  the  behalf  of  the 
poor,  the  sick,  the  fatherless,  the  widow,  the  distressed,  those  desti- 
tute of  religious  knowledge,  and  especially  those  ' 'who  are  of  the 
household  of  faith."  (Gal.  vi.  10.)  Each  man  should  compare  his 
views,  motives,  and  conduct  with  the  Bible.  If  they  agree  with 
that,  they  are  right,  and  he  may  rejoice  in  them  as  evidence  that  he 
is  born  of  God,  and  is  an  heir  of  heaven.  But  if  they  do  not,  they 
are  wrong  and  must  be  changed,  or  whatever  he  or  they  may  think, 
he  will  be  an  outcast  from  God  and  all  good  forever.  Life  is  the  seed 
time  for  eternity,  and  the  fruit  of  what  each  one  here  sows  he 
will  there  forever  reap.  "Let  him  that  is  taught  in  the  Word  com- 
municate unto  him  that  teacheth  in  all  good  things."  (Gal.  vi.  (3.) 
Benefactions  ought  to  be  accompanied  with  prayer,  for  "the  fervent, 
effectual  prayer  of  a  righteous  man  availeth  much."  We  should 
always  manifest  a  deep  interest,  a  tender  sympathy  in  the  joys  and 
sorrows  of  others.     Good  men   will  desire  to  do  good— nut  to  friends 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  477 

'only,  or  to  such   as  do  good  to  them,  but  also  to  enemies,  and  suck 
as  do  evil.     We  may  more  clearly  see  the  religious  characters  of  men 
■by  their  treatmeut  of  enemies  than  of  friends, — and  those  destitute 
of  religious  knowledge  than  those  who  possess  it:  ''Rejoicing  with 
them  that  do  rejoice,  and  weep  with  them  that  weep."  (Rom.  xii. 
15.)    A  spirit  of  beneficence  generally  arises  from  a  spirit  of  benev- 
olence, the  love  of  mankind  in  general,   accompanied   with  a  desire 
.to  promote  their  happiness,  extending  to  all  men  universally  with- 
out exception,  and  is  the  practice  of  it ;  and  is  not  so  universal  as  it 
.is,  but  is  confined  to  objects  around  us  from  several  considerations  — 
such  as  our  knowledge  of  others  and  their  different  circumstances, 
and  our  abilities  and  opportunities.     "As  we  have,  therefore,  oppor- 
tunity, let  us  do  good  unto  all  men."    (GaL  vi.  10.)     Our  salvation, 
(health,  prosperity  and   reputation  should  all  be  objects  of  concern  ; 
nor  will  this  clash  with  the  affection  we  may  bear  to  others  ;  on  the 
•contrary,  experiencing  the  importance  of  these  blessings  ourselves, 
we  are  anxious  for  others  to  enjoy  them  also.     We  owe  to  men, 
purely  on  the  ground  of  their  being  of  the  same  species  with  our^ 
selves,   sympathy,   relief  and  religious  instruction.    Obligations  to 
beneficence  arise  from  the  law  of  nature  :  "And  hath  made  of  one 
blood  all  nations  of  men  for  to  dwell  on  all  the  face  of  the  earth,  and 
.hath  determined  the  times  before  appointed,  and  the  bounds  of  their 
(habitation  ;  that  they  should  seek  the  Lord,  if  happily  they  might 
feel  after  Him,  and  find  Him,  though  He  be  not  far  from  every  one 
■of  us  :  For  in  Him  we  live,  and  move  and  have  our  being,  ascertain 
of  your  own  poets  have  said,   for  we  are  also  his  offspring."  (Acts 
-xvii.  26,  27,  2s.)    If  God  has  caused  all  men  to  spring  from  one  fam- 
ily, and  has  determined   the  countries   where  they  should  live,  and 
•the  periods  of  time  during  which  they  should  occupy  them,  and  if 
the  object  of  God  in  creation  and  providence  is,  that  men  may  know, 
worship  and  enjoy  Him,  does  not  the  laws  of  nature  teach  us  that 
beneficence  is  a  duty  ?    And  this  they  may  do,  for  He  is  everywhere 
present,  sustaining,  upholding  and  governing  all  things.     Your  own 
poets — Aratus,  of -Celicia,  a  Greek  poet,  who  lived  more  than  three 
hundred  years  before;  andCleanthes,  who  lived  about  the  same  time, 
and  was  the  successor  of  Zeno,  the  founder  of  the  Stoics,  both  ■ex- 
pressed the  sentiment  referred  to.    And  Aratus  expressed  it  in  the. 
very  word  which   Paul  quotes.    As  all  the  human   race  are  the  off- 
spring, and  are  under  the  government  of  one  common  Father,  they 
are  all  brethren  of  one  family,  and  are  bound  to  treat  oneanother  as 
such.     Each  has  rights  given   by  his  Heavenly  Father,  of  which  no 
man  or  body  of  men  can  deprive  him,  without  deep  injustice  against 
a  brother  and  flagrant  rebellion  against  God.     But  where  the  law  s 
of  nature  leaves  us  in  obscurity,  the  law  of  revelation   throws  upon 
us  the  light  of  noonday.     It  is  a  pleasure  to  the  christian  to  impart 
blessings  as  opportunity  affords  itself  to  the  needy,    "But  to  do  good 
and  to  communicate,   forget  not ;  for   with  sacrifices  God   is  well 
pleased."  (Heb.  xii. -16.)     It  is  not  enough  for  men  to  be  pious,  devo- 
votional  and  grateful.     They  must  also  be  beneficent,   disposed  to 


478  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

communicate  of  their  blessings  to  others.  This  they  are  prone  to 
forget,  and  thej  need  often  to  be  reminded  that  it  is  with  such  things 
God  is  well  pleased.  They  would  thus  give  evidence  that  their  nat- 
ural selfishness  which,  if  continued  will  ruin  them,  is  in  a  way  of 
being  subdued.  A  spirit  of  beneficence  manifests  itself  by  being 
pleased  with  the  share  of  good  every  creature  enjoys  ;  in  a  disposi- 
tion to  increase  it ;  in  feeling  an  uneasiness  at  their  suffering,  and  in 
the  abhorence  of  cruelty  under  every  disguise  or  pretext. 

System  is  a  connection  of  parts  of  a  whole  connected  scheme. 
Systematic  Beneficence  is  a  Scriptural  method  of  liberality  for  the 
support  of  the  poor  and  the  spread  of  the  Gospel,  and  for  the  benefit 
of  all  that  are  needy.  The  Tabernacle  was  not  only  a  type  of  Christ's 
human  nature,  but  was  a  type  of  Christ's  Church,  whose  "tent  was 
enlarged  and  her  curtains  stretched  out,  her  cords  lengthened,  and 
stakes  strengthened,"  when  the  Gentiles  were  converted  to  Christ 
and  her  Gospel  state  established  [Isa.  liv.  2,]  and  are  to  be  still  more 
so  when  the  heathen  shall  be  converted  to  Christ  When  Moses 
was  to  erect  the  Tabernacle  he  gathered  a  congregation  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  after  repeating  the  law  of  the  Sabbath  he  asked  their  free 
gifts  for  it  and  its  furniture.""  The  spoils  of  the  "Egyptians  were 
brought  as  a  free-will  offering  to  Jehovah  ;  jewels  and  precious  met- 
als, skins  and  woven  fabrics,  spices,  oils  and  incense."  Two  men 
were  filled  by  God  with  skill  for  the  work.  Bezaleel,  the  son  of  Uri, 
of  the  tribe  of  Judah,  and  Aholiab,  the  son  of  Ahisomach,  of  the 
tribe  of  Dan,  and  they  wrought  with  every  wise-hearted  man  in 
whom  Jehovah  put  wisdom  and  understanding  to  work  for  the  ser- 
vice of  the  sanctuary.  They  soon  found  the  offerings  of  the  people 
far  above  what  was  required.  O,  if  we  could  see  an  Apostolic 
church,  what  a  different  thing  it  would  appear  to  one  of  our 
churches! — as  different  as  light  from  darkness.  There  was  not  a 
member  of  that  church,  as  a  rule,  who  was  halfhearted/  they  gave 
their  soul  wholly  to  God.  In  the  Apostle's  days  they  gave  all  their 
substance.  It  was  not  demanded  of  them  then,  and  it  is  not  now  ; 
no  one  thinks  of  asking  such  a  thing — still  we  have  run  to  the  other 
extreme,  and  many  give  nothing  at  all;  for  we  have  not  the  Apos- 
tolic mode  of  liberality, — and  while  we  need  means,  we  want  men 
with  Apostolic  zeal,  who  can  do  as  Paul  did  when  he  went  to  Phil- 
lippi.  Did  he  know  a  soul  there?  Not  one.  He  had  the  Redeemer's 
truth  and.  believed  in  the  power  of  it.  Men  will  be  rewarded  in  pro- 
portion to  what,  from  love  to  Christ,  they  do  for  His  cause.  "Every 
man  according  as  he  purposeth  in  heart,  so  let  him  give,  not  grudg- 
ingly, or  of  necessity :  for  God  loveth  the  cheerful  giver."  [2  Cor. 
ix.  7.]  Cheerful  contributions  for  christians  who  are  in  want,  or 
those  who  are  destitute  of  Gospel  Truth,  are  peculiarly  pleasing  to 
God,  and  the  greater  amount  in  proportion  to  their  means  which  any 
rightly  bestow,  the  greater  will  be  their  reward.  That  which  is 
given  in  expression  of  love  to  Christ  by  His  sincere  and  devoted  fol- 
lowers, is  often  thought  by  others  to  be  wasted  and  lost.  .  But  in  the 
view  of  Christ  it  is  well  used,  and  He  will  see  that  it  receives  a  gra- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  479 

<cious  and  honorable  reward.     "There   is  that  scattereth  and  yet  in- 
civasetb,  and  there  is  that  withholdeth    nipre  than  is  meet,  but  it 
tei'.deth  to  poverty."     A  system  of  beneficence,  as  directed  by  the 
Apostle  for  the  relief  of  poor  saints  at  Jerusalem,  was  upon  the  first 
day  of  the  week,  the  day  set  apart  and  observed  by  the  Apostles  and 
christians  as  the  Lord's  day,  which  is  the  christian  Sabbath.     "Now 
concerning  the  collection  for  the  saints,  as  I  have  given  order  to  the 
church  at  Galatia,  even  so  do  ye.     Upon  the  first  day  of  the  week  let 
every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store,  as  God  has  prospered  him,  that 
there  be  no  gathering  when  I  come.  [1  Cor.  xvii.  1,  2.]     We  believe 
that  on  that  day  every  one  ought  to  lay  by  him  in  store,  as  God  has 
prospered  him,  at  home  on  each  and  every  Sabbath  ;  we  believe  that 
every  one  ought  to  consider  the  blessings  of  God  upon  them,  and  lay 
up  accordingly  lor  the  various  benevolent  causes,  that  thfoe  may  be 
no  improper  gathering.    As  the  first  day  of  the  week  is  the  Lord's 
day,  and  from  His  resurrection  has  been  observed  by  His  people  as 
sacred  to  His  worship,   it  is  a  proper  time  for  us  to  consider  His 
goodness,  and  contribute  or  lay  by  in  store,  as  He  has  prospered  us, 
for  the  simply  of  the  wants   of  our  fellow-men.     Wise  and  good 
ministers  exceedingly  desire  that  christians  should  be  prompt  and 
liberal  in  their  benefactions,  and  will  be  disposed  to  make  honorable 
mention  of  such  as  are  so,  that  others  may  be  led  to  imitate  their 
example.    Faithful  ministers  of  the  Gospel  will,  if  practicable,  in- 
duce their  hearers  to  liberally  contribute 'for  the  benefit  of  the  needy 
and  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel,  and  regular,  systematic  beneficence 
will,  in  the  end,  be  much  more  abundant  than  that  which  is  merely 
occasional — and  much  more  useful,  both  t<\>  giver  and  receiver.     In 
forming  plans  for  future  action,  we  should  remember  our  dependence 
on  God,  seek  to  understand  His  will,  and  commit  ourselves  in  well 
doing  to  His  merciful  guidance  and  disposal.     Christian  brethren, 
and  even  pious  and  faithful  ministers  of  the  Gospel  may  differ  in 
judgment  about  the  best  way  of  doing  good  ;  and  while  they  exer- 
cise the  right  of  private  judgment  as  to  their  own  duty,  they  should 
cheerfully  concede  the  same  privilege  toothers.    The  possession  of 
property    involves   high    responsibilities,    increases  obligations  and 
multiplies  duties.     "But  whoso  hath  this  world's  goods,  and  seeth 
his  brother  have  need,   and  shutteth  up  his  bowels  of  compassion 
from  him,  how  dwelleth  the  love  of  God  in  him?"  '  [1  John,  iii.  17.] 
By  the  manner  in  which  men  use  what  they  possess,  they  show  their 
christian  character  and  the  manner  of  their  love  to  God  and  Jesus 
Christ.    The  Disciples  at  Jerusalem,  continuing  in  the  Apostles'  doc- 
trine, included  the  whole  body  of  Divine  Truth,  which  was  based  on 
the  Old  Testament,  viewed  in  the  new  light  of  the  Spirit,  bestowed 
upon  the  apostles  to   lead  them    into  all   truth.     The  fellowship, 
though  a  word  used  in  a  wide  sense   which  is  familiar  to  us,  seems 
here  to  denote  that  communication  of  the  goods  of  this  life  which 
was  needful  fro  supply   the  necessities  of  the  poorer  brethren,  and 
those  starving  for  the  bread  of  life,  and  the  collection  of  which  seems 
to  have  formed  a  part  of  their  united  worship.     If  our  churches  were 


480  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

like  the  Dieiples.  and  had  a  common  fund,  as  their's,  to  be  divided*' 
among  the  poor,  and  to  send  the  Gospel  where  it  is  not,  we  would 
carry  into  full  effect  the  principles  that  "nought  of  the  thingswhich. 
we  possess  is  our  own  ;'  our  prayers,  as  their's,  would  be  answered 
by  another  sign  of  God's  presence,  in  the  shaking  of  the  place  in-, 
which  we  meet,  as  their's  and  Sinai  was  shaken  of  old,  and  would 
be  answered  by  a  new  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  And  the  Apos- 
tolic work  would  be  resumed  with  fresh  power,  and  the  church, 
would  be  endued  still  more  manifestly  with  Divine  grace  and  har- 
mony ;  and  the  poor,  who  form  a  great  iDart  of  our  number,  would 
be  preserved  from  want;  and  the  heathen,  who  form  a  greater  part 
of  the  world,  would  receive  Gospel  light  and  be  saved,  by  sharing 
the  wealth  of  the  rest,  according  to  their  necessities. 

Brethren,  let  us  try  to  be  more  systematic  in  our  benefactions,, 
that  in  Heaven  may  be  written  in  fairer  lines,  with  us  Jehovah  is- 
well  pleased.'  And  may  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with, 
you  all.     Amen.  A.  A.  McSwain. 

September  20th,  1872. 


Morehead,  Elder  W.  G.  is  a  Broad  River  minister,  and 
member  of  Gilead  church.  We  find,  by  examination  of  the 
Minutes,  that  he  has  been  pastor  of  Macedonia,  Pleasant 
Grove  and  Bethesda  churches,  and  has  served  frequently  in 
a  representative  capacity  in  the  different  sessions  of  the 
Broad  River  Association.  We,  however,  have  no  definite 
information  as  to  the  preaching  talent  of  Bro.  Morehead, 
nor  do  we  know  when  he  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry. 

McSwain,  Elder  Lewis  H.  is  a  native  of  Rutherford 
(now  Cleveland  County,  North  Carolina,)  was  born  Oct.  30, 
1814,  joined  the  church  first  at  Buffalo  in  1839.  Was  licensed 
to  preach  in  1839,  and  ordained  to  the  lull  work  of  the  min- 
istry in  1848.  He  became  a  consistent  member  of  Mount 
Zion  church  m  its  formation,  and  was  chosen  pastor  in  1848. 
He  was  also  chosen  one  of  the  delegates  to  represent  the 
church  in  the  sessions  of  the  Broad  River  Association  of 
that  year,  and  1849  to  1851,  when  the  King's  Mountain  body 
was  organized,  of  which  he  became  a  member.  He  attended 
regularly  all  the  sessions  of  the  King's  Mountain  bodv  up  to 
time  ot  the  division  of  the  Association  on  the  temperance 
question  in  4860.  Elder  McSwain  then  sympathized  and 
affiliated  with  what  was  called  the  "constitutional"  party 
until  the  reconciliation  took  place  in  1866.  Since  then  he 
has  attended  nearly  all  the  sessions,  and  st^ll  exercises  in  the 
ministry  of  the  Word.  He  has  been  a  faithful  pastor  of 
Mt.  Sinai  church  from  the  time  of  its  constitution,  until  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  481 

organization  of  the  King's  Mountain  body,  and  for  several 
rears  since.  He  was  destitute  of  education,  but  sound  in  the 
faith  and  well  versed  in  the  Scriptures.  And  through  the 
favor  of  God  he  has  rendered  some  good  service  in  His 
cause,  having  been  instrumental  in  the  salvation  of  many 
precious  souls.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Ilamrick,  daughter 
of  Deacon  D.  Ilamrick. 


Morgan,  Elder  Spencer,  a  native  of  Spartanburg  coun- 
ty, S.  C.  He  made  his  first  appearance  in  the  Broad  River 
Association  at  its  32d  anniversary  session  at  Sandy  Run 
church  in  1832.  He  was  afterward  chosen  consecutively  as 
one  of  the  delegates  to  the  Association  until  1846,  having 
served  as  clerk  of  the  body  at  the  sessions  of  1843-'44. 

Elder  Morgan  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Providence 
church,  and  was  ordained  about  the  year  1833.  His  labors 
in  the  ministry  were  dispensed  with  great  earnestness  and 
zeal,  but  lacking  in  that  moving  unction  and  pathos  that  is 
so  necessary  to  impress  an  audience.  He  married  Miss 
Nancy  Lipscomb,  and  after  his  ordination  to  the  full  work 
of  the  ministry  he  was  chosen  pastor  of  the  Providence  and 
Macedonia  churches,  where  he  labored  many  years;  and 
■about  the  vear  1846  he  emigrated  to  the  State  of  Georgia, 
since  which  we  are  unadvised  as  to  his  christian  course. 


Mullinax,  Elder  Madison  made  his  first  appearance 
in  the  Broad  River  Association  as  a  delegate  and  licentiate 
from  Pacolet  church  in  1847.  He  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry  the  next  vear,  and  continued  regularly 
a  member  of  the  Association  until  the  session  of  1860.  We 
find  on  the  face  of  the  Minutes  of  1861  the  following  entry  : 

'"We  are  under  the  necessity  of  reporting  the  departed  worth  of 
Madison  Mullinax,  a  minister  belonging  to  the  Broad  River  Associ- 
ation, of  irreproachable  character.  We  trust  that  the  exhibition  of 
the  life  and  power  of  Christianity  exemplified  in  his  life  of  useful- 
ness, in  connection  with  his  ministrations  in  the  Gospel,  will  long 
be  unto  us  "living  epistles,  known  and  read  of  all  men." 

Elder  Mullinax  had  been  engaged  in  the  ministry  for 
some  time  before  he  appeared  in  the  Association,  being  then 
a  member  of  Antioch  church.  He  was  a  native  of  York 
county,  S.  C.,  born  February  25th,  1819.  And  intermar- 
ried with  Miss  Roxana  Spears,  of  Union  county,  S.  C.,  with 
whom  he  lived  happily  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
took  place  February  16th,  1861. 


Moss,  Elder  Noah  H.  is  a  native  of  what  is  now  Cleve- 
land county,  X.  C.,born  February  8th,  1823.     Was  convert- 
ed in  early  life  and    baptized  by  Elder  Wade  Hill  into  the 
61 


4f  2  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

fellowship  of  Capernaum  church.  He  was  licensed  to  preach 
about  the  year  18 — ,  and  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
Gospel  ministry  in  187(3.  Elder  Moss,  we  believe,  is  not  the 
pastor  of  any  church  within  the  bounds  of  the  King's  Moun- 
tain, but  frequently  assists  other  ministers  in  revival  meet- 
ings, Sunday-schools  and  prayer-meetings.  He  is  well  posted 
in  the  (Scriptures,  and  preaches  acceptably.  Is  an  humble, 
unassuming  christian,  disposed  to  do  all  the  good  within  his 
ability,  in  ttie  cau^e  of  (Jurist. 


Mullinax,  Elder  Thomas  Henry  several  years  ago  was 
a  member  of  Mount  Ziori  church  which,  although  within 
the  bounds  of  the  King's  Mountain  Association,  yet  remain- 
ed a. member  of  the  Broad  River  until  the  session  of  1872, 
when  she  joined  the  Kind's  Mountain  bodv.  Elder  Mullinax 
had  joined  the  Antioch  church  in  1870,  and  afterward  the 
Buffalo  church  in  1872,  which  church  was  then  a  member 
of  Broad  River  Association,  and  he  was  chosen  one  of  the 
delegates  to  represent  said  church  in  the  sessions  of  1871  to 
1874.  We  believe  he  never  was  identified  with  the  King's 
Mountain  Association,  but  was  pastor  of  Mount  Sinai  for  a 
year  or  two,  and  rendered  faithful  services.  His  principal 
labors,  however,  are  being  dispensed  among  the  Broad  River 
churches — Providence,  Camp's  Creek,  Unit}7,  and  Abingdon 
Creek,  etc.  He  is  a  brother  of  Elder  Madison  Mullinax, 
dec'd,  and  also  a  native  of  York  county,  S.  C.  He  married 
Miss  Julia  Aim  Moore,  July  20th,  1852,  a  daughter  of  Bea- 
con Win.  Moore,  dec'd,  a  very  worthy  christian  lady. 

Elder  Mullinax  is  a  very  worthy  minister,  endeavor- 
ing, we  believe,  to  do  all  the  good  he  can  in  the  cause  of 
Christ.  He  was  born  May  29th,  1830,  joined  the  Antioch 
church,  and  was  baptized  by  Eider  W.  Hill,  in  the  19th 
vear  of  his  a^e. 


*& 


Mullixo,  Elder  Pinckxey'  Sylvanus  is  a  native  of 
York  county,  S.  C,  born  October  7th,  1844  ;  married  Miss 
Julia  Hamrick,  daughter  of  D.  Hamrick,  Esq.,  dec'd,  and 
joined  first  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  but  after  recon- 
sideration, joined  the  Baptist  church  at  New  Hope,  one  of 
the  King's  Mountain  churches,  and  during  the  period  of  a 
revival  in  said  church  he  felt  the  influence  of  the  Spirit 
moving  him  to  pray  and  speak  in  public.  He  was  licensed 
to  preach  hi  1379,  and  continued  to  exercise  his  gift  for 
a  time,  and  having  been  lettered  to  Mount  Sinai  church,  he 
was  examined  by  a  presbytery  consisting  of  Elders  Thomas 
II.  Mullinax  and  Lewis  H.  McSwaiu,   on  the   25th   day  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  4S3 

August,  1882,  and  set  apart  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry. 
And  his  name  appears  enrolled  on  the  face  of  the  King's 
Mountain  Minutes  of  1882  as  an  ordained  minister. 


Nelson,  Elder  W.  A.  is  now  a  King's  Mountain  min- 
ister,  having  accepted  the  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Shelby 
church  in  the  year  1880.  Elder  Nelson  is  a  very  worthy 
christian  minister  and  effective  pastor.  He  possesses  a  keen, 
logical  mind,  sterling  integrity,  fervent  piety  and  sound  the- 
ology. He  has  an  eye  to  the  religious  operations  of  his 
flock.  The  whole  machinery  of  the  church  where  he  serves 
as  pastor  is  expected  to  engage  fully  in  the  prosecution  of 
such  work  as  may  be  considered  necessary  for  the  further- 
ance of  the  Gospel;  or  general  christian  cause  of  the  Redeemer 
among  the  churches.  And  in  order  to  succeed  well  in  a 
cause  so  laudable,  and  fraught  with  consequences  so  very 
important  and  desirable  to  all  the  real  lovers  of  Christianity, 
he  spares  no  pains  in  leading  a  faithful  and  spirited  attack 
upon  all  the  strongholds  of  Satan,  let  their  colors  be  dis- 
guised and  deceptive  as  they  may,  which  at  any  time  present 
themselves  in  opposition  to  the  truth  of  God's  word.  Dr. 
Nelson's  text-book  is  the  revealed  will  of  God,  as  stated  in 
the  Bible,  without  any  dissimulation  or  sugar-coating.  We 
reproduce  here  from.  Dr.  Cathcart's  Baptist  Encyclopedia 
the  following  notice  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  as  being 
appropriate  : 

"Rev.  W.  A.  Nelson,  D  D.  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Teun., 
July  1st,  1837  ;  baptized  by  M.  Cate ;  graduated  at  Carson  College, 
Tenn.,  in  1859  ;  ordained  in  1860  ;  was  missionary  during  the  war; 
did  good  work  as  a  pastor  at  Shelby  ville,  Tenn.,  and  was  very  suc- 
cessful at  Edgefield,  Nashville,  where,  under  his  pastorate,  the 
church  increased  from  31  to  350,  and  built  a  fine  house  and  parson- 
age ;  came  to  North  Carolina  in  search  of  health  in  1899  ;  became 
president  of  Judson  College,  and  has  gone  into  the  pastorate  again  at 
Shelby  ;  a  very  successful  man.  He  received  D.D.  from  his  alma 
mater.  The  church  at  Shelby  has,  by  his  persevering  efforts,  been 
greatly  revived  and  built  up  since  he  became  pastor,  and  would 
probably  be  unwilling  to  exchange  him  for  any  other  minister. 

"Dr.  Nelson  has  served  in  three  several  sessions  of  the  King's 
Mountain  Association,  and  been  a  leading  factor  in  Associational 
work." 


Owens,  Elder  M.  C.  was  a  Broad  River  minister  for  a 
time,  said  to  have  formerly  belonged  to  the  Reedy  River 
Association.  In  the  session  of  the  Association  held  at  Zoar 
church  in  1847,  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  body  from  Sulphur 
Springs  church,  and  pastor  of  that  church  in  the  years  1817 


484  ,    BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

-'48-:49.  We  know  scarcely  nothing  of  the  history  of  Elder 
Owens.  We  are  informed  that  he  was  a  mechanic,  and 
worked  at  a  trade  for  the  support  of  himself  and  family, 
and  labored  in  the  ministry  as  he  had  opportunity  afford- 
ed him.  He  probably  emigrated  West,  as  we  lose  sight  of 
him  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Association  after  1849. 


Paxxell,  Elder  Martin  is  a  member  of  Beaver 
Dam  church,  of  the  King's  Mountain  Association.  Date  of 
birth  unknown  to  author.  A  brother,  according  to  flesh,  of 
Elder  Dove  Pannell,  dec'd.  He  is  an  humble  christian  min- 
ister, of  moderate  preaching  abilities  ;  was  licensed  to  preach 
in  1860,  and  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  by  a 
presbytery,  while  he  was  identified  with  a  seceding  party 
known  as  the  "Constitutional  Kind's  Mountain  Association." 
After  the  reconciliation  convention  was  held  at  Zoar,  the 
Beaver  Dam  church,  with  Elder  Pannell,  returned  to  their 
places  as  a  constituent  of  the  King's  Mountain  Association, 
and  has  ever  since  proved  loyal  to  the  associate  body.  Elder 
Pannell,  while  a  lay  member,  represented  his  church  in  the 
Association  several  times  before  the  "temperance  troubles" 
disturbed  the  body,  and  was  always  recognized  as  a  pious, 
well  disposed  member  of  the  church  of  Christ.  He  still 
lives. 


Padgett,  Elder  John  appears  to  have  joined  the  church 
first  at  Sandy  Run,  soon  after  the  organization  of  the  Broad 
River  Association,  and  continued  his  membership  thereuntil 
1819,  when  he  appeared  in  the  Association  as  a  delegate 
from  Xew  Hope  church,  Rutherford  county,  1ST.  C.  He  was 
afterwards  transferred  to  Big  Spring  church,  where  he  re- 
mained for  several  vears,  becoming  a  member  of  the  Catawba 
River  Association.  He  afterward  became  a  member  of  High 
Shoals  church  in  its  organization  in  1830.  He  was  ordained 
to  the  Gospel  ministry  in  the  year  1811,  and  at  the  session 
of  the  Broad  River  body  in  1838,  the  following  entry  was 
made  on  the  minutes  :  "It  becomes  our  painful  duty  to  re- 
cord the  death  of  Elder  John  Padgett,  who  departed  this 
life  some  time  during  the  past  associational  year." 

The  services  rendered  by  him  in  the  Gospel  ministry, 
and  the  faithfulness  and  zeal  with  which  he  discharged  the 
various  duties  assigned  him,  while. occupying  his  respective 
and  important  station  upon  the  walls  of  Zion  (which  he  con- 
tinued to  do  for  more  than  forty  years,)  entitle  him  to  the 
remembrance  and  respect  of  all  good  men  ;  for  he  not  only, 
in  his  early  life,  taught  the  healthful  doctrines  of  the  Gospel 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  485 

with  force  and  with  confidence  in  their  correctness  and  truth, 
l>ut  he  even,  in  his  declining  years,  ratified1  the  things  which 
he  had  spoken,  by  discovering  a  holy  calmness  in  view  of 
death  and  his  approaching  dissolution,  which  did  honor  to 
the  christian  cause.  He  died  as  he  had  lived,  expressing 
great  love  and  regard  for  his  fellow-men,  and  beloved  by  ail 
whose  opportunities  in  life  enabled  them  to  appreciate  the 
worth  of  such  a  good  man. 

In  ottering  this  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  our 
departed  brother,  we  earnestly* sympathize  with  his  relatives 
and  friends;  yet  we  advise  them  not  to  sorrow  and  grieve  as 
those  having  no  hope;  for  although  we  are  deprived  of  the 
blessings  of  his  usefulness  and  presence  here,  yet  we  have 
great  reason  to  believe  his  immortal  spirit  has  gone  home  to 
rest  in  a  far  better  land — to  be  enriched  with  the  full  frui- 
tion of  everlasting  joys,  and  there  to  lisp  undying  praises  in 
harmonious  songs  to  his  Eternal  King,  and  ever  to  mingle 
with  the  innumerable  company  of  happified  spirits  that  fly 
in  glorious  splendor  around  the  dazzling  throne  of  the 
Great  Jehovah,  God." 

Elder  Padgett  had  not  only  been  a  soldier  of  the  Cross, 
but.  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  when  men's  souls  were 
well  tried,  he  bore  arms  in  defence  of  that  liberty  and  inde- 
pendence we  have  all  so  long  enjoyed,  and  which  we  should 
all  so  much  appreciate  and  endeavor  to  perpetuate.  As  a 
preacher  he  ranked  amongst  the  most  useful  in  the  discharge 
of  pastoral  duties,  and  where  best  known  was  most  appreci- 
ated and  loved.  He  was  a  large,  raw-boned  mat],  of  great 
strength  and  endurance.  The  hardships  and  toils  he  had 
undergone  in  his  early  pioneer  life  had  tended  greatly  to  de- 
velop his  muscular  system,  and  he  had  become  almost  a  giant, 
physically  speaking.  We  are  not  informed  as  to  the  time 
of  his  birth,  but  learn  from  the  minutes  of  the  Association 
that  he  became  a  member  of  the  bodv  in  1808,  then  an  or- 
dained  minister,  and  consequently  he  must  have  attained  to 
i  a  great  age  when  he  died  in  18.38,  having  served  at  the 
probable  age  of  twenty-five  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  He 
leaves  behind  him  a  good  manv  descendants  who,  like  their 
venerated  ancestor,  are  mostly  of  the  Baptist  faith  and  order. 
He  intermarried  with  Miss  Celia  Hollyfield,  a  sister  of  Elder 
J.  Hollvfield. 


Padgett,  Elder  Alanson  was  born  April  10th,  1800,  in 
Rutherford  county,  N.  C.  Joined  the  church  at  High 
Shoals,  that  church  then  being  a  member  of  the  Broad  River 
Association.  In  1841  the  High  Shoals  church  was  dismissed, 


486  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

and  joined  in  the  organization  of  the  Green-  River  Associa- 
tion, and  Elder  Padgett  was  transferred  to-  that  bodv,  whe're- 
he  remained  an  active  member  until  1872,  when  Sandy 
Springs,  the  church  to  which  he  then  belonged,  was  dismiss- 
ed, and  joined  the  Broad  River  body  :  so  that  the  first  and' 
last  portions  of  his  ministerial  labors  were  spent  within  the- 
bounds  of  the  Broad  River  Association. 

While  a  member  of  High  Shoals,  on  January  24th r 
1848,  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  and  on  September  10th, 
1844,  he  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel  minis- 
try, by  Elders  J.  M.  Webb,  S.  G.  Hamilton  and  others,  from 
whom,  as  a  presby tery,  he  received  his  credentials. 

We  were  well  acquainted  with  Elder  Padgett,  and  be- 
lieved him  to  be  a  devoted  and  pious  christian  minister,  hum- 
ble and  condescending  toward  all  his  brethren,  and  ever 
ready  to  do  any  one  an  act  of  kindness.  He  was  a  good 
preacher,  his  style  or  manner  of  preaching  partaking  largely 
of  the  expository  character,  and  greatly  edifying  to  the  chris- 
tian portion  of  his  audience.  He  was  truly  an  orthodox  and 
sound  Baptist — never  was  tempted  or  tossed  about  by  every 
for  any)  wind  of  doctrine.  He  was  steadfast  and  immovable 
in  the  true  faith  of  the  Gospel,  and  we  are  informed  that 
when  death  approached  him  he  cheerfully  resigned  his  labors 
for  that  "rest  which  remaineth  to  the  people  of  God."  He 
died  February  2d,  1877. 

In  the  Minutes  of  the  Broad  River  Association  at  its 
session  of  1877,  we  find  recorded  : 

"We  mourn  the  death  of  Elder  A.   Padgett,  of  Sandy  Springs 
church,  who  died  February  2d,  1S77." 

How  brief  is  such  a  notice  of  a  good  minister  of  the 
Hew  Testament ! 


Padgett,  Elder  William  Bryson  appeared  first  in  the 
Broad  River  Association  in  1846  as  a  delegate  from  Camp's 
Creek  church,  then  an  ordained  minister.  He  continued 
to  be  a  member  of  the  Association,  and  delegate  from  the 
same  church,  until  the  session  of  1849,  after  which  we  find 
no  account  of  him  in  the  minutes  of  the  Association,  and 
learn  that  he  became  disorderly  and  was  deposed  from  the 
ministry.  At  the  session  of  1847  he,  with  Elder  W.  Hill, 
was  appointed  by  the  body  to  perform  some  missionary  labor 
in  the  extreme  eastern  section  of  the  Association  ;  that  in  con- 
nection with  his  pastoral  duties  at  Camp's  Creek,  Boiling 
Springs  and  Bethlehem  churches,  is  all  that  we  find  recorded 
of  him  in  the  minutes.  The  date  of  his  birth  we  know  not, 
but  suppose  it  was  about  1820. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  487 

Poston,  Elder  Furman  Hill  is  a  native  of  Cleveland 
•county,  N.  C.,  and  son  ot  Elder  Robert  Poston.  Born  July 
■3d,  1855.  Baptized  by  his  father  in  1871,  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  Zion  church.  Married  Miss  Alice  T.  Fulton,  (Sept. 
16th,  1873.  After  exercising  in  the  ministry  for  a  time  was 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry  in  1879, 
and  became  connected  with  the  Green  River  Association, 
but  is  at  this  time  a  member  of,  and  pastor  of,  Ross'  Grove 
■church,  within  the  bounds  of  the  King's  Mountain  Associa- 
tion. Elder  Poston  is  now  attending  Prof.  King's  academ- 
ical school,  at  Shelby,  N.  C,  with  a  view  to  the  obtaining  a 
better  education,  and  better  preparation  to  preach  the  un- 
searchable riches  of  Christ.     May  great  success  attend  him  ! 


Pannell,  Elder  Dove  was  a  native  of  South  Carolina, 
and  moved  within  the  bounds  of  the  Broad  River  Association 
about  the  year  1831,  and  joined  the  High  Shoals  church; 
■date  of  birth  unknown  to  author.  During  the  time  he  lived 
in  Rutherford  county  he  acted  as  a  civil  magistrate,  and  hav- 
ing joined  the  Baptist  church  he  was  licensed  by  the  High 
Shoals  church  to  preach  the  Gospel,  and  in  the  year  1844 
was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry,  by 
Eiders  J.  M.  Webb  and  S.  G.  Hamilton.  He  was  chosen 
pastor  ot  Bethel  church,  and  in  1851  he  was  a  member  of 
the  convention  that  organized  the  King's  Mountain  Associ- 
ation,  and  preached  the  introductory  sermon  before  that 
body  from  the  words,  "The  hour  is  come."  Elder  Pannell 
having  identified  himself  with  the  King's  Mountain  bodv, 
was  at  several  times  subsequently  chosen  to  preside  as  Mod- 
erator over  the  deliberations  of  the  body,  and  at  the  session 
of  1852  he  was  appointed  to  write  a  Circular  Letter  on  £he 
subject  of  Election, — which  letter,  out  of  respect  to  the  mem- 
ory of  Elder  Pannell,  we  reproduce  in  this  work.  At  the 
session  of  the  Association  in  1380,  as  will  appear  from  the 
journalistic  part  of  this  work,  a  division  of  the  Association 
took  place  on  the  subject  of  Temperance,  and  Elder  Pannell 
became  the  most  prominent  in  leadership  in  the  secession 
movement.  A  new  body  or  association  was  organized  the 
same  year,  and  continued  to  hold  annual  sessions  until  in 
1866,  a  reconciliation  was  effected  by  mutual  concession,  and 
ever  since  the  rival  parties  have  been  acting  together  in  har- 

11IODV. 

Elder  Pannell,  after  laboring  faithfully  many  years  in 
the  ministry,  under  great  disadvantages  by  reason  of  the 
lack  of  early  educational  training,  died  at  his  home  on  the 
26th  of  March,  1881,  in  the  exercise  of  the  Gospel  faith  he 
had  so  earnestly  preached.  v 


488  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

The  Association,  at  its  session  in  the  same  year,  noticed 
his  demise  on  the.  face  of  their  MinutesT  substantially  as 
above  stated.  He  was  a  well-meaning,  pious  christian  min- 
ister, and  doubtless  is  now  realizing  in  full  fruition  the  re- 
ward laid  up  for  the  finally  faithful. 

CIRCULAR  LETTER. 

To  the  Churches  Composing  the  King's  Mountain  Baptist  Association 

— Greeting  : , 

Dear  Brethren  : — According  to  custom  and  a  decision  of  your 
last  Association,  we  now  address  you  a  letter  on  the  subject  of  Elec- 
tion. First,  election  in  Scripture  means  God's  taking  a  whole  nation, 
community,  or  body  of  men  into  eternal  covenant  with  Himself,  by 
giving,  them  the  advantage  of  revelation,  as  a  rule  of  their  belief,, 
when  other  nations  were  left  without. — [See  Deut.  vii.  6.] 

Secondly.  As  regards  the  salvation  of  sinners,  it  means  God's 
eternal  purpose  that  He  had  in  Himself  before  the  world  began  ;  that 
through  His  Son  there  might  a  way  be  opened  or  made  from  earth 
to  Heaven  ;  that  through  this  way  sinners  might  be  saved  There- 
fore, the  Son  of  God  is  spoken  of  as  the  Elect  of  the  Father  ;  for  thus 
runs  the  Divine  sentence,  "Behold  my  servant  whom  I  uphold, 
mine  elect  in  whom  my  soul  delighteth."  [Isa.  xliii.  1.]  That  God 
the  Father  did  not  only  elect  His  Son  to  die  for  sinners,  but  chose 
the  means  and  instruments  through  which  the  means  were  to  be 
conveyed,  appears  obvious.  The  means  of  grace  are  the  Gospel ;  for 
it  pleased  God,  through  the  foolishness  of  preaching,  to  save  them 
that  believe.  "But  how  can  they  believe  in  Him  of  whom  they  have 
not  heard  ?  and  how  can  they  hear  without  a  preacher  ?  and  how 
can  he  preach  without  he  be  sent?"  [Rom.  x.]  It  is  clear,  then 
that  a  man  must  be  called  before  he  can  be  sent ;  and  that  God  calls 
men,  is  a  revealed  truth,  as  it  is  written:  "Listen,  O!  iles,  unto  me, 
and  hearken  ye  people  from  afar :  the  Lord  hath  called  me."  [Isa. 
xlix.  1.]  And  it  is  said  of  the  prophet  Jeremiah,  that  God  called 
him  and  ordained  him  before  he  came  into  existence.  [See  Jer.  i.  6.] 
Thus  we  see  that  those  prophets,  together  with  all  "the  ministry  of 
reconciliation,"  are  called  or  elected  according  to  God's  purpose  ;  for 
"whom  He  did  predestinate  to  be  conformed  to  the  image  of  His 
Son,  them  He  called  ;  ar,d  whom  He  called,  He  justified."  [Rom. 
viii.  6.]  So  also  when  Christ  came  into  the  world  in  the  days  of  His 
incarnation,  He  called  men  who  were  not  only  to  preach  the  Gospel, 
but  to  be  eye  and  ear  witnesses  to  the  miracles  which  He  did.  There- 
fore Peter  declares  that  "Pie  went  about  doing  good,  and  healing  all 
that  were  opyressed  with  the  Devil."  For  God  was  with  Him.  And 
wre  are  His  witnesses  of  all  things  which  He  did,  both  in  the  land 
of  the  Jews  and  in  Jerusalem,  whom  they  slew  and  hanged  on  a  . 
tree."     Him  God  raised  up  the  third  day  and  showed  Him  openly  — 

not  to  all  the  people,  but  unto  witnesses,  chosen  before  of  God  ;  even 
to  us,  who  did  eat  and  drink  with  Him  after  He  arose  from  the 
dead."   [Acts  x.  39,  40,  41.] 

We  sae,  therefore,  that  those  prophets  and  apostles,   were  God's 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  489 

elect :  chosen  before,  predestined  of  Him  to  be  witnesses  of  tbe  death, 
resurrection  and  ascension  of  the  Messiah.  And  that  all  tbose  thatbe- 
, lieved  God's  word  through  them  might  be  saved.  Hence,  we  see, 
when  Christ  was  going  to  leave  the  world,  He  addressed  the  Father, 
saying:  I  have  manifested  thy  name  unto  the  men  that  thou  gavesfc 
me  out  of  the  world,  and  I  pray  not  that  thou  shouldest  take  them 
out  of  the  world,  but  that  thou  shouldst  keep  them  from  evil ;  and 
neither  pray  I  for  these  alone,  but  for  them  also,  which  shall  believe 
on  me  through  thy  word,  that  the  world  may  believe  that  thou  hast 
sent  me.  (John  xviii.)  So,  as  Christ  came  into  the  world  and  died 
by  appointment,  to  save  sinners,  being  chosen  or  elected,  so  also,  He 
has  chosen  or  elected  men,  and  commanded  them  to  "go  imo  all  the 
world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature,  saying,  he  that  be- 
lieveth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved,  and  he  that  believeth  not  shall 
be  damned."  (Mark  xvi.) 

And,  Saint  Paul,  speaking  on  the  subject,  goes  on  to  show  that  Al- 
mighty God  had  laid  down  a  plan  to  gather  together  all  things  in 
Christ, thus  exclaims:  "Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  hath  blessed  us  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  heavenly 
places  in  Christ,  according  as  He  hath  chosen  us  in  Him  before  the  , 
foundation  of  the  world,  that  we  should  be  holy  and  without  blame 
before  Him  in  love;  that  in  the  dispensation  of  the  fullness  of  time, 
He  might  gather  together  in  one,  all  things  in  Christ"  (Eph.  i.  1-2.) 
It  is,  therefore,  through  the  agency  of  these  holy  men,  whom  God  hath 
chosen,  thatthe  word  oflife  is  preached  to  sinners.  And  not  only  the  ap- 
ostles, but  the  Lord  has  had,  and  now  has  ministers  of  hisown  choice 
whom  He  has  chosen  or  elected  to  preach  to  sinners,  and  to  gather 
them  unto  Christ,  that  they  mey  believe  and  be  saved.  And  sinners 
are  under  as  great  an  obligation  to  obey  the  Word  of  God  by  the 
mouth  of  His  messengers  as  if  God  called  Himself  unto  them.  Be- 
cause they  are  God's  chosen  instruments  for  this  purpose  ;  and  those 
that  believed  or  trusted,  after  that  ye  heard  the  Word  of  Truth,  the 
Gospel  of  your  salvation,  ye  were  sealed  with  that  holy  spirit  of 
promise  and  made  an  heir  of  God  and  a  joint  heir  with  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ ;  therefore  being  made  an  equal  heir  with  Christ,  the 
believer  becomes  one  with  Christ,  one  with  Hi!s  apostles,  one  with 
the  ministers  of  reconciliation,  and  consequently  the  whole  mass  of 
evangelical  believers  are  called  God's  elect ;  therefore  it  is  said,  He 
shall  send  His  angels  with  a  great  sound  of  a  trumpet,  and  they 
shall  gather  together  His  elect  from  the  four  winds  from  one  end  of 
heaven  to  the  other."   (Matt,  xxiv.) 

The  believer  being  thus  united  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  by  faith, 
the  declaration  is,  he  shall  be  saved  with  an  everlasting  salvation, 
for  He  saith,  "I  give  unto  them  eternal  life,  and  they  shall  never 
perish."  And  again,  "Ye  are  dead,  and  your  life  is  hid  with  Christ 
in  God,  and  when  Christ,  who  is  our  life  shall  appear,  then  shall  ye 
also  appear  with  Him  in  glory,  and  be  put  in  possession  of  that  in- 
heritance that  is  incorruptible  and  undenTed,  and  that  fadeth  not 
away,  reserved  in  Heaven  for  you,  who  are  kept  by  the  power  of 
62 


490  .  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

God,  ready  to  be  revealed  in  the  last  time."  [Gal.  iii.,  also  2  Peter  i.] 
It  is  said  by  some,  that  the  believer  may  be  a  chid  of  God  to-day, 
beloved  of  his  Redeemer,  and  on  his  way  to  heaven  ;  and  to-morrow 
he  may  lose  his  religion,  fall  from  grace,  and  go  to  eternal  perdition 
at  last.  Away  with  such  an  idea  from  the  earth  !  The  believer,  be- 
coming one  with  Christ,  by  drinking  into  the  same  spirit,  he  is 
called  the  seed  of  David  ;  that  is,  our  spiritual  David  which  is 
Christ — hence  the  language  of  Almighty  God  :  "Once  have  I  sworn 
by  my  holiness  that  I  will  not  lie  unto  David  (or  Christ)  that  his 
seed  shall  endure  forever,  and  his  throne  as  the  sun  before  me." 
[Psalms  lxxxix.  35,  36.] 

Again  we  hear  Christ  saying,  "I  am  the  good  shepherd  ;  I  lay 
down  my  life  for  the  sheep,  and  I  give  unto  them  eternal  life  and 
they  shall  never  perish  ;  neither  shall  any  pluck  them  out  of  my 
hand  ;  and  my  Father  who  is  greater  than  all,  gave  them  me,  and 
none  is  able  to  pluck  them  out  of  my  Father's  hand."  [John  x.] 
Hence  we  see  the  plan  of  Almighty  God  in  saving  sinners,  and 
bringing  them  into  eternal  rest  at  His  right  hand,  where  they  shall 
enjoy  His  peaceful  presence  throughout  long  eternity.  But  when 
we  view  the  goodness  of  God  in  man's  redemption,  in  sending  His 
Son  into  the  world  to  die  for  men,  and  also  calling  men  of  like  pas- 
sions with  ourselves  to  go  to  the  impenitent  sinner  and  call  upon 
him  to  repent,  and  he,  like  Pharaoh  of  old,  refuse  to  obey,  we  are 
often  constrained  to  cry  out  and  say,  "How  long,  O,  Lord,  will  Thy 
goodness  and  forbearance  and  long  suffering  continue  with  the  im- 
penitent sinner?"  For  He  willeth  not  the  death  of  the  sinner,  and 
though  after  long  striving  with  such  an  individual,  after  trying  him 
with  the  various  incitements  which  are  best  calculated  to  stir  a  ra- 
tional creature  and  agitate  an  immortal  mind,  God  may  withdraw- 
all  the  aids  of  the  spirit,  and  so  give  him  over  to  hardness  of  heart 
and  reprobacy  of  mind,  to  work  out  his  own  destruction  with  greed- 
iness, as  in  the  case  of  the  Egyptian  King  of  whom  it  is- said,  "God 
hardened  his  heart;"  and  when  the  expression  is  repeated  so  as  to 
make  a  continual  and  onward  hardening,  we  have  no  other  idea  of 
the  meaning  than  that  God,  moved  by  the  obstinacy  of  Pharaoh, 
withdrew  from  him  all  the  restraints  of  His  grace,  and  as  those  re- 
straints were  more  and  more  removed,  the  heart  of  the  King  was 
more  and  more  hardened.  We  look  upon  the  instance  as  a  precise 
illustration  of  the  truth,  that  "whatsoever  a  man  soweth  that  shall 
he  also  reap."  The  King  sowed  obstinacy,  and  consequently  reaped 
obstinacy;  The  seed  was  put  into  the  soil,  and  nothing  more  was 
required  than  that  it  should  be  left  to  vegetate  and  act  out  its  own 
nature,  to  wit :  infidelity.  This  was  the  seed  sown  by  the  Egyptian 
King,  when  he  rejected  the  miracles  and  disobeyed  the  commands 
of  the  Almighty,  who  sent  His  elected  or  chosen  servant,  to  wit : 
Moses,  saying  :  "Let  my  people  go,"  which  grew  into  a  greater  de- 
gree of  hardness  and  persisting  on  in  his  rebellion,  he  was  over- 
thrown with  his  army  and  perished  in  the  sea. 

But  unto  you  that  fear  my  name  shall  the  Sun  of  Righteousness 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  491 

arise  with  healing  in  His  wings ;  and  you  shall  be  mine  when  I 
come  to  make  up  my  jewels,  and  I  will  spare  them  as  a  man  spareth 
his  own  son  that  serveth  him,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

Finally,  may  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  with  the  union 
and  communion  of  His  Holy  Spirit  be  with  His  elect  children  for- 
ever more.    Amen. 

Thine  to  serve  in  all  good  things.  Dove  Pannell, 

October  24th,  1854. 


Phillips,  Elder  Gabriel  was  a  member  of  Friendship 
church,  and  delegate  to  the  Broad  River  Association  at  its 
session  in  1819,  then  a  licensed  preacher.  He  was  ordained 
to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  sometime  during  that  or  the 
next  year,  and  was  a  delegate  to  the  next  sessions  of  1820- 
'21-'22-'23-'24-'25-'26-'27,  at  which  last  session  he  was 
chosen  Moderator  of  the  body.  At  the  previous  session 
(1826)  he  wTas  appointed  by  the  Association  to  prepare  a 
Circular  Letter  on  the  subject  of  Intemperance,  which  we 
here  reproduce  in  this  work  as  a  memento. 

We  are  without  information  as  to  the  birth  or  demise 
of  Elder  Phillips,  but  as  there  is  no  notice  of  his  death  in 
the  Minutes  of  the  body,  we  presume  he  emigrated  in  his 
old  age  to  some  other  State  or  iield  of  labor.  He  appears 
to  have  been  a  prominent  minister  of  the  Gospel  in  the  time 
he  lived.  And  his  views,  which  are  embodied  in  the  letter 
he  wrote  on  Intemperance,  are  certainly  very  sound,  and 
should  be  put  into  practice  by  all  those  who  would  lead  quiet 
and  orderly  lives,  and  desire  the  furtherance  of  the  Gospel 
of  Christ : 

CIRCULAR   LETTER. 

The  Broad  River  Baptist  Association,  to  the  Churches  in  Union — 

Greeting  : 

Dear  Brethren  : — Intemperance,  that  bane  of  society — that  great 
moral  sin — being  the  subject  proposed  for  this  Circular  Letter,  we 
will  proceed  to  recount  a  few  of  its  miseries.  From  the  creation  to 
the  present  day  the  world  has  by  intemperance  been  involved  in 
misery.  Noah  was  "a  preacher  of  righteousness  previous  to  intoxi- 
cation ;  the  righteous  soul  of  just  Lot  was  vexed  from  day  to  day  at 
the  deeds  of  the  wicked,  but  he  became  intemperate  and  committed 
incest.  Subsequent  silence  seems  designed  as  a  punishment  of  these 
two  men,  as  the  reward  of  their  intemperance.  Belshazzer,  the 
great  King  of  Babylon,  by  intemperance  lost  his  kingdom  and  his 
life.  Scriptural  quotations  on  this  subject  might  be  multiplied,  but 
as  brevity  is  our  intent  these  may  suffice.  But,  beloved  brethren, 
as  the  ages  of  the  world  have  multiplied,  the  awful  voice  of  intem- 
perance and  its  consequent  direful  effects  have  increased  in  a  ten-fold 
ratio ;  the  present  age  might  emphatically  be  styled  the  drunken 
age,  so  much  does  inebriety  prevail. 


492  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

A  late  writer  tells  us  that  temperance,  by  fortifying  the  mind 
and  body,  leads  to  happiness  ;  intemperance,  by  enervating  them, 
leads  to  misery  ;  and  those  who  destroy  a  healthy  constitution  of 
body  by  intemperance,  do  as  manifestly  kill  themselves  as  those 
who  hang,  poison  or  drown  themselves.  Virtue  is  no  enemy  to 
pleasure,  but  on  the  contrary  is  its  most  certain  friend.  Her  office 
is  to  regulate  our  desires,  that  we  may  enjoy  pleasures  with  modera- 
tion, and  then  our  relish  for  them  will  continue. 

Some,  alas  !  have  recourse  to  ardent  spirits  as  a  refuge  from  mis- 
fortune, but  this-is  the  most  frail,  the  most  broken  of  all  reeds:  the 
solace  is  short-lived  ;  every  fresh  dose  makes  way  for  another  till  the 
miserable  wretch  becomes  the  slave  of  his  intoxication,  and  falls  a 
sacrifice  to  his  false  medicine.  How  different  the  life  of  the  wise, 
who  rest  their  case  on  the  stable  hope  of  an  all-wise  Providence, 
who  chastens  whom  he  would  amend,  and  afflicts  whom  he  would 
exhalt !  O  ye  !  who,  by  ardent  liquid  poison  into  your  frames  daily 
infused,  madly  dare  to  rush  into  the  presence  of  your  omnipotent 
Judge  as  in  defiance  of  his  wrath,  reflect,  O  !  ere  it  be  too  late,  reflect, 
and  hurl  the  poisoning  cup  away  ! 

That  there  is  an  hereafter,  conscience,  as  though  with  powerful 
lungs,  proclaims  to  all :  then  it  must  be  an  awful  thing  to  die  !  but 
still  more  to  die  by  one's  own  hand  ;  for  that  daily  intoxication  is 
mature,  deliberate  suicide,  every  one  in  his  senses  will  surely  allow. 
Remember  that  use,  custom  and  habit  are  but  synonymous  terms 
for  the  thing  called  second  nature ;  that  this  second  nature  is,  than 
our  first,  more  stubborn,  more  difficult  to  be  subdued.  Remember 
also,  that  by  little,  unsuspecting  beginnings,  murderous  inebriety 
usurps  her  reign  ;  then  resist  her  first  advances,  beware  of  her  be- 
witching smiles  that  would  allure  you  to  her  fatal  grasp. 

Those  who  pride  themselves  on  living  fast,  and  are  bent  on  a 
short  and  merry  life,  as  they  call  it  (though  we  should  term  it  a  mis- 
erable one,)  may  spurn  at  these  admonitions  and  rush  headlong  to 
their  own  destruction  ;  but  let  them  beware,  for  the  day  of  retribu- 
tion is  at  hand,  their  short-lived  imaginary  pleasures  are  the  certain 
avenues  to  eternal,  real  pains.  If.  when  we  died.,  we  ceased  to  be — 
if  death  were  nothing  but  a  return  to  the  barren  womb  of  nothing 
whence  we  sprung — then  might  the  wretch,  weary  of  life  and  by 
sorrow  worn,  give  misery  the  slip  and  steal  from  being  Avhen  he 
pleased ;  but  even  in  that  case  why  not  prefer  the  halter  or  the 
knife?  Why  die  by  inches?  Why  make  daily  attempts  on  one's 
own  life  by  murderous,  liquid  fire?  No  reason  why,  but  that  wick- 
edness is  abroad  in  the  land  ;  and  in  our  own  land  proverbially  so, 
we  blushingly  subscribe  to  the  proverb. 

Societies  have  been  recently  established  in  our  different  seaports 
for  the  suppression  of  intoxication  ;  medicines  have  been  publicly 
vended  and  dispensed  throughout  the  union,  the  benign  effects  of 
which,  'tis  said,  will  deter  the  tippling  maniac  and  bid  him  sin  no 
more.  Amen  !  say  we,  to  the  successful  issues  of  these  humane 
efforts :  and  let  us,  dear  brethren,   unite  in   earnest  supplication  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  493 

the  great  Creator,  that  His  creatures  may  cease  to  defile  the  image 
•of  their  Maker  by  brutal  sensuality,  as  in  that  image  they  were  cre- 
mated ;  and  verily  we  say  unto  them  that  in  brutalizing  the  creature, 
they  heinously  oftend  the  Creator.  Gabriel  Phillips. 

October  19th,  1827. 


Posey,  Elder  Humphrey  is  claimed  by  some  as  having 
once  been  a  member  of  the  Broad  River  Association  about 
the  year  1806,  but  we  do  not  find  irom  the  Minutes  that  he 
ever  was.  But  inasmuch,  as  he  performed  a  great  deal  of 
ministerial  labor  within  the  bounds  of  the  Broad  River  As- 
sociation, in  the  character  of  an  Evangelist,  or  Missionary, 
■about  that  time,  we  have  thought  proper  to  copy  from  Dr. 
Cathcart's  Encyclopedia,  the  following  account  of  him  : 

"Rev  Humphrey  Posey,  an  eminent  Baptist  minister,  was  dis- 
tinguished for  his  benevolent  spirit  and  great  abilities.  He  was 
above  the  ordinary  size  with  a  large  frame,  and  a  fine  face  and  head. 
Born  in  Henry  county,  Va.,  January  12th,  1780  he  commenced 
preaching  in  1803, and  was  ordained  in  1805, in  Buncombe  county,  N. 
C,  and,  among  others,  preached  to  the  Cherokee  Indians.  He  was 
regularly  appointed  a  missionary  to  the  Cherokees  at  Valley  Town, 
in  North  Carolina,  by  the  Baptist  Mission  Board,  of  Philadelphia, 
in  1817,  and  maintained  his  connection  with  the  mission  until  1821, 
accomplishing  great  good.  In  1824  he  settled  in  Cherokee,  Ga.,  and 
became  a  very  successful  agent  for  the  Hearn  School,  relieving  it  of 
much  pecuniary  embarassment.  In  1S44,  he  married  a  second  time, 
.and  removed  to  Newman,  where  he  died,  Dec.  28th,  1816.  Dr.  J.  H. 
Campbell  in  his  Georgia  Baptist  records  it  'as  his  deliberate  convic- 
tion that -Humphrey  Posey  was  naturally  one  of  the  greatest  men, 
and  for  his  limited  opportunities,  one  of  the  greatest  preachers  he 
has  ever  known.  His  person,  his  countenance,  his  voice,  the  throes 
of  his  gigantic  mind,  the  conceptions  of  his  large  christian  soul,  all 
proclaimed  him  great.'  The  first  time  Dr.  Campbell  ever  met  him 
was  at  the  Georgia- Baptist  Convention,  in  1835,  near  Penfield,  and 
the  doctor  says,  'such  men  as  Mercer,  Sanders,  Dawson,  Thornton, 
Mallary,  Brooks,  and  others  were  there,  but  Posey  was  a  giant  among 
them  all.'  Dr.  C.  D.  Mallary  wrote  and  published  a  'Life  of  Hum- 
phrey Posey.' 


Poston,  Elder  Robert  was  born  in  Cleveland  county, 
3jT.  C,  February  4th,  1825.  Converted  in  early  life,  and  in 
1852,  appeared  in  the  session  of  the  King's  Mountain  Asso- 
ciation as  a  licensed  preacher  and  delegate  from  the  Double 
Springs  church.  In  that  same  year  he  was  ordained  to  the 
full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  And  again  in  1853-'54-'55, 
was  a  delegate  and  ordained  minister  from  the  same  church 
to  the  Association.     He  then  intermarried  with   Miss   Julia 


434  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

London,  an  estimable  young  lady  of  his  own  county,  and 
joined  Zion  church  by  letter,  and  was  chosen  pastor  also  of 
the  same  church.  In  1857,  he  appears  on  the  minutes  as 
pastor  and  delegate  from  the  same  church,  which  relation- 
ship he  continued  to  fill  for  a  number  of  years.  In  1866,  he 
was  chosen  moderator  of  the  Association,  and  prepared  the 
Circular  Letter  on  Temperance,  which  was  adopted  by  the 
Association  the  next  year.  He  has  been  pastor  of  several 
of  the  King's  Mountain  churches  for  limited  periods,  and  is- 
now  we  believe  pastor  of  Mount  Harmony  church,  while  his- 
membership  is  still  with  the  Zion  church. 

Elder  Poston  as  a  hard  laboring  tiller  of  the  soil,  and 
by  frugality  and  industrious  habits  has  reared  a  large  family  T 
and  lives  well  at  home.  He  has  one  son  laboring  in  the 
ministry  within  the  bounds  of  the  Green  River  Association. 
Elder  Robert  Poston's  scholastic  advantages  have  been  but 
moderate.  He  has,  however,  labored  hard  to  educate  him- 
self, since  he  engaged  in  ministerial  work,  and  besides  being- 
orthodox  in  the  faith,  he  has  made  great  improvements  in 
preaching  the  gospel,  and  is  held  in  great  esteem  for  his- 
godly  walk  and  conversation.  Subjoined  is  the  circular  let- 
ter prepared  by  him  on  Temperance,  which  we  have  thought 
proper  to  reproduce. 

CIRCULAR   LETTER. 

The  King's  Mountain  Baptist  Association — To  the  Churches  in  Union, 

sendeth  Christian  Salutation — Greeting  : 

Dear  Brethren  : — In  compliance  with  an  act  of  the  last  year's 
council,  we  address  you  a  short  Circular  Letter,  on  the  subject  of 
Temperance.  In  writing  upon  a  subject  that  has  employed  both  the 
talent  and  the  pens  of  so  many  wise  and  good  men,  we  are  at  a  non 
plus — not  knowing  how  to  present  the  subject  in  any  new  light,  or 
add  any  new  interest — but  perhaps  we  can  "stir  up  your  pure  minds, 
by  way  of  remembrance,"  if  nothing  more. 

Temperance,  in  a  Scriptural  sense,  is  a  principal  that  acts  upon 
the  passions,  and  so  controls  them  as  to  keep  them  in  subjection  to 
the  laws  of  moderation  and  prudence,  and  by  which  we  are  enabled 
to  abstain  from  all  things  pernicious,  and  to  use  in  moderation  all 
things  lawful  and  expedient, — in  doing  of  which  it  acts  in  such 
close  connection  with  the  other  christian  graces  that  the  Apostle 
Peter  would  have  those  who  had  escaped  the  corruption  that  is  in 
the  world,  through  lusts,  to  add  it  (in  common  with  the  other 
graces)  to  their  faith  :  when  he  says,  ''And  besides  this,  giving  all 
diligence,  add  to  your  faith  virtue,  and  to  temperance  patience,  and 
to  patience  godliness,  brotherly  kindness,  and  to  brotherly  kindness 
charity."  These  all  being  so  dependent,  one  upon  the  other,  that  no 
one  of  them  can  have  its  perfect  work  without  the  others ;  and  as 
faith  sweetly  works  by  love,  and  purifies  the  heart,  so  temperance 
gently  works  by  moderation  and  prudence,  and  thereby  governs  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  495 

passions;  and  as  faith  operated  on  the  mind  in  renovating  our  na- 
tures, so  temperance  acts  upon  the  passions  in  regulating  our  actions. 
The  observance  of  temperance  is  one  of  the  works  of  which  James 
•speaks,  when  he  says  .  "Show  me  thy  faith  without  thy  works,  and 
I  show  thee  my  faith  by  my  works."  Again,  "As  the  body  without 
the  spirit  is  dead,  so  faith  without  works  is  dead  also."  While  it  is 
■the  business  of  faith  to  control  the  outward,  man — and  we  are  not  to 
he  judged  according  to  our  faith,  but  according  to  our  works — there- 
fore it  is  that  by  works  faith  is  made  perfect. 

Temperance  is  both  a  principle  and  a  virtue ;  for  while  Peter 
■speaks  of  it  as  a  principle,  Paul  speaks  of  it  as  a  virtue,  and  as  one 
of  the  fruits  of  the  spirit.  For  he,  after  pointing  out  to  the  brethren 
■at  Galatia,  the  manifest  works  of  the  flesh,  such  as  emulations,  strife, 
hatred,  murders,  drunkenness,  and  such  like  deeds  of  unbridled 
■sensual  indulgencies,  adds  "that  they  that  do  such  things,  shall  not 
inherit  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven."  "But  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is 
iove,  joy,  peace,  long  suffering,  gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meek- 
ness, temperance,"  and  says  against  such  holy  dispositions  there  is 
no  law.  Hence,  as  a  principle,  it  acts  upon  the  passions, and  produces 
s  moderation  and  prudence,  and  is  tantamount  to  a  good  regulator  of 
•society. 

Having  thus  in  a  few  words  defined  this  complex  term,  we 
would  say  that  we  should  not  have  such  contracted  views  of  temper- 
ance as  to  think  it  respects  the  appetite  only.    We  are  striving  for 
the  mastery  over  all  our  sensual  propensities,  that  we  may  obtain  an 
incorruptible  crown.    Temperance  was  honored  by  the  example  of 
our  Savior,  who  also  taught  it  by  precept,  and  after  speaking  of  the 
last  day,  and  of  the  final  dissolution  of  all  things,  says  :  "Take  heed 
to  yourselves,  lest  at  any  time  your  hearts  be  overcharged  with  sur- 
feiting and  drunkenness,  and  the  cares  of  this  life,  and  so  that  day 
come  upon  you  unawares.    Again  He  reproved  the  Pharisees  for 
their  intemperance  and  hvpocrisy  and  said  :  "Woe  unto  you  Scribes 
and  Pharisees,  hypocrites,  for  ye  pay  tithes  of  mint,  anise,  and  cum- 
min, and  have  omitted  the  weightier  matters  of  the  law,  judgment, 
mercy  and  faith  ;  these  ought  ye  to  have  done,  and  not  to  leave  the 
others  undone  ;  ye  blind  guides,  which  .strain  at  a  gnat  and  swallow 
a  camel,  ye  make  clean  the  outside  of  the  cup  and  platter,  but  within 
they  are  full  of  extortion   and  excess."    The    apostle  Paul  would 
recommend  this  principle  to  Titus,  when  he  said  :  "But  speak  thou 
the  things  that  become  sound  doctrine,  that  the  aged  men  be  sober, 
grave,  temperate  ;  likewise  exhort  the  young  men  to  be  sober-mind- 
ed, for  the  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  salvation  hath  appeared  to  all 
men,  teaching  us  that  denying  ungodly  and  worldly  lusts  we  should 
live  soberly,   righteously  and  godly  in  this  present  world."    The 
apostle  Peter  insists  upon  the  practice  of  this  virtue,   saying  for  the 
time  past  of  our  life  may  suffice  to  have  wrought  the  will  of  the  Gen- 
tiles, when  we  walked  in  lasciviousness,  lusts,  excess  of  wine,  revel- 
ings,  banquetings,  and  abominable  idolatries."    And  again  he  says, 
"Dearly  beloved,   I  beseech  you  as  strangers  and  pilgrims,  abstain 


496  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

from  fleshly  lusl^s  which  war  against  the  soul."  We  are  also  admon- 
ished, in  the  exercise  of  prudence,  to  abstain  from  all  appearance  of 
evil,  and  to  let  our  moderation  be  known  unto  all  men."  Many 
other  Scriptures  might  be  adduced  to  sustain  this  principle,  but  we 
deem  it  unnecessary,  and  would  now  urge  the  necessity  of  the  ob- 
servance of  this  principle  upon  all  men,  and  especially  the  young, 
as  a  safeguard  against  the  baneful  influences  of  turbulent  passions ; 
it  is  both  the  armament  and  defence  of  the  christian,  and  is  requi'J 
site  in  every  situation  and  in  every  enterprise,  and  upon  all  occa- 
sions ;  without  it  we  are  exposed  to  all  the  merciless  waves  of  intem- 
perance, without  an  anchor.  Let  us  therefore  "nse  the  world  as  not 
abusing  it,"  showing  all  good  fidelity,  that  we  may  adorn  the  doc- 
trine of  God  our  Savior  in  all  things,  looking  for  that  blessed  hope,, 
and  the  glorious  appearing  of  the  Great  God  and  our  Savior,  Jesus 
Christ. 

Brethren,  we  commend  you  to  God,  and  to  the  word  of  His  grace, 
who  is  able  to  build  you  up,  and  give  you  an  inheritance  with  them 
that  are  sanctified.  May  grace  be  with  you  all.  Amen. 

Robert  Boston. 
September  16th,  1867. 

Pursbly,  Elder  Thomas  Kikg  is  a  native  of  York  coun- 
ty, S.C.  Born  about  the  year  1814.  Professed  conversion 
about  1836,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  soon  afterward.  He 
was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  about  the  year 
1838.  Joined  the  Antioch  church  by  letter,  and  was  chosen 
pastor  that  year,  and  was  sent  as  one  of  her  delegates  to  the 
Broad  River  Association  at  Green  River  church.  In  1839 
he  was  chosen  pastor  of  Long  Creek,  Zoar  and  Mount  Ara- 
rat, and  represented  Antioch  in  the  session  of  the  Association 
that  vear,  and  again  in  1840.  About  this  time  he  married  the 
daughter  of  Elder  Spencer  Morgan,  and  transferred  his 
membership  to  Providence  church,  where  he  labored  as 
joint  pastor  ofthe  church  with  his  father-in-law.  He  after- 
wards joined  Corinth  church,  and  still  continued  a  member 
of  tbe  Association  from  Corinth  until  1850.  He  then  moved 
to  tlie  State  of  Georgia,  and  connected  himself  with  the  Bap- 
tist brotherhood  of  that  State,  where,  after  laboring  in  tbe 
ministry  for  a  time,  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  the  use  of  one 
of  his  arms,  which  finally  withered  away. 

Elder  Pursely  was  an  uneducated  minister,  and  of  mod- 
erate preaching  talent.  In  the  first,  or  early  part  of  his 
ministry,  he  manifested  a  ^reat  deal  of  zeal  in  the  discharge 
of  his  ministerial  duties,  and  sometimes  succeeded  in  waking 
up  a  good  deal  of  interest  in  tbe  cause  of  religion,  and  he 
baptized  a  number  of  converts  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
churches  where  he  labored. 

We  believe  that  he  yet  lives,  and  labors  in  the  cause  of 
the  Master;  and  although  he  is  doubtless  beginning  to  feel 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  497 

the  infirmities  of  age  and  decrepitude,  yet  we  hope,  through, 
the  Providence  of  God,  he' may  yet  be  spared  to  accomplish 
more  than  ever  in  the  cause  of  Christ. 


Quin,  Bro.  Hugh  was  a  member  of  Buffalo  church, 
York  county,  S.  C.  At  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  As- 
sociation in  1820  he  made  his  first  appearance  in  the  body 
at  Mountain  Creek  as  a  lay  delegate.  He  again  appeared 
in  the  body  in  like  manner  in  1822  at  Mount  Zion  church, 
and  in  the  session  of  1823  at  Reedy  River  he  appeared  as  a 
delegate  and  licensed  preacher.  The  same  in  1824  at  First 
Broad  River,  and  Buffalo  in  1825,  Macedonia  in  1826,  and 
New  Prospect  in  1827.  At  this  latter  session  he  was  elected 
Clerk  of  the  Association,  and  at  the  last  previous  session  he 
was  appointed  to  write  a  Circular  Letter  on  Law  and  Graces 
which  we  reproduce,  out  of  regard  to  the  memory  of  Bro. 
Quin.  Soon  after  the  session  of  1827  he  emigrated  to  the 
State  of  Georgia,  where  we  suppose  he  continued  to  exercise 
in  the  ministration  of  the  Word.  He  was  a  verv  good  En- 
glish  scholar,  and  fluent  speaker;  but,  we  believe  that  dur- 
ing his  seven  or  eight  years  connection  with  the  Broad  River 
Association,  he  was  never  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
gospel  ministry.  We  have  heard  him  preach  and  lecture, 
on  baptismal  occasions,  (we  thought)  with  considerable 
ability.  He  married  Mrs.  Fannie  Allison,  nee  Miss  Fannie 
Carruth,  and  lived  several  years  on  Main  Broad  river,  at 
the  crossing  of  Main  Broad  river  now  known  as  Ellis'  Ferry, 
but  then  known  as  Quin's  Ferry.  He  was  a  well  to  do  far- 
mer and  good  citizen,  of  very  respectable  connections,  a 
large  number  of  whom  emigrated  to  the  Southwest  before 
he  did,  and  have  amassed  wiealth  and  distinction  in  the 
homes  of  their  adoption.  '  Hugh  Quin  is  a  son  of  Peter 
Quin  who,  with  Abraham  Collins  [being  loyalists]  was  en- 
trusted with  a  dispatch  from  Maj.  Patrick  Ferguson,  then 
at  Gilberttown,  in  Rutherford  county,  1ST.  C,  to  Lord  Corn- 
wallis,  at  Charlotte,  N.  C,  to  send  him  succor,  which  they 
failed  to  deliver  in  time  to  prevent  his  destruction  at  King's 
Mountain  on  7th  of  October,  1780.  Hugh  Quin  wTas  prob- 
ably born  four  or  five  years  after  that  period  of  time. 

CIRCULAR  LETTER. 

The  Broad  River  Baptist  Association,  to  the  Churches  in  Union — 
Greeting  : 

Dear  Brethren: — We  address  you  this  year  on  the  subject  of 

Law  and  Grace,  distinguished.     In  the  prosecution  of  this  subject, 

we  shall  give  a  brief  explanation  of  what  is  meant  by  law,  and  en- 
deavor to  explain  its  office.  Secondly,  we  shall  explain  the  term 
grace,  and  show  its  office,  and  mark  the  distinction  by  way  of  con- 
clusion. 

63 


498  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Law,  in  its  most  general  and  comprehensive  sense,  signifies  a 
rule  of  action,  and  is  applied  indiscriminately  to  all  to  whom  it  is 
considered  to  be  given,  as  that  rale  of  action  which  is  prescribed  by 
some  superior,  and  which  the  inferior  is  bound  to  obey  Thus, 
when  God-created  matter  out  of  nothing,  and  formed  the  universe, 
he  impressed  certain  principles  upon  its  component  matter  from 
which  it  can  never  depart,  and  without  which  it  would  cease  to  be. 
And  on  putting  that  matter  into  motion  he  established  certain  laws 
of  motion  to  which  all  movable  bodies  must  conform.  In  like  man- 
ner when  He  made  man  to  inhabit  the  universe,  He  gave  him  a  law 
or  laws  which,  so  long  as  they  were  observed,  were  realized  by  man 
to  be  "Holy,  just  and  good,"  because  they  were  and  are  the  eternal 
rule  of  right,  by  which  the  Deity  determined  to  act,  but  as  soon  as 
they  were  violated  his  original  happiness  ceased  to  be. 

The  particular  laws  mentioned  in  the  Scriptures  are,  1st:  The 
moral  law  ;  2nd,  the  ceremonial,  and  3rd,  the  judicial, — to  which 
might  be  added  the  law  of  nature  and  reason,  which  the  Gentile 
world  had  before  the  written  law  had  ever  reached  them.  And  it  is 
matter  of  great  moment  properly  to  distinguish  the  several  laws,  in 
order  to  a  proper  understanding  of  the  Scriptures  ;  but  as  we  have 
not  sufficient  room  here  to  make  those  distinctions,  we  shall  confine 
ourselves  to  the  moral  law,  in  which  consists  our  duty  towards  God 
and  each  other.  But  how  unavailing  is  the  tongue  and  pen  of  man 
to  give  an  adequate  idea  of  the  law  of  a  God  of  attributes  and  per- 
fections so  infinite  and  transcendent!  God  Himself  has,  in  great 
condescension  and  mercy,  taken  care  to  engage  our  attention  to  its 
importance  by  His  manner  of  introducing  it  into  the  world.  [Exo- 
dus, 19th  chap.] 

1st,  Three  days  in  preparing  the -Israelites,  and  engaging  their 
attention  to  receive  it.  2nd,  Supernatural  thunder  and  lightning, 
and  a  thick  cloud.  3rd,  the  voice  of  the  trumpet  exceedingly  loud, 
making  all  the  people  in  the  camp  to  tremble.  4th,  Mount  Sinai 
covered  with  smoke.  5th,  the  Lord  descended  upon  it  in  fire,  and 
tbe  whole  Mount  from  the  summit  to  the  base  greatly  quaked  ;  and* 
6th,  the  mere  mount,  from  which  it  was  given,  was  so  sacred  that  it 
was  immediate  death  for  any  but  Moses  and  Aaron  to  touch  it. 

If  its  promulgation  be  thus  tremendous  and  awful,  how  awfully 
tremendous  and  terrible  must  that  law  itself  be,  which  is  armed 
with  incomprehensible  vengeance  !  demands  perfect  and  perpetual 
obedience,  and  hurls  the  thunder  of  its  curses  down  upon  a  law- 
violating  world.  [Gal.  iii.  10.] 

By  this  law  is  the  knowledge  of  sin,  as  sin  consists  in  any  vio- 
lation of  the  law,  or  any  want  of  conformity  to  it.  Where  there  -is 
no  law  there  is  no  transgression  (or  sin  ;)  without  sin  no  death,  as 
death  is  the  wages  of  sin  ;  and  as  death  reigned  fronjAdam  to  Moses, 
we  conclude  that  this  law  was  made  known  to  man  from  Adam  to 
Moses,  though  not  declared  to  the  world  in  so  conspicuous  a  man- 
ner. And  the  Gentiles,  who  had  not  the  written  law,  ''were  a  law 
unto  themselves,"  and  violated  a  law  for  wiich  they  stood  condemn- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  499 

ed.  "They  that  have  sinned  without  law,  shall  perish  without 
law."  Kom.  i.  1:!.  From  these  premises  we  draw  die  conclusion 
that  mankind  generally  have  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  substance 
of  this  law  to  be  condemned  for  the  violation  of  it. 

But  nowhere  are  we  informed  in  the  Sacred  Scriptures  that 
man's  compliance  with  this  law  can  give  life,  since  he  is  fallen 
under  its  curse  and  penalty,  which  is  death.  Moreover,  no  mere 
man  since  the  fall  has  been  able  to  keep  the  law  ;  and  if  there 
should  be  one  found  that  could  comply  with  its  requisitions,  it  could 
not  save  his  soul  since,  "by  the  deeds  of  the  law,  no  flesh  shall  be 
justified  in  the  sight  of  God."  The  law  is  the  broad  rule  that  dis- 
tinguishes betwixt  right  and  wrong ;  and  as  all  who  in  a  state  of 
nature  are  wrong,  the  law  is  evidently  designed  to  ascertaiu  the  case 
of  poor  guilty  sinners,  and  show  them  their  condemnation.  * 

But  the  fulfillment  of  this  law  is  in  the  Son  of  God,  the  Savior 
of  poor,  guilty  and  condemned  sinners.  The  requisitions  of  the 
law  are  complied  with,  and  its  penalty  paid  in  the  obedience  and 
death  of  Christ,  and  through  the  atonement  by  him  made  for  his 
people,  grace  pours  like  a  stream  to  relieve  and  eternally  save  every 
guilty  sinner,  who  comes  to  Christ  with  full  sincerity  of  heart,  and 
prays  aright  for  life  and  salvation.  "The  law  came  by  Moses,  but 
grace  and  truth  came  by  Jesus  Christ-"  But  grace  must  be  received 
as  grace  ;  that  is,  as  the  free  and  unmerited  gift  of  God,  which  alone 
can  save  us,  and  it  is  in  its  nature  as  unconditional  as  it  is  free,  and 
could  not  be  free  if  conditional.  If  it  were  not  so  the  compliance 
with  a  stipulated  condition  would  purchase  it;  and  a  purchased  gift 
is  a  solecism  in  terms,  which  brings  us  to  the  irresistible  conclusion 
that  salvation  is  not  merited  by  poor,  unholy  man,  either  in  whole 
or  in  part.  But  by  pure,  unmixed,  heavenly  and  divine  grace  are 
ye  saved  through  faith,  which  is  productive  of  good  works.  The 
atoning  blood  of  Christ  is  the  meritorious  cause — faith  in  Him,  the 
vehicle  through  which  it  is  conveyed  to  the  soul,  and  good  works 
its  declarative  evidence.  The  law  condemning  the  sinner  for  having 
violated,  and  continuing  in  the  violation  of  it,  and  passes  the  senfc 
ence  of  death  upon  him. 

But  oh!  view  the  contrast  between  law  and  grace.  Grace 
_th rough  Jesus  Christ  brings  to  the  soul  a  satisfaction  of  that  law  by 
Him  our  surety — with  the  surety  and  satisfaction  by  Him  made  for 
His  people.  God  is  well  pleased— calls  not  upon  us  to  do  the  works 
of  the  law  and  live,  but  to  repent,  believe,  be  baptized  and  saved— 
in  obedience,  but  ndt  for  it.  The  law  in  its  spiritual  office  shows 
the  heart  of  man  to  be  in  its  very  essence,  violation,  rebellion  and 
enmity  against  God  and  His  law.  Grace  changes  the  heart  to  com- 
pliance, submission  and  love  to  God  and  His  laws.  Yet  the  law  is 
not  made  void  through  faith,  but  rather  established  for  the  soul  that 
realizes  the  pardoning  grace  and  love  of  God— through  Christ  "de- 
lights in  the  law  of  God  after  the  inward  man,"  and  desires  to  make 
it  his  "rule  of  action."  Yet  he  is  not  under  the  law,  but  under 
grace,   therefore  sin  shall  not  have  dominion  over  him.     Grace  de- 


5C0  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

throned  the  law,  as  to  its  condemning  power,  and  "reigns  through 
righteousness  unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 

O  !  Prince  of  Peace,  King  of  Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords,  Creator 
of  Heaven  and  earth,  Law-giver  and  LavV-satisfier,  Son  of  God,  and 
Savior  of  sinners!  gi»e  us  more  and  more  of  that  grace  which 
chooses,  effectually  calls,  quickens,  convicts,  pardons,  unites  to 
Christ,  justifies,  sanctifies,  and  takes  to  glory  Thy  beloved  people. 
Let  us  live  to  the  glory  of  God  while  on  earth,  and  in  Heaven  be 
capacitated  to  sing  the  song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb,  forever  and 
ever.     Amen.  Hugh  Quin. 

October  18th,  1826. 


Rainwaters,  Elder  James  appeared  first  in  the  Broad 
River  Association  in  1822,  as  a  lay  delegate  from  Philadel- 
phia church,  at  the  session  of  the  body  held  that  year  at 
Mount  Zion  church.  He  again  appeared  in  the  body  at 
Head  of  First  Broad  River,  in  1824,  and  again  in  1825,  at 
the  session  at  Buifalo,  still  as  a  layman.  He  was  ordained 
to  the  ministry  in  1826,  and  still  represented  Philadelphia  in 
the  different  sessions  until  1837,  preaching  the  introductory 
sermon  at  Zion  in  1836.  We  copy  the  following  from  Elder 
Bennett's  history  in  reference  to  Elder  Rainwaters : 

"James  Rainwaters,  a  pious,  zealous,  and  efficient  minister,  was 
at  this  time  attaining  considerable  notoriety  in  the  Association.     He 

moved  to  the  State  of  Georgia,  about  the  year  1838.     He  is  still  living, 

and  I  suppose  is  seventy-five  years  of  age." 

Elder  Barnett's  work  was  prepared  in  1871,  or  twelve 
years  ago.  So  that  if  Elder  Rainwaters  still  lives,  he  is  now 
about  87  years  of  age,  and  may  be  called  an  octogenarian. 

We  were  acquainted  with  Elder  Rainwaters,  and  have  fre- 
quently heard  him  preach,  and  considered  him  a  very  attrac- 
tive and  good  preacher.  He,  however,  had  a  peculiar  way 
of  preaching  apparently  to  only  a  part  of  his  congregation. 
He  scarcely  ever  changed  the  position  he  first  took  in  the 
pulpit,  until  he  got  through  with  the  discussion  of  his  sub- 
ject. This  peculiarity  very  often  induced  some  of  the  mem- 
bers of  his  congregations  to  express  some  surprise  that  the 
preacher  should  not  honor  them  with  a  part  of  the  discourse. 

Personal  Appearance. — Elder  James  Rainwaters  was 
of  medium  size,  dark  hair,  a  little  tinged  with  red,  sandy 
beard,  a  massive  forehead,  blue  eyes,  and  pleasant  and  affable 
manners;  had  a  quick  and  active  movement,  lively  and  jovial 
in  company,  and  generally  greatly  admired.   . 


Ramsour,  Elder  Philip  is  a  native  of  Lincoln  county, 
N.  C.  Born  about  the  year  1784,  of  German  parentage. 
Married  in  early  life  to  Miss  Sallie  Summey,  with  whom  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  501 

Dived  happily  many  years,  and  reared  a  family  of  several  chil- 
dren. Notwithstanding  he  was  brought  up  in  the  Lutheran 
ipersuasion,  yet,  he  embraced  Baptist  principles,  and  having 
moved  into  the  bounds  Of  the  Broad  River  Association,  he 
joined  the  church  at  Buffalo,  and  at  the  session  of  the  Asso- 
ciation in  1820,  he  was  a  lay  delegate  from  his  church,  and 
again  in  1822.  Ln  1825  he  again  appeared  in  the  Associa- 
tion from  Buffalo,  as  a  delegate  and  licensed  preacher,  and 
■again  in  1826  and  1827.  From  1828  to  1837  he  appears  in 
the  Minutes  of  the  Association  as  an  ordained  minister  and 
-delegate  from  Buffalo  church.  He'  was  probably  ordained 
to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  in  1828.  And  having  lost 
the  companion  of  his  bosom  by  death,  and  finding  it  not 
good  to  be  alone,  he  intermarried  with  Miss  Mary  .Rhodes, 
who  proved  to  be  an  affectionate  help  meet  to  him  in  the 
toils  of  life.  In  1828-'29-'30  and  '31  he  was  elected  clerk 
•of  the  Association.  And  again  in  1834-'35  and  36,  he 
duties  of  which,  it  is  said,  he  discharged  with  much  satisfac- 
tion. At  the  session  of  1832  he  was  appointed  to  prepare  a 
•Circular  Letter,  on  themethod  to  be  pursued  to  keep  the  jjnity  of 
■the  Spirit  in  the  bonds  of  -peace,  which,  out  of  respect  for 
the  memory  of  Elder  Ramsour,  is  here  reproduced  in  this 
work,  which  will  doubtless  be  read  with  interest,  and  we 
hope  with  profit. 

Elder  Ramsour  was  a  pious  and  strictly  temperate  man; 
and  while  remarking  about  his  being  temperate,  it  brings  to 
our  recollection  an  anecdote  we  once  heard  about  one  of  the 
disciples  of  Bacchus,  accosting  him  while  a  good  deal  under 
the  influence  of  the  "critter,"  and  complimenting  him  tor 
the  kindness  he  had  done  him  "in  converting  his  soul." 
"Yes,"  said  Elder  Ramsour,  "this  looks  very  much  like  some 
of  my  work.  If  God  had  converted  you,  and  not  I,  the  pros- 
pect would  have  been  much  better."  He  emigrated  to  Geor- 
gia in  1837,  and  while  laboring  in  the  Lord's  vineyard,  in 
July,  1842,  he  died  in  the  pulpit,  fully  harnessed  in  the  great 
cause  he  had  been  so  long  endeavoring  to  propagate,  and 
which  he  loved  so  dear]}'. 

Elder  Ramsour  was  also  a  physician  on  the  botanic  sys- 
tem of  practice,  and  rendered  much  service  in  nursing  the 
sick. 

CIRCULAR  LETTER.     , 

The  Broad  River  Bai^tist  Association,  to  the  Churches  of  which  she 

is  composed,  sencleth  christian  salutation. 

Beloved  Brethren  : — According  to  appointment  at  our  last  Asso- 
ciation, we  now  address  you  on  "the  method  to  he  pursued  to  keep 
the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace." 

We  consider  the  subject  as  one  of  great  importance  to  the  church 


502  BIOGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

as  a  collective  body,  and  also  to  the  individuals  of  which  the  body 
is  composed,  as  much  of  their  happiness  and  prosperity  depends 
both  in  the  understanding  the  subject  and  acting  out  in  their  lives 
what  is  understood. 

By  unity  we  understand  union,  concord,  agreement,  many  uni- 
ted in  one,  &c.  This  is  applicable  to  the  church,  consisting  of  many 
members,  yet  but  one  body,  of  which  Christ  is  the  head, — in  whom 
the  whole  body,  fitly  joined  together  and  compacted  by  that,  which 
every  joint  supplieth  according  to  the  effectual  working  in  the  meas- 
ure of  every  part,  maketh  increase  of  the  body  unto  the  edifying  of 
itself  in  love,  and,  being  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  their  mind  by  the 
operation  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  are  brought  willingly  to  give  them- 
selves to  the  Lord,  and  unto  one  another  by  the  will  of  God  ;  and  of 
such  it  is  said  :  "I  will  give  them  one  heart  and  one  way  ;  and  i  will 
be  their  God  and  they  shall  be  my  people.  This,  although  called  a 
mystical  union,  is  nevertheless  one  which  is  abundantly  testified  in 
the  Word  of  God,  and  one  which  cannot  be  affected  in  any  part 
without  more  or  less  affecting  the  whole  ;  and  considering  this  union 
under  the  notion  of  the  union  of  a  natural  body,  it  will  be  seen  that 
there  is  not  only  a  necessity  for  the  existence  of  all  the  parts  to  con- 
stitute a  perfect  system — embracing  beauty,  strength  and  symmetry 
of  proportion — but  it  is  also  necessary  that  every  part  should  be  re- 
garded as  important  in  point  of  action,  "for  the  body  is  not  one 
member,  but  many." 

Having  said  a  sufficiency  on  this  glorious  union,  we  shall  in  the 
next  place  say  something  relative  to  its  preservation.  And  first,  as 
this  body  is  composed  of  many  members,  we  would  say  that  every 
member  should  not  only  be  satisfied  with  the  part  they  may  form  of 
tbis  mystical  body,  but  that  every  one  should  "stand  in  their  place 
round  about  the  camp,"  and  be  ready  aud  willing  to  discharge,  as 
with  the  ability  that  God  giveth.  whatever  the  Lord  in  His  Word 
enjoins  on  them,  and  in  order  that  every  one  may  learn  their 
place,  and  the  duties' therewith  connected,  we  should  recommend 
them  to  search  the  Scriptures  with  prayerlul  attention  and  inquiry  : 
'•Lord,  what  wilt  Thou  have  me  to  do?"  and  "what  shall  I  render 
unto  the  Lord  for  all  His  benefits  towards  me?" 

Secondly.  The  method  to  be  pursued  to  keep  the  unity  of  the 
Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace,  consists  in  refraining  from  "walking  in 
the  counsel  of  the  ungodly,  standing  in  the  way  of  sinuers,  and  sit- 
ting in  the  scoruer's  seat,"  and.  in  a  word,  avoiding  every  appear- 
ance of  evil.  We  should  not  only  do  this,  but  also  should  be  both 
ready  and  willing  to  discharge  all  that  the  Lord  Jesus  has  enjoined 
on  His  followers  in  general,  and  also  the  duties  that  may  be  con- 
nected with  our  stations  in  particular,  for  our  happiness  does  not 
consist  in  knowing  only,  but  doing. 

We  will  name  a  few  things.  We  should  put  off  the  old  man 
With  his  deeds,  "for  if  ye  live  after  the  flesh,  ye  shall  die  :  but  if  ye, 
through  the  Spirit,  do  mortify  the  deeds  Of  the  body,  ye  shall  live." 
We  should  walk  in  newness  of  life,  "for  if  we  have  been  planted  to- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  -503 

get  her  in  the  likeness  of  His  death,  we  shall  also  he  in  the  likeness 
of  His  resurrection."  And  as  we  are  beset  and  opposed  by  three 
grand  and  powerful  enemies,  the  world,  ihe  flesh  and  the  devil, 
■who  are  combined  together  to  lead  us  astray,  and  destroy  our  union 
and  peace,  we  should  be  constantly  engaged  in  watchfulness  and 
prayer  to  God  for  His  spirit  and  grace,  to  enable  us  to  withstand 
temptation  and  "walk  worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  we  are 
called  "Walk  in  love  as  children  of  light,  and  have  no  fellowship 
with  the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness,  but  rather  reprove  them,  and 
be  not  drunk  with  wine,  wherein  is  excess ;  but  be  filled  with  the 
•spirit,  speaking  to  yourselves  in  psalms  and  hymns  and  spiritual 
songs,  singing  and  making  melody  in  your  hearts  to  the  Lord." 
And  as  there  are  different  situations  in  life,  such  as  parents  and 
children,  husbands  and  wives,  masters  and  servants,  we  should 
occupy  our  several  stations  in  the  way  that  the  Lord  has  directed 
us  in  His  Word,  that  it  may  redound  to  His  honor  and  glory,  and 
the  peace  and  comfort  of  our  souls. 

We  will  now  speak  of  our  standing  as  members  of  the  church, 
and  our  duties  to  God  and  to  one  another.  There  is  an  invisible 
church  and  a  visible  one  ;  being  born  again  of  the  Spirit  of  God  by 
the  word  (John  iii.  3  ;  1  Pet-  i.  23)  alone  can  constitute  us  members 
of  the  church.  A  profession  of  faith  in  Christ,  with  a  submission 
to  the  ordinance  of  baptism,  will  entitle  us  to  the  privileges  of  the 
church,  and  we  thereby  become  members  of  the  visible  church  ;  but 
this  will  avail  us  nothing  in  the  trying  day,  unless  we  have  in  fact 
experienced  the  work  of  the  Spirit  or  God  upon  our  souls.  And 
here  it  is  necessary  that  we  have  "one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  Baptism," 
to  form  a  lasting  and  happy  union.  But  there  are  many  things 
which  are  calculated  to  cause  divisions  and  destroy  this  union, 
which  should  be  carefully  avoided.  The  church  at  Corinth  was  re- 
proved, and  the  brethren  were  called  carnal,  because  one  said,  "I 
am  of  Paul,  and  another,  I  am  of  Apollos  "  We  believe  similar 
filings  may  and  do  exist  at  this  time,  and  should  be  guarded 
against ;  for  the^  cause  divisions  and  iuterrupt  that  union  and  peace 
which  is  so  desirable.  We  would  esteem  the  ministers  of  Christ  as 
His  servants  and  ours,  for  His  sake,  and  conduct  ourselves  accord- 
ingly ;  but  give  the  giory  to  God,  and  say  send,  by  whom  Thou  wilt 
.send.  It  is  not  uncommon  for  different  sentiments  to  exist,  as  it 
respects  things  pertaining  to  godliness  ;  we  should  labor  for  union 
in  this,  by  reading  God's  Word,  and  form  our  sentiments  by  the 
Word  instead  of  forming  them  without  that  unerring  rule,  or  upon 
a  wrong  understanding  of  it,  and  then  try  to  bend  the  rule  to  fit  our 
opinions.  We  should  attend  strictly  to  the  Word  of  God  and  the 
guidance  of  His  spirit  for  our  faith  and  practice — not  forsaking  the 
assembling  of  ourselves  together,  but  exhort  one  another  to  love  and 
good  works  ;  esteeming  each  other  better  than  ourselves,  confessing 
our  faults  to  one  another,  and  pray  with  and  for  one  another,  and 
avoid  persons  and  things  that  cause  divisions  and  contentions 
among  us;  pursue  a  principle  of  love  to  God  and  to  one  another; 


504  BIOGKAFHICAL  SKETCHES. 

having  two  things  in  view — the  honor  and  glory  of  God,  and  the* 
peace  and  comfort  of  His  people  ;  you  will  then  realize  "how  good, 
and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren,  to  dwell  together  in  unity."  We 
do  not  write  these  things  because  you  do  not  know  them,  but  be- 
cause you  do  know  them  ;  and  to  "stir  up  your  pure  minds  by  put- 
ting you  in  remembrance."  And  if  ye  know  these  things,  happy 
are  ye  if  ye  do  them. 

We  have  had  a  pleasant  meeting.  We  desire  to  thank  God  for 
the  union,  harmony  and  brotherly  love  with  which  the  business  of 
the  Association  has  been  conducted.  We  must  come  to  a  close. 
May  the  God  of  all  grace  bless  you  and  enable  you  to  keep  the  unity 
of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace,  i&  the  prayer  of  yours  in  Gospel 
bonds.  Philip  Eamsour. 

October  18th,  3833. 


Rice,  Elder  Thomas  S.  appears  as  ao  ordained  minister 
and  delegate  from  Wolf's  Creek  church,  to  the  Broad  River 
Association  in  1833,  and  again  in  1835,  from  Cross  Roads 
church.  We  can  trace  him  no  farther  in  the  minutes  at  sub- 
sequent sessions.  We  suppose,  after  serving  as  pastor  of  Cross 
Roads  one  year  he  moved  to  some  other  field  of  labor. 


Richards,  Elder  Joshua  is  reported  to  be  a  native 
North  Carolinian,  and  came  well  recommended  to  Goucher 
Creek  church,  about  the  year  1800,  and  joined  that  church 
by  letter,  and  was  chosen  their  pastor  for  upward  of  twenty 
years.  Elder  Barnett  says:  "he  was  a  very  plain  man  in  his 
manners,  and  a  very  efficient  minister  in  his  day.  I  remem- 
ber that  he  used  to  delight  in  singing  his  favorite  song:  'Lead 
me  to  the  rock  that  is  higher  than  I,'  and  when  he  would 
come  to  that  part  of  the  song,  he  would  throw  up  both  hands 
and  say  with  great  emphasis  :  '■Lead  me  to  the  rock  that  is  high- 
er than  J.'" 

One  of  his  singularities  as  a  man  was,  that  though  he 
possessed  a  considerable  amount  of  property,  and  kept  good 
horses,  yet  he  did  the  most  of  his  traveling  on  foot.  He 
used  to  tell,  in  an  amusing  way,  that  the  horse  he  rode  (allud- 
ing to  his  walking  stick)  never  scared  or  stumbled.  He  said 
he  rode  that  horse  all  the  way  to  Florida  and  back,  and  the 
horse  never  ate  nor  drank  during  the  time,  as  he  knew  of. 
Moreover,  he  was  a  very  faithful  horse  in  another  respect — ■ 
he  would  carry  him  into  any  man's  yard,  and  if  the  dogs 
came  at  him  he  would  commence  kicking,  and  never  stop 
until  every  dog  was  gone. 

Injierson,  Elder  Richards  was  a  very  large  man — not 
corpulent,  but  very  coarse  features,  and  possessing  great 
physical  strength.     I    think  he  lived   to  the   age  of  about 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  5  05 

ninety  years,  and  was  very  useful  all  his  life  as  a  minister, 
excepting  some  few  of  his  last  years,  when  his  extreme  old 
age  had  rendered  him  quite  childish. 

lie  appeared  in  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1815  as 
a  delegate  from  Providence  church,  but  had  represented 
Goucher  Creek  as  far  back  as  1808,  during,  probably.,  all  the 
years  of  his  pastorate  there.  We  knew  old  -'Daddy  Rich- 
ards," as  he  was  familiarly  called,  almost  from  our  child- 
hood, and  we  understood  he  came  among  us  as  a  slave-driver, 
and  settled  near  to  where  Gaffney  City  is  now  situate,  on  the 
Air-Line  Kail  road;  and  after  living  there  upwards  o±  forty 
years  as  a  farmer  and  minister,  he  died  in  1846,  aged  about 
ninety  years.  We  find  the  following  notice  of  his  demise  on 
the  face  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Broad  River  Association,  ses- 
sion of  1846  : 

"Besolved,  That  we  notice  on  our  Minutes  the  death  of  our  be- 
loved brother,  Elder  Joshua  Richards,  who  has  died  in  extreme  old 
age,  since  the  last  session  of  our  Association." 

As  a  preacher,  Elder  Richards  had  a  peculiar  sort  of 
declamation,  partaking  of  the  "sing-song"  style,  with  a  voice 
very  loud  and  harsh,  especially  to  ears  polite  or  refined.  He 
often  called  God  to  witness  his  assertions,  in  his  harsh,  God- 
Almighty  style,  which  seemed  to  the  hearers  as  almost  de- 
famatory, and  really  a  desecration  of  God's  holy  name — 
although  certain lv  not  so  intended.  On  one  occasion,  after 
Elder  Richards  had  preached,  a  Presbyterian  lady  inquired 
of  us  who  that  was  that  used  so  much  profanity  in  the  pul- 
pit. We  assured  her  the  remarks  of  the  speaker  was  not 
intended  to  be  so  considered.  She  replied,  that  might  be  so, 
but  surely  it  had  that  appearance,  and  that  kind  of  preaching 
could  not  be  productive  of  much  good,  in  which  opinion  we 
fully  concurred. 

Elder  Richards'  singing,  if  any  odds,  was  more  objec- 
tionable to  the  ear  than  his  preaching,  having,  as  he  had,  a 
very  harsh  voice,  and  being  entirely  tuneless.  At  the  Asso- 
ciations, or  big  meetings,  he  had  a  habit  of  strolling  about 
through  the  congregations,  and  singing  in  his  peculiar  way, 
his  favorite  "'Lead  me  to  the  rock,"  or  "Jerusalem"  songs; 
much  to  the  amusement  of  the  juvenile  portion  of  the  assem- 
blages. He  would  see  that  his  songs  afforded  great  amuse- 
ment, and  he  would  sometimes  say,  "that  he  enjoyed  his  own 
singing  as  well  as  any  of  them  could  enjo}7  theirs,"  which 
we  have  no  doubt  was  the  case,  notwithstanding,  the  chords 
were  not  very  harmonious. 

As  a  neighbor  and   citizen  he  was  highlv  esteemed  and 
beloved,  and  with  one  consent  all  believed  him  to  be  a  chris- 
tian.    Like  all  other  men  he  had  his  foibles  to  contend  with, 
64 


506  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

and  although  he  had  been  a  dealer  in  slaves  and  had  proba- 
bly amassed  a  fortune  in  the  traffic,  ye't  the  business  under 
the  then  existing  laws  was  strictly  legal,  if  it  was  not  expe- 
dient. The  Scriptures  of  Eternal  Truth  did  not  seem  to 
present  any  insuperable  barrier  to  business  ot  that  kind, 
although  philanthropy  and  fellow-feeling,  under  a  more  cul- 
tivated and  enlightened  age  of  the  world,  seems  now  to  revolt 
at  the  mere  thought  of  such  a  practice.  Elder  Richards' 
works,  like  those  of  all  christians  will,  in  a  coming  day,  be 
tried  by  fire.  "If  any  man's  work  abide  which  he  hath  built 
thereupon,  he  shall  receive  a  reward.  If  any  man's  work 
shall  be  burned,  he  shall  suffer  loss,  but  he  himself  shall  be 
saved,  yet  so  as  by  fire."  How  encouraging  it  is,  humanly 
speaking,  to  be  assured  that  all  our  toils  and  labors  in  a  good 
cause,  will  in  a  coming  day  be  rewarded  !  But  oh !  how 
vain  it  is  to  suppose  that  all  our  toils  and  sufferings'  in  a  bad 
cause  shall  ever  be  rewarded  with  the  blessing  of  God  !  Such 
must  be  burnt  up,  and  we  be  the  sufferers  in  the  day  when 
all  our  works  shall  be  tried.  How  careful  then  ought  we  to 
be  in  giving  proper  direction  to  our  footsteps,  so  as  to  keep 
them  in  the  King's  hio-hwav  of  holiness! 


Rollins,  Elder  George  Washington  is  a  native  of 
Rutherford  county  (now  Cleveland,)]^.  C.,  born  August  7th, 
1828  ;  converted  in  1845.  Made  his  first  appearance  in  the 
Broad  River  Association  at  its  session  at  Buck  Creek  church 
in  1850,  as  a  delegate  and  licentiate,  from  Mount  Pleasant 
church.  Was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel  min- 
istry in  August,  1851,  was  in  the  organization  of  the  King's 
Mountain  Association  JSTov.  7th,  1851,  and  a  delegate  from 
the  same  church.  Preached  the  introductory  sermon  before 
the  body  in  1853 ;  changed  his  membership  to  Pleasant  Hill 
church  and  was  then  chosen  pastor  of  that  church,  also  of 
Boiling  Spring,  Big  Spring  and  Mount  Pleasant ;  preached 
the  introductory  sermon  in  1855,  chosen  pastor  this  year  at 
Wall's  and  Sandy  Run,  and  appointed  to  prepare  the  Circu- 
lar Letter  for  1856,  on  the  subject  of  Repentance,  which  we 
reproduce  in  this  work. 

In  1856  Elder  Rollins  transferred  his  membership  to 
Sandy  Run,  and  at  the  sessions  of  1857-'58  was  chosen  to 
preside  as  Moderator  over  the  deliberations  of  the  Associa- 
tion, and  again  in  1862-'63,  after  preaching  the  introductory 
sermOn  the  latter  year.  Elder  Rollins  has  subsequently  had 
honorable  appointments  conferred  upon  him  by  the  Associ- 
ation, and  this  is  only  mentioned  to  show  the  estimate  the 
brethren  have  made  of  his  valuable   services.     Bro.  Rollins 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  507 

joined  the  church  in  early  life,  and  was  baptized  in  the  17th 
year  of  his  age. 

In  the  year  1851  he  married  Miss  Mlianda  J.  Jenkins, 
who  has  proved  a  loving  and  affectionate  help-meet  to  him 
in  the  journey  of  life.  May  they  live  together  many  more 
years  happily,  while  laboring  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord. 
Elder  Rollins  has  heretofore  been  a  good  pastor  and  faithful 
laborer  in  the  ministration  of  the  Word.  May  he  still  be 
spared  to  render  yet  more  acceptable  services  in  the  cause  of 
the  Master,  and  have  awarded  him  yet  many  more  seals  to 
his  ministry.  He  is  at  present  a  member,  we  believe,  of 
Concord  church,  Rutherford  county,  1ST.  C,  and  the  pastor 
thereof. 

CIRCULAR   LETTER. 

The  King'1  s  Mountain  Baptist  Association — To  the  Churches  in  Union.' 

Dear  Brethren  :  —According  to  last  year's  appointment,  we  ad- 
dress you  this  year  on  the  subject  of  Repentance,  which  is  by  some 
lightly  esteemed,  but  is  nevertheless  of  such  vital  interest  that  it  has 
claimed  the  attention  of  God,  of  angels,  and  of  men,  and  will  be  the 
primary  test  of  our  future  happiuess  in  eternity.  In  entering  upon 
this  vast  subject  we  would  implore  the  Divine  assistance  of  Him 
who  worketh  all  things  after  the  counsel  of  His  own  will. 

We  understand  that  there  are  two  kinds  of  repentance,  and 
they  are  contrary  one  to  the  other.  One  is  true  or  evangelical — the 
other  is  false  and  delusive.  One  is  unto  life — the  other  is  unto  death. 
Evangelical  repentance  consists  in  four  things,  to-wit :  conviction 
for  sin — contrition  for  the  same — confession  of  sin,  and  conversion 
from  sin.  Conviction  leads  its  subjects  to  inquire  for  a  remedy,  as 
did  the  jailer,  when  he  said  sirs.  ''What  shall  I  do  to  be  saved  ?" 
(Acts  xvi.  30,)  and  also  in  the  case  of  Saul  when  he  trembled,  say- 
ing :  "Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  V  (See  Acts  ix.  6.) 

Contrition  causes  them  to  say  like  Job,  "I  abhor  myself  and 
repent,"  and  with  David  when  he  said,  "I  will  declare  my  iniquity, 
I  will  be  sorry  for  my  sins."  (Psalms  xxviii.  IS.) 

This  we  understand  to  be  that  godly  sorrow  which  worketh  re- 
pentance to  salvation— not  to  be  repented  of.  The  confession  of  sin 
causes  them  to  say  as  David  did,  I  acknowledge  my  sin  unto  thee. 
I  will  confess  my  transgression  unto  the  Lord,  and  like  the  prodigal 
sou,  "I  have  sinned  against  Heaven  and  in  thy  sight,  and  am  no 
more  worthy  to  be  called  thy  son."  (See  Luke  xv.  21.)  Wealso  hear 
it  said  that  if  we  confess  our  sins,  God  is  faithful  to  forgive  our  sins. 

Conversion  from  sin  will  enable  them  to  say  with  the  blind  man 
"Wherein  I  was  blind  now  I  see;"  and  with  Paul  when  he  said, 
"the  law  of  the  spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus  hath  made  me  free  from 
the  law  of  sin  and  death"  (Rom.  viii.  2 ;)  and  like  Job  when  he 
said,  "I  know  that  my  Redeemer  lives." 

Repentance  is  the  first  requirement  of  the  Gospel,  and  was  the 
first  thing  proclaimed  by  the  messenger  John,    being  sent    from 


508  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Heaven  more  than  eighteen  hundred  years  ago ;  for  we  learn  that 
he  was  the  voice  of  one  crying  in  the  wilderness  and  saying,  "repent 
ye,  and  believe  the  Gospel"  (Matt.  iii.,j  and  when  they  repented  he 
baptized  them.  It  is  to  be  remembered  that  he  baptized  those  only 
who  brought  forth  fruits  meet  for  repentance,  and  rejected  all  others, 

The  next  messenger  we  read  of  is  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  He 
was  also  from  Heaven.  So  we  find  that  they  were  the  first  two 
messengers  or  preachers  in  the  new  dispensation,  and  they  both 
preached  the  same  thing,  saying  to  the  people  :  '•Repent  ye  and  be- 
lieve the  Gospel,  for  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  is  at  hand," 

This  we  understand  to  be  the  setting  up  of  that  Kingdom  which 
Danhd  speaks  of,  which  is  to  be  an  everlasting  Kingdom.  (See  Dan. 
ii.  44.)  So  we  find  that  this  Kingdom  was  set  up  or  established  by 
those  Heavenly  messengers  just  mentioned.  The  laws  and  regula- 
tions fixed  according  to  the  determinate  counsel  and  foreknowledge 
of  God,  and  after  this  Jesus  called  men  of  like  passion  with  our- 
selves, and  they  preached  that  men  should  repent ;  and  after  His 
resurrection  He  commissioned  them  saying:  "Thus  it  is  written, 
and  thus  it  behooved  Christ  to  suffer,  and  to  rise  from  the' dead  the 
third  day,  and  that  repentance  and  remission  of  sins  should  be 
preached  in  His  name  among  all  nations,  beginning  at  Jerusalem  ;" 
so  we  understand  that  it  is  through  God's  ministers  and  church  that 
the  gift  of  repentance  is  to  be  conveyed  to  the  perishing  nations  of 
the  earth,  and  with  it  the  remission  of  sin,  which  will  secure  their 
eternal  redemption. 

How  careful  then,  should  every  true  minister  be,  to  obey  the 
Divine  injunction  of  his  Master  when  he  says,  "Go  ye,"  &c,  remem- 
bering that  it  is  by  this  means  the  nations  are  to  be  given  to  the  Son 
as  an  inheritance,  and  the  utmost  parts  of  the  earth  for  a  possession. 
Bat  we  fear  there  are  too  many  who  profess  to  be  ministers,  who  are 
saying,  "Let  me  first  accomplish  some  worldly  gain  or  carnal  pleas- 
ure," as  was  said  by  some  anciently,  "Let  me  first  go  and  bury  my 
father  and  bid  them  farewell  at  home."  Such  should  remember 
that  our  Savior  permitted  them  not,  but  said,  "Go  thou  and  preach 
the  Kingdom  of  God." 

Every  minister  of  Christ  then,  should  go  impressed  with  the 
weight  and  worth  of  perishing  souls,  and  say  by  their  words  and 
actions,  with  Paul,  "woe  is  unto  me  if  I  preach  not  the  Gospel," 
and  it  is  not  only  the  duty  of  God's  ministers  to  go  and  preach  repent- 
ance toward  God, and  faith  in  theLord  Jesus  Christ,  but  it  is  the  duty 
of  churches  to  help  them  go.  They  should  help  them  by  their  prayers, 
and  by  their  means  in  every  way  they  possibly  can,  but  instead  of 
this,  many  who  profess  Christianity  oppose  the  spread  of  the  gospel, 
which  is  the  only  means  of  life,  but  we  hope  the  time  is  near  at 
hand  when  every  christian  will  have  learned  the  great  lesson  that 
without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  God,  and  begin  to  make  the 
great  inquiry,  'how  shall  they  hear  without  a  preacher,  and  how 
shall  they  preach  except  they  be  sent." 

When  we  make  this  inquiry  as  we  should  do,  we  are  led  to  con- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  509 

•elude  that  it  is  just  as  necessary  that  messengers  be  sent  to  teach 
ihem  the  plan  of  salvation  now,  as  it  was  for  John  the  Baptist  to  be 
sent  from  Heaven  to  preach  repentance  in  the  wilderness  of  Judea, 
.f>r  in  the  language  of  the  Eunuch,  now  can  they  understand  except 
some  one  teach  them?  And  again,  it  has  pleased  God  by  the  fool- 
ishness of  preaching  to  save  tliem  that  believe.  So  we  find  thai  the 
Gospel  is  the  only  means  of  life  to  a  lost  world  of  sinners,  and  we  do 
believe  that  every  christian  will  say  in  eternity,  "glory  be  to  God," 
for  it  was  by  its  teaching  that  I  was  led  to  repentance,  and  by  its 
power  I  am  saved. 

Let  us  then  as  christians,  shun  every  appearance  of  evil,  and 
endeavor  to  abound  in  every  good  work,  that  those  around  us  may 
'be  constrained  to  glorify  God,  that  we  may  rejoice  together  in  eter- 
nity. 

Repentance  is  incumbent  upon  all,  for  we  hear  it  said  by  Paul : 
"''The  times  of  this  ignorance  God  winked  at,  but  now  commandeth 
all  men  everywhere  to  repent,"  &c.  (Acts  xvii.  20.)  This  teaches  us 
that  all- are  sinners,  and  that  without  repentance  not  one  can  be 
saved  ;  "''for  how  shall  we  escape  if  we  neglect  so  great  salvation  ?" 
And  again,  ''Without  holiness  no  man  can  see  the  Lord,"  in  peace. 

So,  dear  brethren,  we  close  our  short  letter  by  noticing  the  final 
destiny  of  those  who  reject  the  counsel  of  God  against  themselves, 
and  cry  peace!  peace!  when  there  is  no  peace,  as  did  those  who  con- 
tented themselves  with  passing  sentence  against  the  eighteen,  upon 
whom  the  tower  in  Siloarn  fell,  that  they  were  sinners  above  all  oth- 
ers ;  but  our  Savior  said  to  them  :  "I  tell  you  nay,  but  except  ye  re- 
cent ye  shall  all  likewise  perish.''  So  we  find  that  all  sinners  must 
repent,  or  be  inevitably  lost.     We  would  say  with  the  poet  then ; 

"Repent,  the  voice  celestial  cries, 

Nor  longer  dare  delay  ; 
The  wretch  that  scorns  the  mandate  dies, 

And  meets  a  fiery  clay." 

When  God  sent  Jonah  to  preach  totheNinevitesthey  repented  in 
sacs -cloths  and  ashes,  but  when  Jesus  Christ  stretched  out  his  band 
all  the  day  long  and'  says,  repent  and  believe  the  Gospel  that  your 
sins  may  be  blotted  out,  no  man  regards  it,  or  at  least,  but  few,  and 
for  this  reason  tbe  men  of  Nineveh  shall  rise  up  at  the  judgment 
day  with  this  generation,  and  shall  condemn  it,  and  why  all  this? 
Because  they  repented  at  the  preaching  of  Jonah,  a  mere  man,  and 
behold  a  greater  than  Jonah  is  here!  Even  the  Lord  of  life  and 
glory,  and  yet  many  regard  Him  not,  for  we  hear  Him  say;  "If  I 
had  not  come  and  done  among  them  the  works  which  no  other  man 
ever  did,  they  had  not  had  sin,  but  now  they  have  no  cloak  for  their 
sin  ;"  so  they  are  left  without  excuse,  and  it  is  written  in  their  law, 
"they  hated  me  without  cause;"  and  we  find  that  God  "so  loved 
the  world  that  He  gave  His  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  be- 
lieveth  on  Him  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life."  And 
we  learn  that  He  suffered  and  died  to  make  a  propitiation  "for  our 
sins,  and  not  for  ours  only,    but  for  the  sins  of  the  whole   world." 


510  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

And  this  atonement  is  now  offered  to  perishing  sinners  through  the 
medium  of  the  Gospel ;  and  in  this  we  find  that  Jesus  Christ  is  in- 
terceding at  the  right  hand  of  God  for  sinners,  while  His  spirit  is  iru 
the  world  pleading  with  them  to  repent,  saying  :  come,  for  all  things- 
are  now  ready,  and  the  church  is  pleading  by  her  prayers,  and  God's 
ministers  are  lifting  up  their  voices-  like  trumpets  and  saying,  who- 
soever will,  let  him  take  the  water  of  life  freely.  And  angels  in* 
Heaven  are  rejoicing  over  those  that  do  repent ;  for  we  understand 
that  there  is  more  joy  in  the  presence  of  the  angels  of  God  over  one 
sinner  that  repenteth  than  over  ninety  and  nine  just  persons  that 
need  no  repentance.  And  we  learn  that  the  rich  man  in  hell  plead 
for  his  five  brethren,  and  desired  that  Lazarus  be  sent  to  warn  them 
to  repent,  but  the  answer  was  :  they  have  Moses  and  the  prophets; 
if  they  hear  not  them,  they  will  not  be  persuaded  by  any  other 
means,  even  if  one  should  arise  from  the  dead.  Oh  !  that  every  sin- 
ner may  remember  that  this  is  the  accepted  time  and  day  of  salva- 
tion, and  harden  not  their  hearts,  knowing  of  a  truth  that  God  is- 
not  slack  concerning  His  promises,  but  is  long  suffering  toward  us — 
not  willing  that  any  should  perish,  but  that  all  should  come  to  re- 
pentance. 

And   finally,  may  every  christian  in  our  associational  union  be 
led  by  the  great  goodness  of  God  to  repent  of  their  sins  and  serve 

Him  acceptably  with  reverence  and  godly  fear. 

George  W.  Roleins. 
October  27th,  1856. 


Rollins,  Elder  Berry  E.  is  a  native  of  Rutherford 
(now  Cleveland)  county,  jS".  C,  born  about  the  year  1828. 
Joined  the  church  in  early  life  at  Buffalo,  and  appeared  first 
in  the  Broad  River  Association  in  the  session  of  1850  at 
Buck  Creek  church.  He  was  a  delegate  the  next  year,  at- 
tending both  sessions  as  a  licentiate.  He  soon  afterwards 
connected  himself  with  the  Green  River  Association,  and 
was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  He 
then  put  in  his  letter  of  dismission  from  Buffalo  with  the 
Head  of  First  Broad,  and  remained  with  that  church  till  he 
died  We  copy  the  notice  of  the  Green  River  Asssoeation 
in  reference  to  his  demise,  as  follows : 

"Elder  B.  E.  Rollins. — Your  committee  not  having  time  and 
opportunity  to  get  up  the  facts  fully,  and  get  their  report  into  the 
Minutes,  have  been  unable  to  ascertain  the  time  of  Rro.  Rollins' 
birth,  or  the  time  of  his  becoming  a  member  of  the  church.  We 
find  that  in  1851  he  was  pastor  of  Big  Spring  church,  which  we  sup- 
pose was  about  the  beginning  of  his  ministry,  and  he  continued  in 
the  pastoral  service  of  different  churches  until  1874,  when,  from  de- 
clining health,  he  gave  up  ministerial  work,  except  preaching  occa- 
sionally, until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1879. 

"During  the  28  years  of  his  ministry  he  preached  forthe  churches 
at  Ebenezer,  Big  Spring,  Head  1st  Broad,  Wall's,  Cane  Creek,  Camp 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  511 

Creek,  Mount  Vernon,  Round  Hill,  Mt.  Lebanon,  ^Bill's  Creek,  Dy- 
sartville  and  Rock  Spring.  His  manner  of  preaching  was  earnest 
and  impressive.  Many  religious  revivals  occurred  under  his  minis- 
trations, aud  the  churches  were  generally  in  peace.  He  was  a  fast 
friend  of  temperance,  and  of  missions  both  State  and  Foreign,  and 
•of  ministerial  education.  Though  he  was  denied  the  advantages  of 
early  and  thorough  education — only  enjoying  that  education  which 
-constant  thought  and  earnest  wore  would  give  him — he  was  ever 
ready  to  help  young  men  entering  the  ministry  to  acquire  early  train- 
ing. In  his  last  years  he  was  a  great  sufferer  and  a  remarkably 
patient  man— seeming  to  look  for  death  as  a  messenger  of  rest  to 
Lim,  rather  than  as  a  dread  monster." 


Ruppe,  Elder  John  is  a  native  of  Cleveland  county,  !N". 
C,  and_a  member  of  Mount  Pleasant  church.  Born  April 
11th,  1823,  and  reared  a  farmer,  and  like  many  others  of 
that  class,  he  has  had  to  contend  with  the  adversities  and 
misfortunes  of  poverty.  Hia  opportunities,  therefore,  in 
early  life  of  acquiring  an  education  has  been  very  limited.  Ou 
the  14th  of  March,  1849,  he  "married  Miss  Anna  McCraw  of 
Cleveland  county,  N.  C,  who  proved  to  be  a  very  worthy 
and  affectionate  help  meet  to  him,  while  engaged  in  the  toils 
of  life.  Having  embraced  religion  several  vears  ago,  and 
witnessing  the  rapid  strides  of  the  great  Adversary  to  accom- 
plish the  ruin  of  the  Adamic  family,  he,  therefore,  felt  the 
force  of  the  oft  reoeated  remark,  "there  is  a  work  for  all  to 
do,"  and  he  resolved  that  he  would  no  longer  act  as  a  "dead 
head"  while  traveling  on  the  car  of  Zion.  He  made  known 
his  determinations  to  the  church,  and  was  at  the  September 
meeting  in  1873,  licensed  by  the  Mount  Pleasant  church  to 
preach  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  He  continued  in  the  work  as 
faithfully  as  his  circumstances  in  life  would  permit,  in  revi- 
vals, protracted  meetings,  etc.,  until  May  6th,  1881,  at  the 
instance  of  his  church,  a  presbytery  was  convened  consisting 
of  Elders  J.  M.  Bridges,  A.  C.  Ir^in,  A.  A.  McSwain  and 
J.  J.  Jones,  which  after  examination  of  Bro.  Ruppe,  pro- 
ceeded to  ordain  him  by  the  imposition  of  hands  to  the  full 
work  of  the  Gospel  ministry. 

Elder  Ruppe,  although  defective  in  education,  voice, 
some  other  requisites  that  make  an  eloquent  preacher,  is, 
notwithstanding,  a  pious  and  devoted  christian,  whose  godly 
walk  and  conversation  will  be  to  many  of  the  human  family, 
we  hope,  a  savor  of  life  unto  life  and  not  of  death  unto  death. 
May  he,  as  an  eleventh-hour  laborer  in  the  vineyard  of  the 
Lord,  so  demean  himself  as  to  be  entitled  to  a   laborers  full 


wages 


512  BIOGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Scruggs,  Elder  Drury  is  a  native  of  Spartanburg  corrr?- 
ty,  S.  C,  born  about  the  year  1806.  Converted  in  early  life,, 
and  joined  the  church  at  State  Line.  He  appeared  as  a  lay 
delegate  in  the  sessions  of  the  Broad  River  Association  at  Ce- 
dar Springs  church  in  1830,  and  then  again  at  other  sessions  \m 
1831  and  '32.  He  was  licensed  the  latter  year  to  preach  the  Gos- 
pel, and  in  1833  he  was  ordained  by  a  presbytery  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry.  He  became  a  popular  minister  in  the- 
Broad  River  Association,  and  in  1842  was  elected  clerk,  and 
in  1845-'46-'47-'48>-'49  and  '51  was  chosen  to  preside  over 
the  deliberations  of  the  Association  as  moderator,  and  again 
in  1854-'55  and  '57.  Besides  being  appointed  at  various- 
times  to  preach  the  introductory  sermons,  and  to  prepare  the 
annual  circular  letters  addressed  to  the  churches  in  union. 
But  ah!  at  the  session  of  1863,  we  find  the  following  item; 
on  the  face  of  the  minutes; 

"The  committee  of  three  to  nominate  brethren  to  aid  the  State 
Line  church  in  her  difficulty,  report  the  following  named  brethren  z 
E.  A.  Crawley,  M.  C.  Barnett,  J.  H.  Ezell,  W.  Hill,  B.  B.  Foster, 
H.  G.  Gaffney,  J.  G.  Kindrick,  T.  B.  Justice,  E.  Lipscomb,  W, 
Austell,  James  Ezell  and  E.  Barnett.  What  is  the  matter — requir- 
ing such  an  array  of  names  of  the  ablest  and  best  brethren  in  the 
Association  ?  It  is  because  the  State  Line  church  has  charged  Elder 
Scruggs  with  the  'immorality  of  lewdness,'  and  through  the  agency 
of  a  Council  have  deposed  him  from  the  ministry, — while  the  said 
Scruggs  refuses  to  acquiesce  in  the  decision  made  against  him,  and 
has  surreptitiously  obtaiued  from  a  faction  of  the  State  Line  church 
a  paper  writing,  professing  to  be  a  bona  fide  letter  of  dismission  in 
full  fellowship,  when  indeed  it  is  not  such  a  letter,  and  by  no  means, 
legally  obtained  according  to  the  rules  and  usages  of  the  Baptist  de- 
nomination. (For  a  more  full  account  of  this  difficulty,  see  the  jour- 
nalistic part  of  this  work,  Chap.  2,Session  of  1864  ) 

Suffice  it  to  say  for  the  present  that  Elder  Scruggs,  hav- 
ing lost  the  confidence  of  his  former  friends  and  brethren, 
was  looked  upon  as  an  evil  doer,  and  advertized  as  such  ifi 
the  Minutes  of  the  associate  bodies,  whereupon  he  emigrated 
without  the  limits  of  the  Association  with  a  spurious  letter 
of  dismission  in  his  pocket,  and,  as  we  are  informed,  is  en- 
gaged in  his  ministerial  calling  in  the  West.  If  he  has  been 
unjustly  treated,  then  he  is  not  so  much  to  blame,  but  if  oth- 
erwise, he  is  certainly  guilty  of  a  great  impropriety.  "To 
his  own  Master  he  standeth  or  talleth." 

Drury  Scruggs  for  many  years  was  a  highly  esteemed 
citizen  as  well  as  minister  of  the  Gospel,  and  had  at  different 
times  been  favored  at  the  ballot-box  with  the  suffrages  of  the 
people,  and  we  are  not  aware  of  his  ever  abusing  the  confi- 
dence of  those   who  thus  favored  him.     He  was  respectably 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  513 

connected,  and  has  an  interesting  family  to  suffer  from  these 
aspersions.  We  are  sorry  for  it,  and  would  certainly  rejoice 
to  see  them  relieved  of  the  consequences  of  such  improprie- 
ties ;  but  "it  must  needs  be  that  offences  come,  but  woe  unto 
that  man  by  whom  they  come  !"  "Every  tub  must  stand 
upon  its  own  bottom."  No  one  is  to  be  held  responsible  for 
the  misdeeds  of  another. 

"Honor  and  shame  from  no  condition  rise. 
Act  well  your  part — there  the  honor  lies." 
I 

Shadwkjk,  Elder  Lazarus  was  for  a  time  a  minister  of 
the  Broad  River  Association.  His  membership  being  with 
the  Head  of  Tyger  River  church  in  1882,  he  was  chosen  a 
delegate  to  the  Association  that  vear,  and  attended  the  ses- 
sion  at  Sandy  Run.  In  the  session  of  1833  that  church  was 
dismissed  from  the  Broad  River  body*!  to  aid  in  the  forma- 
tion of  the  Tyger  River  Association,  when  Elder  Shadvvick 
was  thereby  isolated  from  the  Broad  River,  and  we  are  una- 
ble to  obtain  information  as  to  his  whereabouts  since.  Of 
his  history  we  know  nothing  previous  to  1832. 


Stough,  Elder  A.  L.  moved  into  the  bounds  of  the 
King's  Mountain  Association  from  the  York  Association, 
and  appeared  first  as  a  delegate  from  the  Shelby  church  in 
1877  to  the  session  of  the  King's  Mountain  bodv  at  Pleasant 
Hill  church.  Having  been  chosen  pastor  of  the  Shelby 
church,  he  has  become  identified  with  the  King's  Mountain, 
and  at  the  session  of  1879  waschoseu  Moderator  of  the  body. 
Elder  Stough,  besides  being  an  able  minister,  is  a  scientific 
agriculturist,  and  Master  of  a  Grange,  the  object  of  which 
is  to  promote  good  farming. 

He  "was  born  in  Germany  in  1827  ;  was  educated  for  the 
Catholic  priesthood,  was  baptized  in  Norfolk,  Va.,  in  1847, 
read  theology  for  two  years  with  Dr.  George  W.  Purefoy, 
and  began  to  preach  ;  is  a  successful  pastor,  has  been  for  a 
time  in  charge  of  the  Shelby  church,  and  Moderator  of  the 
King's  Mountain  Association." — Baptist  Encyclopedia. 

Elder  Stough,  like  quite  a  number  of  other  ministers  of 
the  Gospel,  sets  a  bad  example  before  mankind — not  in 
(piaffing  the  contents  of  the  wine  cup,  of  course,  but  in 
drawing  and  letting  off"  the  fumes  of  tobacco  smoke.  It  is 
said  by  a  distinguished  and  accurate  writer  that  the  con- 
sumption of  the  weed  in  Great  Britain  annually  amounts  in 
value  to  forty  millions  of  dollars,  and  in  the  United  States 
to  over  thirty-five  millions.  In  the  city  of  iSTew  York  alone 
over  ten  millions  of  dollars  are  puffed  away  in  smoke,  daily, 
65 


514  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

or  three  millions  six  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars 
every  year.  Yet  this  sinks  quite  into  insignificance  com- 
pared with  the  consumption  of  some  European  cities.  In 
the  city  of  Hamburg,  probably  not  over  one-sixth  "the  size 
of  New  York,  more  than  a  million  ot  dollars  every  year  dis- 
solves in  smoke. 

The  entire  tobacco  crop  of  the  world  is  put  down  at 
four  thousand  four  hundred  and  eighty  millions  of  pounds, 
of  which  the  United  States  produce  probably  two  hundred 
millions.  Merely  the  cigars  consumed  yearly  in  the  United 
States  cost  more  than  all  our  common  schools;  and  more, 
some  say — possibly  it  is  an  exaggeration — than  all  our  bread- 
stutfs.  When  we  add  to  this  all  the  other  items  of  this  most 
useless  and  inexcusable  of  all  expenditures,  the  labor  of  a 
million  and  a  half  of  men  who  are  employed  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  tobacco,  or  in  its  preparation  for  use,  and  also  the 
immense  quantities  of  fertile  land  used  for  the  cultivation, 
we  are  able  to  appreciate  in  some  degree  the  value — at  least 
the  cost — of  a  single  useless,  nauseous,  hurtful,  and  there- 
fore .sinful  habit.  Should  not  ministers  of  the  Gospel  there- 
fore (who  ought  to  have  more  influence  than  other  men,) 
instead  of  setting  a  bad  example  before  the  rising  genera- 
tion— or  young  men  of  thte  country  so  easily  misled — rather 
preach,  yea  preach  by  example,  too,  against  so  great  a  folly. 
At  this  period  of  the  world,  when  the  churches  are  endeav- 
oring to  make  ao-oressive  movements  against  the  kirrerdorh 
of  Satan,  and  calling  so  frequently  on  the  people  for  means 
to  accomplish  the  ends  in  view,  what  a  blessed  thing  it 
would  be  if  they  could  be  relieved  of  this  worthless  and 
filthy  tobacco  drain  that  absorbs  so  much  of  their  hard  earn- 
ings !  They  could  then  afford  to  contribute  so  much  more 
to  the  objects  of  philanthropy  and  Christianity. 

If  the  vast  sum  of  money  which  is  worse  than  wasted 
for  tobacco  was  carefully  deposited  in  the  different  mission- 
ary boxes,  and  then  proper!}-  utilized  by  those  who  handle 
it,  the  whole  world  probably  in  a  few  years  would  (if  money 
could  accomplish  it)  begin  to  show  unmistakable  signs  of 
evangelization,  and  the  long  anticipated  Millenium  would 
no  longer  be  a  mooted  question  as  to  its  coming. 

We  think  it  the  duty  of  the  ministers  of  Christ  to  attack 
and  preach  against  the  practice  of  using  tobacco  just  the 
same  as  against  ardent  spirits  as  a  beverage.  The  minister 
claims  to  be  a  mouth  for  God,  or  a  gospel  trumpet,  which 
we  admit,  but  we  claim  that  the  month  or  that  trumpet 
should  not  be  fouled  with  the  filthy  juice  or  fumes  of  to- 
bacco. 

Elder  Stough  is  an  able  minister,  and  "the  greater  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  515 

man  the  greater  the  precedent."'  Let  Elder  Stough  there- 
fore take  the  lead  hi  a  well  directed  crusade  against  the  use 
of  the  "sweet-scented  poisonous  plant  of  Virginia." 


Styers,  Elder  John  Pressley  is  a  native  of  Davidson 
county,  N.  C,  born  June  21st,  1847;  moved  into  the  bounds 
of  the  King's  Mountain  Association  from  Rocky  River  As- 
sociation in  1877.  Joined  the  chureh  at' New  Prospect,  and 
was  chosen  one  of  the  delegates  to  represent  said  church  iu 
the  Association  at  its  session  of  1878.  He  was  again  a  dele- 
gate from  New  Prospect  in  1879.  in  1880,  Pleasant  Grove 
church  was  constituted,  Elder  iStyers  beeoming  a  constitu- 
ent member  thereof,  since  which  he  has  been  chosen  one  of 
its  annual  representatives.  He  is  also  pastor  of  said  church, 
and  seems  to  be  instrumental  in  the  hand  of  God  iu  building 
it  up  into  a  strong  body,  now  numbering  nearly  200  mem- 
bers. He  was  ordained  in  1873  by  Elders  W.  A.  Pool  and 
A.  P.  Stoker,  at  Trading  Ford  church,  Rowan  county,  N.  C. 

Elder  Styers,  like  a  great  many  Baptist  ministers,  is 
laboring  under  great  disadvantages,  by  reason  of  a  lack  of 
earh7  scholastic  training,  but  he  is  a  close  Biblical  student, 
and  gifted  with  a  goodg  utterance,  and  has  sound  orthodox 
doctrinal  views.  Why  then  may  he  not  be  very  useful  in 
the  highways  and  hedges,  while  the  more  learned  and  re- 
fined are  engaged  iu  the  towns  and  cities  ?  There  is  work 
for  all  to  do,  and  it  is  often  the  case  that  an  "illiterate  fish- 
erman's" simple  words  delivered  in  an  impressive,  loving, 
and  tender  manner  will  accomplish  much  more  real  good 
than  high-flown  language,  which  sometimes  may  be  greatly 
lacking,  too,  in  holy  unction  and  pathos,  and  only  calculated 
to  tickle  the  ear  of  fancy,  while  the  heart  escapes  untouched 
and  is  still  left  in  its  callous  and  flinty  state.  Education, 
however,,  is  certainly  a  great  blessing,  when  not  abused. 
We  might  say  with  propriety  that  next  to  regenerating  grace 
it  is  the  greatest  blessing  of  all  others.  But  let  all  of  its 
recipients  be  on  their  guard,  lest  they  should  become  vain 
and  puffed  up  in  their  minds,  and  despise  too  much  the  day 
of  small  things. 

We  will  return  again  to  Elder  Styers  to  remark  that 
he  is  an  indefatigable  preacher  and  worker,  whether  it  be 
iu  the  pastoral  pulpit,  Sunday-school,  or  in  missionary  labors. 
May  he  be  rewarded  with  many  seals  !    ' 


Suttle,  Elder  Joseph  was  a  native  of  Rutherford  coun- 
ty, N.  C,  born  April  25th,  1827  ;  was  converted  in  early 
life,   and  baptized   by  Elder  James   M.  Webb   in  the  year 


516  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

1846,  into  the  fellowship  of  the  church  at  Concord.  Soon 
after  his  baptism  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  and  about  the 
year  1849  he  had  the  sood  fortune  to  marrv  Miss  E.  E. 
.Blanton  who,  in  all  respects,  was  .worthy  of  him,  and  con- 
tributed greatly  to  make  his  life  happy  and  agreeable.  *He 
then  transferred  his  membership  from  Concord  to  Zion,  and 
was  chosen  a  delegate  to  represent  the  church  in  the  session 
of  the  Association  of  that  year,  held  at  Cedar  Springs.  He 
again,  after  his  ordination,  February  2nd,  1850,  represented 
Ziou  in  the  Association,  and  in  1851  he  became  a  member 
'and  pastor  of  the  church  at  Double  Springs,  which  church 
was  dismissed  with  fourteen  others  the  same  year  to  form 
the  King's  Mountain  Association. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  new  body  he  has  remained 
with  the  Double  Springs  church  as  pastor,  and  has  at 
various  times  had  the  pastoral  care  of  .  several  other 
churches,  besides  doing  a  large  amount  of  missionary  work, 
a  large  portion  of  which  has  been  dispensed  within  the 
bounds  of  the  old  parent  body. 

Elder  Suttle  was  a  man  of  strong  impulses,  and  nerve r 
doubted  or  hesitated  about  undertaking  to  carry  out  any 
scheme  that  he  considered  right  and  just.  He  had  an  abiding 
confidence  in  the  Master's  power  arid  willingness  to  bless 
the  efforts  of  His  creatures  to  evangelize  the  world.  What 
he  found  to  do,  and  thought  it  right  and  proper  to  do  it,  he 
went  at  it  with  all  his  might. 

His  educational  advantages  had  been  very  poor,  but  he 
had  a  good  native  intellect,  susceptible  of  receiving  and  im- 
parting to  others  impressions  calculated  to  make  the  heart 
better,  and  right  faithfully  did  he  exhort  mankind  to  be  re- 
conciled to  God  while  time  and  opportunity  was  afforded. 

At  the  session  of  1854  he  was  appointed  to  prepare  a 
Circular  Letter  on  the  subject  of  Missions,  which  we  repro- 
duce in  this  work,  out  of  respect  for  Elder  Suttle,  and  the 
exalted  character  of  his  views  upon  that  important  subject: 

CIRCULAR  LETTER. 

The  King's  Mountain  Baptist  Association,  to  the  Churches  in  Union- 
Greeting  : 

Dear  Brethren  : — According  to  an  appointment  of  last  Associa- 
tion, we  address  you  upon  the  subject  of  Missions. 

In  entering  upomtbe  discussion  of  this  subject,  we  would  im- 
plore the  assistance  and  direction  of  that  Spirit  which  guides  in  the 
way  of  all  truth.  The  subject  of  Missions  is  one  of  vast  importance 
and  vital  interest.  It  would  fill  an  angel's  hand  or  a  Saviors  heart. 
This  subject  ought  to  interest  every  christian,  for  by  this  means,  the 
nations  of  the  earth  are  to  be  given  to  the  Son  as  an  inheritance,  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  '      517 

tthe  utmost  parts  of  the  earth  for  a  possession.  Therefore  let  us  love 
■and  esteem  it,  and  especially  because  our  suffering  Savior  was  him- 
self a  missionary,  and  says,  this  is  the  way,  walk  ye  in  it. 

Christ  was  the  embodiment  and  living  illustration  of  divine 
goodness  The  whole  history  of  His  earthly  career  may  be  compre- 
hended in  a  single  sentence.  "He  went  about  doing  good."  For 
this,  He  came  into  the  world.  For  this,  He  lived,  suffered  and  at 
last  died  on  the  cross.  He  brought  all  the  resources  of  His  God- 
•iiead  and  the  office  of  his  Sonship  to  carry  on  the  great  work  of 
•doing  good.  He  became  poor  that  we,  through  His  poverty,  might 
become  rich.  He  took  of  the  things  of  the  Father  and  showed  them 
-unto  us.  He  cared  not  for  comfort,  human  rank  nor  honor.  He 
strove  not  for  a  crown  nor  a  kingdom  of  this  world. 

His  ambition'  ( if  we  may  so  speak)  was  only  to  do  good.  To  ac- 
complish His  mission  He  took  a  place  among  the  most  huhible,  and 
carefully  ministered  to  the  wants  of  all.  Every  page  of  His  eventful 
history  is  refulgent  with  naercj.  Every  line  is  an  emblem  of  benev- 
olence, Go  with  us  to  the  garden,  dear  brethren,  behold  the  Savior 
in  the  stillness  of  the  night  giving  vent  to  the  agonizing  emotions  of 
His  soul !  He  is  bowed  to  the  ground,  and  as  the  load  of  excruciat- 
ing agony  weighs  upon  him,  O  !  what  grief  and  sorrow  !  See  the 
bloody  sweat  falling  to  the  ground.  Why  all  this?  For  the  good 
of  man.  Behold  Him  in  the  judgment  hall,  suffering  abuse  and  in- 
sulted !  See  Him  bending  under  the  cross  as  He  moves  on  towards 
■calvary.  He  is  there  nailed  to  the  wood  !  Thus  He  bleeds  and  dies! 
"Why  all  this  intense  suffering  ?  To  do  good  unto  men.  Yes,  says 
the  opposer  of  missions,  that  is  the  kind  of  a  missionary  we  want, 
that  will  do  all  the  good  he  can  and  have  nothing  for  it. 

But  this  character  should  remember  that,  although  the  Savior 
was  abie  to  multiply  the  few  loaves  and  fishes  to  feed  a  host  in  the 
wilderness,  and  could  fast  forty  days  and  forty  nights,  yet  He  made 
at  the  duty  of  the  people  to  minister  unto  Him,  and  they  did  so. 
"And  Joana  and  Susanna  and  many  others  ministered  unto  Him  of 
their  substance."  (Luke  viii:  3.)  Just  so  He  would  have  His  people 
act  towards  His  ministers,  in  this  and  every  other  age  of  the  world. 
Although  He  could  feed  them  with  manna  from  heaven  or  command 
the  ravens  to  feed  them,  as  they  did  Elijah,  yet  He  says  His  minis- 
ters shall  not  go  a  warfare  at  his  own  expense,  but  they  that  preach 
the  Gospel,  shall  live  of  the  Gospel. 

Notwithstanding  the  Savior  was  a  great  blessing  to  the  world, 
while  He  was  upon  earth,  yet  He  says,  it  is  needful  for  the  world, 
"that  I  go  away."  So  in  the  absence  of  the  Savior,  the  great  work 
of  diffusing  abroad  the  light  of  eternal  truth,  was  committed  to  the 
church.  This  church  is  that  kingdom,  that  shall  break  in  pieces  all 
other  kingdoms  of  the  earth,  and  shall  stand  forever  as  a  monument 
to  the  glory  of  its  author.  This  glorious  kingdom  is  the  light  of  the 
world;  it  is  the  instrumentality,  by  means  of  which,  the  world  is 
to  be  regenerated  and  saved.  This  heavenly  kingdom  of  holiness 
and  love,  is  the  church  of  the  living  God,  the  pillar  and  ground  of 


518  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

the  truth.  To  this  church  has  been  committed  a  sacred  treasure1- 
It  is  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  This  truth  has  been  committed  to  the- 
church,  and  it  is  able  to  save  the  soul,  being  the  eternal  truth  of 
God,  and  it  is  the  duty  of  the  church  to  sustain,,  preserve  and  pro- 
mulgate it  in  the  world.  How  energetic  then  ought  the  church  to 
be  in  the  cause  of  missions!  Founded,  herself,  on  the  rock,  of  eternal 
ages,  she  is  destined  to  be  the  means  of  upholding  the  truth  in  the- 
world.  She  has  received,  that  she  may  impart  it  to  others.  Her 
mission  is  a  mission  of  mercy  to  the  lost  sons  and  daughters  of  men. 

But,  we  regret  to  say,  that  she  does  not  exert  that  inflence  and 
power  to  save  a  sinking  world,  that  she  ought.  There  are  several 
things  that  clog  the  wheels  of  Zion,  and  weaken  her  power,  which 
tend  to  retard  her  progress  in  the  conversion  of  the  world,  one  of 
which  we  shall  notice :  Division  of  Sentiment.  This  is  one  great 
obstacle  to  the  onward  march  of  Zion,  especially  in  regard  to  the 
nature  of  her  mission.  While  some  are  trying  to  push  on  the  car  of 
salvation  they  meet  with  a  great  deal  of  opposition,  even  from  their 
brethren,  by  reason  of  conflicting  views  ;  owing  to  this  cause  she  has- 
lost  that  simplicity,  peace  and  unity  which  her  dying  Savior  prayed 
might  be  hers  forever  ;  and  while  the  world  He  came  to  save  is  going, 
down  to  death,  she  is  wasting  her  time  and  strength  in  mutual 
broils  and  controversies  about  the  nature  of  her  mission,  which  she 
ought  long  ago  to  have  known.  And  what  is  the  cause  of  all  this 
division  of  sentiment  with  its  ruinous  train  of  consequences?  The 
history  of  the  past  eighteen  hundred  years  attests  the  truth  that  it 
is,  in  consequence  of  partiality,  prejudice,  education  or  tradition  ; 
for  the  first  breathings  of  a  newly-converted  soul  is,  that  God's  king- 
dom might  come,  and  over  all  prevail,  which  would  continue  to  be 
the  case,  if  the  judgment  was  not  warped  by  some  of  the  things- 
above  mentioned. 

Oh  !  would  she  but  emerge  from  under  the  clouds  of  ignorance 
in  which  she  is  involved,  and  shake  herself  from  every  clog,  and  ex- 
ecute her  mission  more  fully  !  How  mighty  would  be  her  energies 
in  the  subjugation  of  the  world,  and  how  like  the  voice  of  God 
would  her  voice  be  sounded  through  the  abodes  of  unbelief  and  sin  I 
But  instead  of  this  many,  it  seems,  would  lock  the  wheels  of  salva- 
tion, and  impede  the  progress  of  the  angel  that  fiies  in  the  midst  of 
heaven,  having  the  everlasting  Gospel  to  preach  unto  men  ;  and  in- 
stead of  converting  the  world  to  God,  we  fear  they  have  become 
themselves  partially  converted  to  the  world.  O!  would  the  church 
but  arise  above  the  dim  and  murky  atmosphere  of  earth  and  lay 
hold  with  a  deathless  grasp  upon  the  immutable  promises  of  God  ! 
whajfc  a  revolution  would  be  wrought  in  her  feelings  and  views!  and 
how  bright  would  be  that  light  which  she  woidd  scatter  throughout 
the  world !  for  the  church  is  destined  to  be  the  great  fountain  of 
light  to  a  guilty  world— the  reservoir  from  which  is  to  flow  forth  the 
streams  of  salvation  to  a  perishing  world  ! 

Her  mission  will  not  be  accomplished  until  every  nation  on  earth 
shall  acknowledge  the  Lord  and  be  made  the  recipients  of  that  truth 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  519 

which  she  was  commissioned  to  preach, — not  until  the  heathen  shall 
\>e  given  to  the  Son  as  an  inheritance,  and  the  utmost  parts  of  the 
-earth  for  a  possession. 

The  church  is  said  to  look  forth  as  the  morning  sun  that  illumi- 
nates the  earth,  rises  higher  and  higher,  scattering  the  shades  of 
aiight  and  lighting  up  this  dark  earth  until  every  valley  and  remote 
corner  of  the  earth  are  illuminated  and  warmed  by  its  rays  ;  so  the 
•candle  of  the  church  was  lit  up  more  than  eighteen  hundred  years 
•ago,  and  has  been  looking  forth  from  that  time  down  to  the  present. 
Though  for  eighteen  centuries  she  has  been  baffeted  by  the  waves  of 
persecution  and  ly  false  brethren,  and  though  the  lightnings  have 
played  around  her,  and  clouds  and  darkness  have  involved  her,  yet 
Jier  course  is  onward — still  she  glides  along,  spreading  wider  and 
wider  the  light  of  eternal  Truth— being  guided  by  the  light  of  the 
past  and  the  infallible  Word  of  God  ;  but  let  us  look  down  through 
the  vista  of  the  future,  that  we  may  learn  the  future  triumphs  of 
the  church  :  here  a  glorious  prospect  lies  before  us.  The  effects  she 
lias  already  wrought  are  but  the  presage  of  her  future  triumphs  ; 
yet  she  can  not  triumph  without  a  conflict.  Then  let  every  christian 
say,  let  the  conflict  come — we  will  not  remain  idle  spectators  of  the 
»scene;  we  will  enter  the  field  of  battle  under  the  blood-stained  ban- 
ner of  the  cross  ;  we  will  raise  the  Son  of  righteousness  higher  and 
higher  until  every  valley  and  dark  corner  of  the  earth  is  lit  up  by 
His  rays,  and  His  glory  shall  cover  the  earth  as  the  waters  cover  the 
basin  of  the  great  deep. 

Then,  dear  brethren,  we  should  look  abroad  and  see  that  dark- 
ness yet  covers  the  earth,  and  gross  darkness  the  people.  Look  over 
the  briny  deep,  and  there  behold  mothers  sacrificing  their  children, 
to  appease  the  wrath  of  their  deities,  made  with  their  own  hands  ! 
and  where  is  the  christian  that  is  not  willing  to  lend  a  helping  hand 
to  rescue  innocent  babes  from  being  crushed  before  the  wheels  of  the 
great  car  of  juggernaut  ?  That  christian  ought  not  to  be  found  on 
the  face  of  the  earth. 

We  remember  once  asking  an  anti-missionary  if  one  of  his  eh.il- 
*  dren  was  carried  to  a  heathen  land  and  left  in  that  dark  and  benight- 
ed country,  if  he  would  be  willing  that  some  missionary  should  be 
sent  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  that  child,  and  the  only  answer  he  gave 
us  was,  "that  alters  the  case."  Now,  we  awfully  fear  this  is  the 
case  with  too  many  ;  because  the  heathen  are  not  their  children,  ac- 
cording to  the  flesh,  they  are  concerned  but  little  about  them.  How 
much  more  praiseworthy  and  christian-like  the  conduct  of  a  noble- 
hearted  lady  in  one  of  the  great  cities  of  this  Union,  when  she  dis- 
covered a  frightened  horse  running  away  with  a  vehicle,  and  a  little 
child  therein,  she  became  so  distressed  as  to  immediately  run  out 
iuto  the  street  and  cry  aloud  for  some  efforts  to  be  made  to  save  the 
child  !  her  daughter  at  the  same  time  rebuking  her  and  telling  her 
that  "it  was  not  her  child!"  "I  know  it,"  she  replied,  ''but  it  is 
some  one's  child."  Let  us  rather  act  the  part  of  this  good,  tender- 
hearted lady,  and  let  us  also  act  the  good  Samaritan  -not  pass  by 


5zd  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

our  fellow-creatures  in  distress  or  in  a  perishing  condition  and  have- 
no  compassion  on  them.  Let  us  also  act  the  part  of  the  little  maid 
that  was  taken  captive  by  the  Assyrians  out  of  the  land  of  Israel,, 
who  waited  on  Naaman's  wife,  who  said :  would  to  God  that  my 
Master  was  with  the  prophet  in  Samaria,  for  he  would  recover  hint 
of  his  leprosy. 

We  should  not  only  be  missionaries  in  word,  but  indeed  and  in> 
truth,  for  when  it  was  necessary  that  the  house  of  the  Lord  should 
be  built  at  Jerusalem,  (Ezra  1:5.)  "there  rose  up  the  ehief  of  the 
fathers  of  Judab  and  Benjamin,  and  the  priestsand  Levites,  with  all 
them  whose  spirit  God  has  raised  to  go  up  to  build  the  house  of  the 
Lord  ;  and  all  they  that  were  about  them  strengthened  their  hands- 
with  vessels  of  silver,  with  gold,  and  with  goods,  with  beasts,  and 
with  many  precious  things,"  &c,  &c.  Shall  we  be  less  charitable- 
and  williugto  strengthen  the  hands  of  the  men  of  God,  who  are  go- 
ing to  and  fro  in  the  earth,  to  establish  the  bouse  of  the  Lord  in  all  the 
world,  by  giving  our  substance  to  send  the  Bible,  and  the  man  of 
God  to  the  heathens,  who  have  never  heard  of  God,  that  they  might 
call  on  Him  and  be  saved? 

Another  example,  when  the  demoniac  of  Godara  was  brought 
to  bis  right  mind,  (Mark  v.  19,  2),)  Jesus  said  unto  him,  "go  home- 
to  thy  friends  and  tell  them  how  great  things  the  Lord  has  done  for 
thee,"  and  he  departed  and  began  to  publish  in  Deca  polls,  how  great 
things  Jesus  had  done  for  him  and  aJl  men  did  marvel."  Ought  not 
we  as  Christians  to  dothe  same,  and  if  some  of  us  cannot  publish  the 
truth  abroad  we  can  support  those  that  can,  and  we  must  do  it  if 
we  do  our  duty. 

Another  example.  (Luke  ii.  17.)  When  the  angels  of  the  Lord 
had  informed  the  shepherds  that  a  Savior  was  born  in  Bethlehem, 
the  shepherds  immediately  made  known  abroad  the  sayings  that 
was  told  them  concerning  the  Child.  And  cannot  we,  clear  breth- 
ren, make  known  abroad,  that  Jesus  is  not  only  born  into  the  world, 
but  that  He  has  suffered,  died,  and  rose  again  for  the  justification 
of  all  that  believe  on  Him.  This  we'  can  do  by  loosing  the  hands  of  r 
our  ministers,  while  we  say  with  the  poet : 

"Go  messengers  of  peace  and  love, 
To  sinners  plunged  in  shades  of  night, 

Like-Gabriel  sent  from  fields  above, 
•Be  yours  to  shed  celestial  light." 

And  let  it  be  in  deed,  as  well  as  word,  for  there  are  many  that 
say  and  do  not. 

Another  example,  and  this  ought  to  shame  many  called  chris- 
tians, who  have  rendered  so  little  to  the  Lord  for  all  his  benefits. 
(Luke  xvii.  15-18.)  "When  Jesus  had  healed  ten  lepers,  and  one  of 
them  when  he  saw  that  he  was  healed,  turned  back  and  with  a  loud 
voice  glorified  God,  and  Jesus  answered  and  said,  "Were  there  not 
ten  cleansed,  and  where  are  the  nine?"  Is  it  possible  that  nine 
christians  out  of  ten  just  sit  down  and  never  glorify  God  in  carryiug 
out  that  great  commission,  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  521 


'  i 


Gospel  to  every  creature?"  "Go  ye  therefore  and  teach  all  nations. 
But  perhaps  the  nine  says,  this  command  is  only  to  the  tenth,  to- 
wit:  the  minister,  and  we  are  exempt.  Let  them  take  notice  when 
the  Savior  ascended  on  high  as  the  captain  of  our  salvation,  He  gave 
gifts  unto  men,  and  doubtless  some  of  these  gifts  were  the  ministry 
of  the  cross,  and  they  are  servants  of  the  church,  and  are  to  obey 
her  Gospel  calls  and  orders.  They  are  represented  as  the  servants 
of  the  church,  serving  the  church  as  an  ox  serves  his  owner.  Sup- 
pose A  was  to  bid  your  servant  to  come  and  labor  in  his  farm,  and  at 
the  same  time  had  no  power  or  authority  to  say  to  you  to  send  him, 
what  would  it  avail?  Then,  you  see,  dear  brethren,  that  the  com- 
mand is  to  both,  it  is  to  the  minister  to  go,  and  to  the  church  at  the 
same  time  to  send  him.  And  if  the  minister  refuses  to  go  he  should 
remember  that  ''woe  is  me  if  I  preach  not  the  Gospel  ;"  and  if  the 
church  refuse  to  send  and  enable  him  to  go,  she  should  remember 
that  it  is  written,  "woe  unto  them  that  are  at  ease  in  Zion." 

We  should  be  willing  at  least  to  devote  some  of  our  substance 
and  time  to  the  Lord,  but  this  is  very  hard  for  some  to  do,  and  they 
will  contend  that  it  is  not  their  duty.  But  what  savs  the  law  and 
the  testimony?  (1  Chron.  xxix.  4-6.)  In  the  building  of  the  temple 
David  shows  his  liberality  and  says  that  he  had  given  even  three 
thousand  talents  of  silver,  and  then  says,  who  then  is  willing  to  con- 
secrate his  services  this  day  to  the  Lord?  Then,  dear  brethren,  the 
church  of  Christ  is  to  be  built  up  in  all  the  world  ;  and  if  it  required 
gold  and  silver  in  the  days  of  David,  to  carry  on  the  work  of  the 
Lord,  why  not  now  ?  Do  we  suppose  the  Lord  has  lowered  His  de- 
mands in  consequence  of  the  covetousness  of  His  people?  Not  in 
the  least ;  but  to  the  contrary  He  has  raised  them,  for  where  much 
is  given  much  is  required.  As  our  property  increases,  our  obligation 
to  throw  into  the  treasury  of  the  Lord  increases  ;  for  we  are  com- 
manded to  give  according  to  what  we  have.  Then  how  hardly  shall 
the  rich  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven,  whom  God  has  blessed 
with  a  great  deal  of  the  goods  of  the  world  ?  And  yet  they  will 
shut  up  their  bowels  of  compassion  towards  the  heathen  that  are 
perishing  for  the  bread  of  life.    And 

"The  poor,  the  object  of  God's  love, 
Who  want  and  famine  dread." 

(Eccl.  xx.  1.)  Solomon,  in  giving  directions  for  charity,  says,"Cast 
thy  bread  upon  the  waters,  for  thou  shalt  find  it  after  many  days." 
"Give  a  portion  to  seven,  and  also  to  eight,  for  thou  knowest  not 
what  evil  shall  be  upon  the  earth."  (Frov.  xi.  24,  25.)  "There  is 
that  scattereth  yet  increaseth  ;  and  there  is  that  withholdeth  more 
than  is  meet,  and  tendeth  to  poverty."  "The  liberal  soul  shall  be 
made  fat."  The  Savior  was  careful  in  His  day  to  notice  the  liberal 
soul — so  much  so  that  He  stood  over  against  the  Treasury,  and  He 
saw  the  rich  man  casting  in  much,  and  also  the  poor  widow  cast  in 
her  two  mites,  and  He  said  that  she  had  cast  in  more  than  they  all. 
And  the  Savior  commands  His  people  to  sell  that  they  have  and  give 
alms.  This  was  His  advice  to  that  young  man  that  wished  to  know 
66 


522  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

what  good  thing  he  must  do,  yet  he  refuses  to  do  it.  Just  so  it  is 
with  many  called  christians  in  this  our  day  and  time  :  if  the  minis- 
ters of  Christ  tell  them  that  they  ought  to  give  to  the  missionary 
cause,  they  go  away  offended,  like  that  young  man ;  but,  my  dear 
brethren,  it  is  our  duty  to  send  the  Word  of  God  far  and  wide. 

How  few  christians  in  this  day  and  time  are  willing  to  act  the 
part  of  tbe  primitive  christians,  who  sold  their  possessions  and  goods 
and  parted  them  as  every  man  had  need.  "Neither  was  there  any 
that  lacked  ;  for  as  many  as  were  possessors  of  houses  or  lands,  sold 
them  and  distribution  was  made  unto  every  man  according  as  they 
had  need." 

iSoine  churches  will  say  they  are  willing  to  pay  for  their  own 
preaching,  but  they  are  unwilling  to  support  a  minister  to  go  and 
preach  to  others  ;  but  the  Apostle  says  to  the  Corinthians  that  he 
lobbed  other  churches  to  do  them  service ;  i.  e.,  other  churches  sup- 
ported him  when  he  was  preaching  to  them,  when  they  ought  to 
have  done  it — and  the  reason  was  the  Corinthians  had  not  yet  learn- 
ed their  duty.  We  that  know  our  duty  should  be  willing  to  send 
them  ministers,  that  they  may  learn  their  duty.  "But,"  some  will 
say,  "charity  should  commence  at  home."  Well  then,  be  sure  that 
you  do  not  muzzle  the  mouth  of  the  ox  that  treads  out  your  corn. 
We  are  sorry  to  say  that  there  are  churches  that  do  not  do  their  duty 
in  this  respect  ;  such  churches  ought  to  be  afraid  that  the  cries  of 
the  children  of  those  ministers  who  have  went  a  warfaring  at  their 
own  expense  and  fed  the  flock,  and  did  not  eat  of  the  milk  thereof, 
and  stood  at  the  altar  and  labored  day  and  night,  and  was  not  made 
partakers  of  the  things  of  the  altar,  will  rise  up  against  them  and 
condemn  them,  when  they  are  waiting  to  hear  that  welcome  ap- 
plause. "Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant." 

There  is  one  thought  that  should  stimulate  every  Baptist  to 
action  ;  that  is — God  has  kept  us,  as  a  people,  distinct  from  all  other 
societies  in  the  world.  What  society  but  this  could  have  subsisted 
amidst  the  mutations  of  a  hating  world?  Where  are  now  the 
mighty  empires  of  antiquity  ?  They  are  but  an  empty  name — live 
only  in  history,  crushed  by  bloody  wars.  But  the  church  of  Christ, 
though  she  has  undergone  many  revolutions,  remains  and  will  re- 
main when  the  consumption  determined  by  the  Lord  of  hosts  shall 
come  upon  all  the  earth.  Therefore,  dear  brethren,  we  ought  to  look 
around  us  and  say  not,  "there  are  four  months  and  then  cometh 
harvest ;  for  behold  the  fields  are  white  already  to  harvest."  We 
should  remember  that  thousands  of  the  human  family  are  perishing 
for  want  of  the  bread  of  life,  every  day  that  we  live  in  the  world  ; 
therefore  let  us  up  and  be  doing  while  it  is  day,  for  the  night  cometh 
when  no  man  can  work.  Let  us  look  through  the  telescope  of  love, 
over  all  the  earth  where  the  Gospel  has  not  been  preached,  and  see 
the  ignorance,  darkness,  superstition,  idolatry,  cruelty,  and  perish- 
ing condition  of  man  !  and  will  not  that  zeal  for  the  salvation  of  a 
sinking  world  become  like  Are  shut  up  in  the  bones'?  And  may  the 
cry   be  extorted    from  the  bosom  of  every  christian,  "Oh !  that  my 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  523 

head  were  waters  arid  my  eyes  were  a  fountain  of  tear.-!,  that  I  might 
weep  day  and  night"  for  the  perishing  condicioa  of  man  !  And  may 
Zion  awake  and  arise,  and  shake  herself  from  every  clog,  and  travel 
in  her  strength  until  many  sons  and  daughters  shall  be  born  of  God 
on  the  heathen  shores!  It  seems  unnecessary  to  prove  that  the 
heathen  cannot  be  saved  without  tjie  Gospel  ;  for  it  is  so  plain  it 
needs  no  proof.  Yet  we  will  cite  your  attention  to  a  few  Scripture 
texts:  The  Apostle  says  "that  it  has  pleased  the  Lord,  through  the 
foolishness  of  preaching  to  save  them  that  believe."  And  again, 
"Without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  God."  "And  he  that  comes 
to  God  must  believe  that  He  is,  and  He  is  a  rewarder  of  them  that 
diligently  seek  Him."  Again,  "How  can  they  believe  on  Him  of 
whom  they  have  not  heard,  and  how  can  they  hear  without  a 
preacher?"  The  Eunuch,  with  toe  Scriptures  in  his  hand,  says: 
"How  can  I  understand  them,  except  some  man  guide  me?"  How, 
then,  can  the  heathen  believe,  without  the  assistance  of  the  Bible 
and  teachers? 

It  is  perfect  nonsense  to  talk  of  believe  in  a  thing  never  heard  of. 
Then  if  theheathenaresaved  itmustbeupon  some  unknown  plan  dif- 
erent  from  that  of  the  Gospel, yet  we  read  of  but  one  cistern  being  hewn 
out,  and  but  one  system  being  set  up  by  our  Savior  to  save  sinners. 
But  some  will  say  like  Peter,  the  heathen  are  unclean,  and,  therefore, 
not  worthy  of  the  Gospel,  and  God  does  not  intend  they  shall  hear  it. 
The  answer  to  this  is,  "The  times  of  this  ignorance  God  winked  at, 
but  now  commands  all  men  every  where  to  repent."  And  he  more- 
over says,  "He  is  no  respecter  of  person." 

It  was  predicted  by  the  prophet,  that  the  once  hostile  nations 
around  about  Jerusalem  "  should  pay  them  annual  visits,  and  join 
in  their  festivals."  Yea,  saith  the  prophet  Isaiah,  "From  new 
moon  to  new  moon,  and  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath,  shall  all  flesh 
come  to  worship  before  the  Lord  of  hosts."  Now  it  is  evident  that 
these  high  predictions  were  never  accomplished  in  the  earthly  Zion, 
and  Jerusalem,  yea,  it  is  impossible  they  could  be  in  their  literal 
sense,  the  nature  of  things  forbids  it.  But  to  the  spiritual  Zion  and 
heavenly  Jerusalem  they  have  been  fulfilled,  and  shall  be  more  and 
more  accomplished.  For  this  holy  hill  must  be  established  in  all 
the  world,  and  we  can  come  to  the  city  of  the  living  God  without  a 
pilgrimage.  "Then  the  wolf  shall  dwell  with  the  lamb,  and  the 
leopard  with  the  kid,  and  the  young  lion  and  fatling  together,  and 
they  shall  not  hurt  nor  destroy  in  all  My  holy  mountain."  When 
shall  these  high  predictions  be  fully  accomplished?  Not  until  God's 
kingdom  will  come  and  over  all  prevail.  Then  the  nations  shall 
learn  war  no  more. 

But  some  will  admit  that  the  Gospel  is  to  be  preached  to  all  na- 
tions, whieh  will  be  at  God's  own  good  time.  Now  let  us  inquire 
when  that  "good  time"  is?  To-morrow?  No.  For  God  says  "boast 
not  thyself  of  to-morrow,"  for  thou  knowest  not  what  a  day  will 
bring  about.  Then  now  is  the  time,  says  God,  we  have  no  promise 
of  to-morrow,  now  is  the  time  for  us  to  lay  our  shoulder  to  the  Gos- 


524  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

pel  wheel,  and  roll  it  on  to  earth's  remotest  bounds.  Or  will  you  be 
at  et.se  in  Zion,  i.iid  slumber  while  the  Savior  pleads  for  a  sinking 
world  ? 

Universal  nature,  as  well  as  the  word  of  God,  has  pronounced  a 
woe  upon  them  that  are  at  ease  in  Zion.  If  then  brethren,  you 
would  till  the  design  of  your  holy  mission,  O  !  if  you  would  share  in 
the  blit-s  and  triumph  of  the  Redeemed  in  Heaven,  whose  employ- 
ments and  exercises  are  full  of  action,  you  must  throw  your  whole 
energy  into  the  mighty  work  before  you.  Let  one  simultaneous  on- 
set be  made  upon  the  territory  of  sin,  renewing  the  attack  day  by 
day,  and  press  on  with  unfaltering  ranks  until  the  bread  of  life,  the 
Bible  faithfully  translated;  is  carried  to  the  millions  of  earth,  and 
the  blessed  Gospel  is  extended  through  the  borders  of  our  own  land, 
and  to  the  uttermost  limits  of  the  habitable  globe. 

Behold  these  two  gigantic  enterprises  of  the  church !  The 
Bible  and  the  Missionary  Cause!  Going  forth  in  their  peerless 
majesty,  linked  hand  in  hand,  to  regenerate  and  exalt  to  God  a 
ruined  race,  now  in  their  struggle  at  the  threshold  of  infidelity ! 
They  turn  to  you  for  sympathy  and  help.  Shall  they  look  in  vain 
and  be  disappointed  f  Let  the  universal  response  be,  No--no.  Can 
you  say  in  the  magnanimity  your  souls,  God  being  our  helper,  we 
are  able  for  the  task  of  doing  our  share  of  spreading  the  Gospel  to  the 
ends  of  the  world !  If  so,  shrink  not  dear  brethren,  beneath  this 
stupendous  atlas.  God  is  your  strength,  therefore,  with  a  faith  and 
heroism  that  knows  no  surrender,  nerve  your  mind  for  the  giant 
effort.  And  let  the  magnificent  glory  that  shall  crown  your  victory, 
give  immortal  strength  to  your  broad  shoulders  to  sustain  the  migh- 
ty load. 

Already  the  sound  of  vicotrj  is  coming  in  loud  swelling  notes 
over  the  din  of  ihe  battle  field.  The  shouts  of  your  brethren  in  foreign 
lands  are  heard  rolling  across  the  mighty  waters.  AVill  you  then, 
not  help  to  push  on  the  triumphs  until  our  united  hosts  shall  be  seen 
coming  uvj  from  the  wilderness,  shining  as  the  morning,  "fair  as  the 
moon,  clear  as  the  sun,  and  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners?" 
Then  the  redeemed  millions  of  justified  spirits  and  angelic  armies 
will  rejoice  to  behold  those  triumphs  in  a  glorious  eternity;  then 
the  throng  of  the  redeemed  and  shining  legions  of  angels  will  join 
the  shoutings  of  universal  triumph, — saying,  blessing  and  honor, 
and  power  and  glory,  unto  Him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and 
unto  the  lamb  forever  and  ever.    Amen!  Joseph  Suttle. 

October  29th,  1855. 


Elder  Tate  W.  T.  Avas  born  in  Spartanburg  county, 
S.  C,  on  the  19th  of  October,  1858 ;  joined  the  church  at 
Sandy  Springs  in  Polk  county,  and  was  baptized  February, 
1874.  Shortly  afterwards  united  with  Arrowood  church, 
where  his  membership  now  is.  He  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  May  27th,  1881,  and  has  rendered  good 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  525 

service  as  a  missionary  within  the  bounds  of  the  Broad  River 
Association,  both  in  sustaining  feeble  churches  and  organ- 
izing new  ones.  Elder  Tate's  scholastic  opportunities  have 
been  limited,  but  he  has  greatly  overcome  that  deficiency 
by  a  close  application  to  books  and  self-culture.  He  proves 
himself  a  workman  by  his  many  labors  ministerially  that 
needs  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  Word  of  Truth, 
iind  giving  to  each  his  respective  portion  in  due  season. 
Having  labored  successfully  for  a  time  as  a  missionary,  and 
becoming  acceptable  to  many  as  a  preacher,  he  has  been 
•called  to  the  discharge  of  pastoral  labor  by  several  of  the 
churches,  and  we  are  informed  that  he  renders  satisfaction, 
and  is  generally  popular  and  practical  as  a  pastor. 

As  Elder  Tate  still  lives,  and  is  in  the  prime  and  vi^or 
•of  "manhood,  it  is  hoped  earnestly  by  his  brethren  and  nu- 
merous friends  that  his  subsequent  life  may  not  only  be  pro- 
tracted in  years,  but  be  characterized  for  perseverance  in 
well  doing  in  the  cause  of  the  Master,  and  that  in  the  long 
future  he  may  be  able  to  retrospect  a  well  spent  and  useful 
life,  and  have  many  seals  to  his  ministry. 


Taylor,  Elder  Thomas  Jerome  was  born  in  Mecklen- 
burg county,  1ST.  C,  on  the  14th  of  April,  1849.  His  early 
.years  were  spent  in  Charlotte,  where  he  received  the  rudi- 
ments of  an  education  under  such  eminent  educators  as 
Profs.  Mortimer,  Johnson,  Armstead,  Burwell,  and  Elder 
R.  C.  Griffith.  In  November,  1864,  there  was  a  wonderful 
work  of  grace  in  the  Tryon  street  Methodist  church  of  which 
Rev.  Claudius  II.  Pritchard  was  pastor.  Mr.  Taylor  attend- 
ed the  meetings,  was  deeply  convicted  for  sin,  and  after 
three  days'  earnest  struggle  was  happily  converted  and  en- 
tered the  Methodist  communion.  He  was  early  impressed 
with  his  obligations  to  preach  Christ,  but  on  account  of  his 
extreme  vouth,  want  of  education,  and  beinj>;  destitute  of 
the  means  and  in  every  way  feeling  unfitted  for  the  work 
lie,  for  some  considerable  time,  resisted  the  impressions  to 
preach.  The  work  of  preaching  thrust  itself  upon  him  in 
this  way  :  boys  of  his  own  age  came  to  him  to  inquire  the 
way  of  salvation  ;  brethren  would  call  on  him  to  pray,  con- 
duct prayer-meetings  and  deliver  exhortations.  This  kind 
of  work  was  well  calculated  to  lead  him  into  the  ministry. 
\When  he  finally  made  up  his  mind  to  enter  the  ministry, 
the  question  as  to  what  he  should  preach  naturally  presented 
itself,  and  he  beo;an  to  studv  the  Bible  with  a  view  to  ascer- 
taining  what  he  ought  to  preach.  At  this  juncture  he  met 
with  Elder  A.  J.  Cansler,  who  directed  his  attention  to  the 


526  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES 

subject  of  baptism,  and  he  at  once  began  the  investigation.) 
with  no  books  but  the  Bible  and  Sommers  on  baptism.  He 
studied  at  first  for  the  purpose  of  refuting  Mr.  Cansler's  ar- 
gument, and  afterwards,  when  the  truth  began  to  force  itself 
upon  his  mind,  he  studied  for  the  purpose  of  learning  the- 
trnth  in  regard  to  the  mode  and  subjects  of  baptism.  After 
considerable  time  spent  in  the  investigation  of  the  subject  he- 
arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  the  immersion  of  a  believer  in 
water,  in  the  name  of  the  Trinity ,  was  the  only  baptism 
known  in  the  Word  of  God.  It  then  became  his  duty  to- 
connect  himself  with  the  Baptist  church.  Acting  on  his- 
convictions  of  dutv  he  went  to  Bruington  church,  in  Gaston- 
county,  and  sought  membership  and  was  received  into  their 
fellowship,  being  baptized  on  the  13th  day  of  January,  1866,, 
by  Elder  A.  J.  Cansler.  On  the  same  day  the  church 
licensed  him  to  preach,  and  he  at  once  entered  upon  the 
work  of  preaching  the  Gospel.  The  first  year  of  his  minis- 
try was  spent  as  an  independent  missionary  in  the  counties- 
of  Mecklenburg,  Gaston  and  Catawba. 

After  working  for  several  months  among  the  destitute- 
in  these  counties,  he  went  to  Charlotte  and  became  a  pupil 
of  that  very  earnest,  self-denying,  consecrated  servant  of 
Christ,  J.  J.  Blackwood.  Through  his  influence  he  was  in- 
troduced to  Elder  A.  L.  Stough,  who  became  and  continued 
his  staunch  friend  during  the  years  he  was  struggling  to  se- 
cure an  education.  During  these  vears  he  was  a  student 
from  time  to  time  in  several  institutions.  At  one  time  he 
was  in  Mr.  George  Anderson's  school ;  then  he  was  a  stu- 
dent under  .Elder  R.  H.  Griffith,  in  Charlotte.  He  also 
attended  the  school  taught  by  Elder  E.  A.  Poe,  in  Dallas, 
and  Prof.  McCauley.  in  Monroe.  His  last  educational  advan- 
tages were  enjoyed  in  Furman  University,  Greenville,  S.  C. 
His  eyes  failing  from  overwork  it  became  necessary  for  him 
to  leave  school  when,  at  the  call  of  Tuckascge  church,  he 
was  ordained  at  Bruington  church  on  the  16th  day  of  May, 
1868,  by  a  presbytery  consisting  of  Elders  E.  A.  Poe,  James 
Brumheld  and  Jeptlia  Clark.  On  the  29th  day  of  Septem- 
ber; 1870,  he  was  married  in  the  Cheraw  Baptist  church  to 
Miss  Emily  B.  King,  by  Elder  J.  0.  B.  Dargan,  D.D.,  assist- 
ed by  J.  W.  Bum."  His  ministerial  life  has  been  spent  in 
connection  with  churches  in  the  Catawba  River  and  Brown's 
Creek  Associations  in  North  Carolina,  and  the  Welsh  Neck, 
•the  Moriah,  the  York  and  Broad  River  Associations  in  South 
Carolina,  lie  is  the  present  Moderator  of  the  Broad  River 
Association,  which  position  he  has  heretofore  occupied  since 
becoming  a  member  of  said  body.  He  is  at  present  serving 
Mount  Joy,   Goucher  Creek  and  Grassy  Pond  churches  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  527 

i:l, e  Broad  River  Association,  and  Putmaii   church,  in  the 
-Union  Association. 

As  Elder  Taylor  is  yet  living,  it  is  not  meet  to  speak  of 
the  results  of  his  labors  in  detail.  The  Lord  was  anointed 
-for  his  burial  ;  k  is  not  meet  therefore  that  the  oil  of  praise 
should  anoint  the  servant  while  he  lives.  Therefore 
we  will  not  eulogize  Ins  life  or  labors  now,  further  than  to 
.■say,  that  as  he  is  only  in  the  34th  vear  of  his  age — judging 
"the  future  by  the  past — we  have  encouargement  to  hope  that 
-lie  may  be  able  to  render  much  and  lasting;  service  in  the 
cause  of  the  Master,  We  may  add,  however,  that  during 
.his  ministry  he  has  been  successful  as  an  evangelist,  many 
hundreds  having  been  converted  through  his  instrument- 
ality, and  he  has  buried  more  than  1000  in  the  liquid  grave 
•of  baptism.     May  the  Lord  bless  his  future  labors  ! 


Turner,  Elder  John  was  a  pioneer  minister  of  the 
Broad  River  Association.  Doubtless,  he  participated  in  the 
•organization  in  1800.  The  Minutes  of  1801  show  that  he 
was  in  the  session  of  that  year  as  a  delegate  from  Buck  Creek 
•church,  associated  with  Elders  Burges,  Camp,  the  Blackwells, 
Morgan,  Cantrell  and  Carlton  in  devising  measures  for  the 
future  welfare  of  the  denomination.  We  know  nothing  of 
his  ministerial  qualifications,  nor  of  the  date  of  his  advent 
into  the  world.  He  was  probably  a  veteran  in  1801,  and 
died  soon  afterward  or  emigrated  to  some  other  field,  as  we 
are  unable  to  trace  him  any  farther  in  the  Minutes  of  the 
Association.  He  has  numerous  descendants,  some  of  whom 
reside  within  the  limits  of  the  Broad  River  Association,  that 
will  doubtless  take  a  pride  in  preserving  the  name  and  praise- 
worth  v  deeds  of  their  ancestor,  who  bv  the  neglect  of  thought- 
3ess  friends,  has  been  suffered  to  siuk  almost  into  oblivion. 
May  his  name  long  be  had  in  remembrance. 


Tollison,  Elder  John  appears  in  the  Minutes  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  of  1870,  as  a  member  of,  and  dele- 
gate from  El  Bethel  church,  then  a  layman.  He  was  proba- 
bly licensed  to  preach  in  1871,  and  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry  soon  afterwards,  as  we  find  that  he  was 
pastor  of  (iilea-d,  Upper  Fair  Forest,  Unity  and  Abingdon's 
Creek  churches  in  the  years  1872  to  1877. 

We  are  not  informed  as  to  the  date  of  Elder  Tollison's 
birth,  or  of  his  ministerial  qualifications,  but  learn  from  the 
Minutes  that  he  has  labored  under  the  direction  of  the  Mis- 
sion Board  in  supplying  feeble  churches,  and  destitute  settle- 
ments with  the  ministration  of  the  word,  very  satisfactory  to 


528  BIOGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

the  Association  to  which  he  belongs,,  and  to  those  among; 
whom  he  labored. 


Underwood,  Elder  E.  J.  was  a  member  of  the  Phila- 
delphia church,  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C,  as  far  back  as 
1830.  He  appears  in  nearly  all  the  sessions-  of  the  Broad 
River  Association  as  a  lay  delegate  till  1839.  At  that  ses- 
sion he  appe'ars  a  licentiate,  and  in  1845  an  ordained  minis- 
ter. Ke  probably  emigrated  to  some  other  field  of  laborr 
outside  of  the  bounds  of  the  Broad  River  body,  as  we  are 
unable  to  trace  him  any  further  in  the  Minutes,  We  sup- 
pose he  was  a  near  relative  of  Deacon  W.  Underwood,  of 
Cedar  Springs,  whose  demise  was  so  favorably  noticed  in 
the  Minutes  of  1837. 


West,  Elder  James  appears  to  have  been  &  member  of 
Head  of  Tyger  River  church,  and  a  licensed  preacher  in 
1819.  He,  with  Elders  Nathaniel  Jackson  and  D.  Forest, 
represented  the  church  that  year  in  the  session  of  the  Asso- 
ciation at  Head  of  Tyger  River,  and  the  next  year  at  Moun- 
tain Creek.  He  was  probably  ordained  to  the  full  work  of 
the  Gospel  ministry  in  1820,  for  at  the  sessions  of  1821  to 
1826  he  appeared  as  an  ordained  minister.  He  probably 
died  soon  after  the  organization  of  the  Tyger  River  Associ- 
ation. We  are  uninformed  as  to  the  date  of  his  birth,  but 
he  doubtless  attained  to  a  considerable  age.  We  know  some 
of  his  descendants,  who  still  live  in  the  region  of  country 
where  many  years  ago  he  proclaimed  the  glad  tidings  of  the 
Gospel.     Let  his  name  still  be  had  in  remembrance. 


Weathers,  Elder  Thomas  was  a  member  of  and  dele- 
gate from  Bethesda  church  (a  new  constitution)  to  the  ses- 
sions of  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1821  to  1829.  He 
was  an  ordained  minister  when  he  first  joined  the  Associa- 
tion, and  may  have  continued  with  the  Broad  River  as  long 
as  he  lived.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  he  moved  away 
to  some  other  field,  as  the  Bethesda  church  still  remained 
in  the  Broad  River.  If  he  had  died  doubtless  the  Associa- 
tion would  have  noticed  it  in  the  Minutes.  We  have  no  in- 
formation only  as  we  glean  from  the  Minutes. 


Webb,  Elder  James  Milton  was  born  October  7th, 
1802,  in  Rutherford  county,  N.  C.  In  the  year  1834  he  was 
converted  and  baptized  by  Elder  John  Padgett,  into  the  fel- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  52.) 

lowship  of  the  High  Shoal  church  and  soon  afterward  licensed 
to  preach  the  Gospel,  and  sent  as  a  delegate  to  the  Associa- 
tion. And  in  18-35  he  appeared  in  the  Broad  River  Associ- 
ation as  a  delegate  and  ordained  minister,  and  again  in  the 
sessions  of  1836  to  1841.  In  1836  he  was  appointed  to  preach 
the  introductory  sermon  for  1837.  That  year  he  was  elected 
Clerk  of  the  Association  and  prepared  the  Circular  Letter, 
on  the  necessity  of  the  agency  of  the  spirit  of  God,  in  the  work  of 
regeneration  on  the  soul, — which  letter  we  have  thought  prop- 
er to  reproduce  in  this  work,  lie  continued  to  act  as  clerk 
of  the  body  until  the  session  of  1841,  when  the  High  Shoal 
church  with  others  were  dismissed  to  aid  informingthe  Green 
River  Association,  and  thereby  isolated  Elder  Webb  from  the 
Broad  River  body.  During  his  stay  with  the  Broad  River 
he  was  a  very  important  factor  in  the  associational  proceed- 
ings. He  prepared  a  Circular  Letter  for  the  session  of  1839, 
on  the  divine  and  special  call  from  God  to  men  to  preach  the  Gos- 
pel of  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  evidences  that  manifest  themseloes  in 
a  person  so  ccdled — which  was  a  document  of  rare  interest 
and  worth;  and  then  again  he  prepared  a  letter  on  the  sub- 
ject of  Communion  the  same  year  that  he  left  the  Broad  River 
body,  that  should  be  reproduced  and  preserved. 

When  the  Green  River  Association  was  organized  he 
was  at  once  called  to  preside  over  its  deliberations  and  con- 
tinued a  prominent  and  leading  factor  in  the  business  opera- 
tions of  the  bodv  as  long  as  he  lived,  which  was  something 
over  twelv;e  years  afterwards. 

He  had  been  for  many  years  (extending  back  before  he 
joined  the  church)  a  very  popular  citizen,  and  had  served 
several  times  in  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  and  was  after- 
wards elected  clerk  of  the  Superior  Court,  which  office  he 
filled  with  such  entire  satisfaction  that  he  was  suffered  to 
hold  it  as  by  the  almost  unanimous  consent  of  the  people 
for  the  space  of  about  sixteen  years. 

In  the  year  18 —  he  married  Miss  Kitty  White,  with 
whom  he  lived  in  tender  affection  manv  years,  bv  whom  was 
born  to  him  thirteen  children — ten  sons  and  three  daughters, 
when,  by  the  ruthless  hand  of  death,  she  was  taken  from 
him  to  her  reward  in  the  skies.  He  afterward  married  a 
second  wife,  Miss  Nancy  Hampton,  a  most  excellent  lady, 
by  whom  was  borne  to  him  yet  three  more  children — two 
sons  and  a  daughter,  making  sixteen  in  all  ,  and  thev  all 
ade  a  profession  of  religion,  and  one  of  the  sons  is  a  min- 
ister. But  strange  to  say — of  this  large  progeny,  only  five 
are  known  as  survivors  of  the  present  period.  The  second 
wife  died  several  years  ago,  and  Elder  J.  M.  Webb  himself 
died  on  the  24th  of  April,  1854,  in  the  52nd  year  of  his  age. 
67 


530  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

His  personal  appearance  will  be  recollected  by  many  that  sur- 
vive him.  He  was  full  six  feet  in  height  of  slender,  loose 
build,  somewhat  stooped,  moved  awkwardly,  had  large  black 
ej-es  protected  by  long  dark  lashes,  which  seemed  to  be 
beaming  with  unquenchable  fire ;  his  mouth  large  but  thin 
lipped;  his  nose  thin  and  straight,  and  the  whole  face  partak- 
ing rather  of  the  bilious  temperament,  His  hair  being  very 
black,  long  and  straight,  was  generally  turned  on  the  right 
side  when  uncovered.  He  was  an  eloquent  preacher,  but 
his  great  forte  was  displayed  in  debate,  he  had  the  faculty  to 
anticipate  the  strong  points  of  his  opponents,  and  generally 
destroyed  them  before  they  could  be  used  against  him  in  the 
argument.  In  company  he  was  generally  taciturn  in  his  manner 
and  not  having  a  very  prepossessing  appearance,  his  ability  to 
grapple  with  obstruse  questions  would  never  be  anticipated  by 
a  stranger,  and  consequently  his  demolishing  remarks  gen- 
erally came  as  a  surprise  entirely  unexpected,  and  always' 
spread  dismay  and  confusion  into  the  ranks  of  his  opponents. 
He  generally  succeeded  in  bearing  off  the  palm  of  victory, 
and  a  second  trial  was  never  desired  by  his  opponent. 

CIRCULAR  LETTER. 

To  the  several  Churches  of  the  Broad  River  Association. 

Dear  Brethren  : — Under  the  direction  of  a  resolution  of  our  last 
Association,  we  address  you  by  letter  upou  the  subject  then  submitted 
to  our  notice,  to-\vit :   The  necessity  of  the  Agency  of  the  Spirit  of  God 

in  the  work  of  Regeneration  on  the  soul. 

In  reviewing  the  importance  of  the  great  variety  of  subjects  con- 
nected with  the  economy  of  man's  redemptions  there  seems  to  be 
but  few  that  would  equal  that  to  which  your  attention  is  now  in- 
vited. And  we  are  impressed  with  a  knowledge  of  the  fact,  that  we 
shall  be  entirely  unable  to  do  anything  like  partial  justice  of  so 
much  magnitude,  upon  which  we  might  write  volumes,  while  our 
labors  are  confined  to,  and  circumscribed  by,  the  limits  of  a  short 
circular  letter. 

We  feel  the  more  embarrassed  and  uneasy  in  consequence  of  the 
facts  above  alluded  to,  when  we  take  into  consideration  the  danger 
to  which  men  are  exposed  in  coming  to  a  correct  conclusion  upon  a 
subject,  the  right  understanding  of  which  virtually  affect  their  im- 
mortal interests,  which  danger  in  a  great  degree  arises  Irom  the  fact 
that  many  men  who  set  themselves  up  to  be  teachers  in  Israel,  hav- 
ing not  themselves  tasted  or  experienced  the  divine  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  upon  their  own  hearts,  refuse  the  testimony  and  disbe- 
lieve the  declarations  of  those  who  have,  and  by  a  forced  construc- 
tion of  the  Word  of  God — false  in  fact — bring  themselves  to  the 
conclusion  that,  as  the  Spirit  has  never  produced  a  change  in  their 
minds,  that  all  who  profess  it  are  misguided  enthusiasts,  who  make 
professions  that  are  not  sustained  by  facts.     These  men  being  or  pro- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  531 

fessing  to  be  teachers,  and  having  a  name  to  live,  though  dead,  by 
their  ingeneous  arguments  aud  laborious  efforts  in  encompassing 
sna  and  laud  to  proselyte  others  into  a  belief  of  their  doctrine — and 
propped,  as  their  efforts  are,  by  a  large  share  of  the  wisdom  of  the 
world,  united  to  an  appearance  of  great  zeal  in  professing  the  form 
of  godliness,  while  they  deny  its  power,  are  well  calculated  to  deceive 
and  mislead  the  unlearned  and  unwary  part  of  society,  and  charm 
their  minds,  already  corrupt,  into  a  belief  of  their  false  and  danger- 
ous doctrines. 

Such  considerations  as  the  foregoing  make  us  much  desire  that 
while  we  take  up  our  pen  to  write,  our  limits  would  enable  us  to 
bring  such  an  embodied  view  of  the  testimony  and  facts  to  your  no- 
tice as  would  present  the  subject  in  its  most  clear  and  proper  light. 
In  laying  before  you,  however,  such  facts  and  arguments  as  our  lim- 
its will  enable  us,  we  premise  that  it  will  be  admitted  by  all  as  a 
sound  maxim  in  the  doctrine  of  theology,  that  God  would  not  in  His 
dealings  with  mankind,  and  in  the  planning  of  His  eternal  purposes 
relative  to  man's  salvation,  have  introduced  and  brought  into  exer- 
cise the  employment  of  means  for  which  there  was  no  necessity.  As 
the  necessity  of  a  thing,  however,  arises  from  the  interest  we  have 
in  the  success  of  a  measure,  aud  the  danger  there  is  of  its  failure,  we 
think  that  we  can  hardly  give  you  a  correct  understanding  of  our 
subject  without  showing  what  the  true  situation  of  man  is,  and  in 
doing  this  we  shall  be  governed  by  the  account  of  his  condition  as 
given  us  in  the  Word  of  God,  which  account  represents  man  as  hav- 
ing once  been  a  happy  being,  living  in  the  midst  of  the  richest  abun- 
dance— enjoying  the  sweetest  intercourse  with  his  Divine  Creator, 
and  surrounded  by  the  dazzling  beauties  of  an  unfaded  Paradise. 
But  this  glorious  view  of  his  condition  by  the  introduction  of  sin 
into  the  world  is  soon  changed  from  its  blooming  appearance  into 
that  of  gloominess,  sorrows  and  death  ;  man  disobeyed  the  command 
of  his  God  and  thereby  incurred  His  divine  displeasure,  and  brought 
upon  himself  ruin  and  misery  ;  he  became  a  lost  being — lost  beyond 
recovery  and  hope,  so  far  as  that  hope  and  power  of  recovery  rested 
in  himself.  These  facts  are  made  manifest  by  proofs  that  we  might 
introduce  in  a  variety  of  ways,  which  would  be  calculated  to  demon- 
state  the  facts  above  set  forth,  a  few  of  which,  drawn  from  the  Word 
of  God,  must  at  present  suffice.  "And  you  (said  the  inspired  Apos- 
^tie)  hath  he  quickened,  who  were  dead  in  trespasses  and  in  sins." 
(Eph.  ii.  1.)  Aj;ain  (Col.  ii.  13,)  "And  you  being  dead  in  your  sins, 
hath  he  quickened,"  &c.  (Born.  v.  12,  "Wherefore,  as  by  one  man. 
sin  eptered  into  the  world  ;  and  death  by  sin,  and  so  death  passed 
upon  all  men,  for  all  that  have  sinned  ;"  and  in  John  v.  20,  it  is  der 
clared  that  those  that  hear  and  believe  have  passed  from  death  unto 
life.  Many  other,  like  Scriptural  texts,  might  we  introduce,  and 
stronger  still,  if  possible,  to  show  that  man,  in  the  fall,  had  all  his 
powers  of  spiritual  life  destroyed,  and  became  lost  beyond  recovery, 
so  far  as  the  power  of  recovery  rested  in  himself;  for  death  is  a  state 
of  insensibility  and  inactivity,  spiritually  as  well  as  literally,  and  a 


532  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

dead  man  is  insensible  and  incapable  of  restoring  himself  to  life, 
and  the  Scriptures  abundantly  declare  that  poor  man  in  a  state  of 
nature  is  dead  in  trespasses  and  in  sins  and  buried  in  the  grave  of 
transgressions  That  the  innate  depravity  and  corruption  of  the 
heart,  and  the  habits  of  sin  and  transgression  confirmed  by  this 
state  of  inbred  corruption,  are  the  poisonous  deadly  things  that  have 
slain  the  soul  and  which  hath  destroyed  all  the  powers  that  depend 
upon  a  state  of  life,  and  without  the  possession  of  which  none  can 
be  saved,  about  which  powers  we  beg  leave  to  take  a  passing  notice. 
And  1st,  it  is  evident  that  knowledge  is  dependent  upon  a  state  of 
life  ;  for  a  man  that  is  dead,  though  he  may  be  under  the  influence 
of,  and  surrounded  by  the  cold  damps  of  a  loathsome  grave,  yet  he 
has  not  the  power  of  knowing  what  his  true  situation  is  ;  and  a  soul, 
dead  in  trespasses  and  in  sins,  lie  buried  in  and  surrounded  by  the 
effluvia  and  rottenness  of  a  dead  soul,  with  the  vilest  lusts  like  worms 
preying  and  rioting  in  this  mass  of  its  corrupted  existence,  and  yet 
it  is  unconscious  of  its  melancholy  and  deplorable  condition  ;  not 
only  is  man  unable  to  know  his  own  dread  situation,  but  he  has  lost 
all  saving  knowledge  of  his  God  ;  and  although  in  other  respects  he 
may  be  possessed  of  great  scientific  knowledge,  and  a  large  share 
of  the  wisdom  of  the  world,  yet  it  is  evident  that  he  knows  nothing 
of  the  character  of  the  true  God  ;  for  the  Apostle  Paul  declares  that 
the  world  by  wisdom  knew  not  God,  and  John  is  very  pointed  on 
this  subject,  for  he  says  that,  "he  that  saith  I  know  Him  and  keep- 
eth  not  His  commandments  is  a  liar,  and  the  truth  is  not  in  Him." 

2d.  The  power  of  sight  is  lost  by  death,  and  man  is  under  the 
influence  of  spiritual  blindness,  which  will  be  proven  by  reference 
to  the  4th  chapter  of  Luke  and  18th  verse,  where  it  is  declared  that 
the  coming  of  the  Savior,  with  other  things,  was  for  the  recovery  of 
sight  to  the  blind  [See  2d  Peter  i.  9 ;]  and  many  other  Scriptures 
might  we  recite,  which  would  go  to  prove  that  the  god  of  this  world 
hath  blinded  the  eyes  of  poor  sinful  man,  and  which,  united  with  the 
foregoing  proofs,  leaves  the  matter  beyond  doubt  that  he  is  under 
the  influence  of  spiritual  depravity,  with  all  the  powers  of  spiritual 
life  destroyed,  and  that  under  these  circumstances  he  is  pressing  on 
the  road  to  everlasting  misery  and  sorrow,  without  being  able  to  see 
or  know  whither  he  is  going,  and  what  is  the  true  extent  and  awful 
nature  of  the  danger  that  awaits  him.  Being  under  circumstances 
like  those  related,  man  is  ihdeed  an  alien  and  stranger,  without 
hope,  ruined  and  lost,  miserable  and  undone,  without  the  possession 
of  a  single  power  that  could  in  any  degree  tend  to  his  recovery. 
Awful  indeed  !  beyond  the  power  of  the  imagination  to  picture  out, 
i,s  the  depth  of  that  dark  abyss  into  which  we  were  plunged  by  the 
fall !  and  more  awful  still  must  that  state  be  in  which  man  will  find 
himself,  if  deliverance  therefrom  depended  on  himself  alone. 

But,  thanks  to  the  intervention  of  the  tender  mercies  of  our 
God,  who,  in  tender  consideration  of  this,  our  woe-worn  condition, 
and  for  the  great  love  which  He  had  in  eternal  wisdom,  devised  a 
plan  and  covenanted  that  by  the  employment  of  means  embraced  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  533 

that  plan,  man  should  be  redeemed  from  death,  restored  to  life,  and 
finally  accepted  and  received  into  the  presence  and  bosom  of  his 
Heavenly  Father. 

About  this  covenant  we  shall  say  but  little,  as  our  limits  forbid. 
But  the  parties  contracting  are  represented  in  the  Scriptures  to  be 
•the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Spirit,  which  form  the  adorable  Trinity 
•or  Triune.  Each  of  which  is  represented  as  sustaining  and  cove* 
aianting  to  perform  a  certain  office  in  the  economy  of  man's  redemp* 
tion,  and  in  the  fulfillment  of  which  a  discovery  is  made  to  a  dying 
world,  and  that  in  living  beauties  and  loveliness  the  great  love  of 
God  towards  the  sons  of  man,  and  the  rich  reward  that  they  shall 
reap  by  the  accomplishment  of  the  parts  assigned  to  each  of  the  high 
contracting  parties,  and  by  which  is  also  exhibited  the  Godhead  in 
•distinct  and  glorious  manifestations  of  its  eternal  excellencies.  For 
in  the  history  that  is  given  of  this  covenant,  the  Father  is  represent- 
ed as  planning  the  scheme,  the  Son  as  executing  it,  and  the  Divine 
Spirit  as  applying  to  believers  the  benefits  of  the  planned  and  pur- 
chased redemption.  We  shall  not  stop  to  bring  the  proofs  that 
might  be  introduced  which  relate  to  the  performance  of  the  parts 
■assigned  to  the  two  first  persons  named  in  the  covenant,  but  shall 
confine  ourselves  to  that  part  which  establishes  the  agency  of  the 
third  person,  or  Holy  Spirit,  in  this  great  work,  and  which  tends  to 
the  accomplishment  of  the  great  end  in  view,  which  was  to  restore 
man  to  spiritual  life,  and  revive  in  him  all  the  powers  dependent 
thereon.  And  first,  we  see  this  agency  wonderfully  displayed  in  its 
sanctifying  influence  upon  the  offering  or  atonement  made  in  the 
person  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  body  of  whom  became  a  sacrifice,  and 
who,  through  the  eternal  Spirit,  offered  Himself  without  spot  to 
God  [Heb,  ix,  1-i.]  which  body  was  the  gift,  sanctified  by  the  Altar, 
which  Altar  was  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  without  which  sanctifying 
influence  the  atonement  would  have  been  rendered  unfit  for  accept- 
ance, and  never  could  have  effected  the  object  designed,  for  it  is  the 
Altar  that  sanctifieth  the  gift.  The  uniting  of  this  sanctifying  in- 
fluence with  the  works  of  the  Son  of  God,  in  accomplishing  the 
great  end  in  view,  is  more  fully  established  by  the  decided  manner 
in  which  the  Prophet  Isaiah  speaks  in  the  Ixi.  chapter  of  his  proph- 
ecy :  he  says,  commencing  at  the  1st  verse:  "The  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
God  isupon  me,  because  the  Lord  hath  anointed  me  to  preach  good 
tidings  \uuto  the  meek  ;  he  hath  sent  me  to  bind  up  the  broken- 
hearted j;  to  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captives  and  the  opening  of  the 
prisons  to  them  that  are  bound  ;  to  proclaim  the  acceptable  year  of 
the  Lord,  and  the  day  of  vengeance  of  our  God,  to  comfort  all  that 
mourn,  to  appoint  unto  them  that  mourn  in  Zion  ;  to  give  unto  them 
beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and  the  garment  of 
praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness."  That  this  was  spoken  of  the  Sa- 
vior, is  made  manifest  by  reference  to  the  18th  and  19th  verses  of  the 
same  prophecy:  it  is  declared  'that  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  should  rest 
upon  Him,  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  understanding,"  &c. 

By  reviewing  the  foregoing  facts,  it  will  be  seen  how  much  de- 


534  BIQGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

pencled  on  the  aid  of  the  Spirit  in  the  accomplishment  of  cut  re- 
demption, without  which  the  atonement  could  not  have  been- 
accepted,  the  righteous  law  of  God  must  have  remained  unsatisfied  -r 
the  thunders  of  which  would  have  roared  in  long  and  awful  peals- 
against  a  sinful  and  condemned  world,  and  the  fiery  vengeance  of 
Almighty  God  unappeased  must  have  fallen  upon  the  whole  family 
of  suffering  man.  The  glorious  news  of  redeeming  grace  could  not. 
have  been  preached  without  the  anointing  of  the  Holy  Spirit;  the 
poor,  broken-hearted  sinner  must  have  remained  without  the  heal- 
ing influence  of  the  Balm  of  Gilead,  and  the  nidurning  soul  might 
in  vain  have  turned  its  wishful  eyes  to  see  if  there  was  any  hope  of 
deliverance  from  this  body  of  death,  and  long  might  the  prisoner 
have  remained  enchained  under  the  influence  of  that  sentence,  which 
is  incident  to  the  curse  of  God's  broken  law. 

The  atonement,  however,  is  by  tlie  sanctifying  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  made  complete  and  acceptable  to  God.  It  now  remained 
that  through  some  channel  the  virtue  of  the  death  of  Christ,  under 
these  circumstances,  should  be  conveyed  to  man,  and  the  means  ap- 
plied and  sanctified,  so  that  they  might  produce  their  healing  influ- 
ence in  the  restoration  of  his  soul  from  a  state  of  death  unto  a  state 
of  life  ;  for,  notwithstanding  the  means  might  be  provided  and  pre- 
pared, yet  if  they  remain  unapplied  the  communications  of  life  can- 
not be  produced,  without  which  man  remains  as  helpless  as  ever. 
This  is  effected  by  the  declarations  of  the  Word  of  God  in  the  preach- 
ing of  the  Gospel,  attended  by  the  qualifying  influence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit ;  tor  as  the  Son  aud  Spirit  is  united  in  the  life  and  death  of 
Christ  in  making  the  offering  complete,  so  we  see  that  the  united 
virtue  of  the  Word  and  Spirit  is  necessary  in  the  communications  of 
life  to  the  soul.  And  this  explains  the  language  of  the  Apustle  Paul, 
when  he  says,  "How  can  we  believe  in  him  of  whom  we  have  not 
heard?  and  how  can  we  hear  without  a  preacher?  and  how  can  he 
preach  except  he  be  sent?"  The  dispensation  of  the  Gospel  must 
be  given  to  enable  man  to  believe,  and  it  must  be  given  through  a 
channel  prepared  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  for  as  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
God  was  upon  Christ  as  the  great  preacher  of  Righteousness,  it  cer- 
tainly must  in  its  qualifying  degree  rest  upon  those  who  come  as 
ambassadors  in  His  stead  ;  and  if  He  was  anointed  by  the  unction 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  much  more  is  it  necessary  that  those  that  come 
in  His  name  should  be.  Here  we  might  introduce  testimony  of  the 
strongest  kind  in  addition  to  that  above,  to  show  that  those  who 
preach  the  Gospel  are,  or  ought  to  be,  assisted  by  the  attendant  agen- 
cy of  the  Spirit  of  Almighty  God.  In  consequence,  however,  of  our 
confined  limits,  we  offer  only  a  few  passages  as  it  stands  recorded  in 
the  volume  of  life,  says  Christ  Himself.  John  xiv.  26.  "But  the 
comforter,  which  is  the  Holy  Ghost,  whom  the  Father  will  send  in 
my  name,  He  shall  teach  you  all  things,  and  bring  all  things  to 
your  remembrance  whatsoever  I  have  said  unto  you."  [same  book 
xvi.  13.]  "Howbeit,  when  He,  the  spirit  of  truth  is  come,  He  will 
guide  you  into  all  truth  [verse  10.]     He  shall  glorify  me,  for  He  shall 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  533 

vcceive  of  mine  and  show  it  unto  you."  Acts  ii.  -1.  "And  they  were 
all  tilled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  began  to  speak  as  the  Spirit  gave 
them  utterance."  [See  Acts  xv.  28,  and  xvi.  6,  7.]  We  deem  it  un- 
necessary to  multiply  proofs  from  this  and  many  other  texts.  In  the 
hook  of  life  it  is  plainly  manifested  that  unless  the  Holy  Spirit  does 
attend,  and  give  life  to  the  Word  spoken  by  the  ministers  of  the  Gos- 
pel, their  labor  is  in  vain;  and  all  those  who  deny  its  influence  and 
power  upon  them,  while  dispensing  the  Word  of  Truth,  most  un- 
questionably have  no  part  nor  lot  in  this  matter;  and  however  labo- 
rious they  may  be  in  the  exercise  of  their  ministerial  functions,  it 
is  in  evidence  that  the  Lord  has  not  required  this  at  their  hands, 
hut  that  they  are  acting  the  part  of  those  who  would  be  priests  in 
Moses'  time  who  were  not  called  legally  to  the  priesthood.  After 
such  do  all  they  can  their  rods  remain  withered,  parched  and  dry. 
Not  so  with  those  who  preach  under  the  qualifying  influence  of  the 
Spirit,  for  while  they  dispense  the  Word  of  Truth,  the  Word  is  made 
spiritual  food,  and  falis  like  manna  around  the  camps  of  Israel ;  and 
like  Aaron's  rod,  their  labors  are  seen  to  bud  and  bloom,  and  while 
they  pour  forth  in  living  excellence  the  rich  doctrines  of  the  Gospel 
truths,  the  children  of  the  Lord  are  feasted  on  heavenly  delights  ; 
their  hearts  are  made  to  overflow  with  love  to  God,  and  they  are 
made  to  dwell  in  rich  pastures  of  beauteous  and  heavenly  enjoy- 
ments. Their  bosoms  swell  with  the  emotions  of  joy  and  flowing 
tears  bedew  their  eyes,  because  their  souls  have  been  made  glad  by 
the  droppings  of  the  sanctuary,  or  by  the  reception  of  Heavenly  life 
and  love  conveyed  to  their  hearts  by  Gospel  communications  that 
flow  through  the  channel,  prepared  by  the  direction  of  God,  influ- 
enced and  qualified  by  the  direct  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit, — the 
benefits  of  which  does  not  stop  here,  but  worketh  life  into  the  hearts 
of  rebel  sinners,  who  are  dead  in  trespasses  and  in  sins.  This  brings 
us  to  show  more  fully  the  effectual  workings,  and  agency  of  the 
Spirit  on  the  work  of  regeneration  on  the  soul.  That  man  is  spirit- 
ually dead,  we  think  we  have  made  manifest,  and  if  dead  it  is  clear 
that  he  can  never  live  unless  life  is  communicated;  and  if  life  is  to 
be  communicated,  it  is  as  clear  that  there  must  be  a  channel  of  com- 
munication. How  the  death  of  Christ  can  give  a  spark  of  life'to 
those  who  have  never  heard  of  Christ,  and  who  have  never  felt  the 
Working's  of  the  Spirit,  is  a  matter  that  remains  in  mystery  and  is 
not  revealed,  for  there  is  no  channel  through  which  mercy  can  be 
conveyed]  from  God  to  man,  save  that  of  Christ  Jesus  through  a 
knowledge  of  and  by  an  application  of  His  atoning  merits;  for  the 
Scripture  saith,  as  much  as  that  we  cannot  "believe  in  Him  of  whom 
we  have  not  heard."  "And  he  that  believeth  notshall  be  damned." 
Hence,  we  must  know  God  ;  and  the  power  of  knowledge  depends 
on  life,  and  life  depends  upon  an  application  of  the  means  of  grace, 
made  by  the  sanctifying  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  is 
proved  abundantly  in  the  Word  of  God— a  few  of  which  proofs  we 
Mill  here  introduce ;  and  first,  Christ  Himself,  in  His  conversation 
with  Nicodemus,  is  very  much  in  point  where  He  says  [John  iii.  3,] 


•58S  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

"Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  thee,  except  a  man  be  born  again,  he  cats 
not  see  the  Kingdom  of  God."  Nicodemus  marvelled  and  seemed 
to  inquire,  how  born?  and  by  what  means?  The  blessed  Savior 
does  not  tell  the  inquiring  Ruler  that  man,  to  be  able  to  see  the- 
Kingdom  of  God,  must  be  born  of  the  flesh,  or  by  the  works  of  man  r 
nor  by  the  Word  alone,  but  informs  him  that  except  a  man  be  born> 
of  the  Spirit  he  cannot  see  the  Kingdom  of  God ;  for,  says  He,  "that 
which  is  born  of  the  flesh  is  flesh  ;  and  that  which  is  bora  of  the 
Spirit  is  Spirit."  Here  we  see  the  labors  of  the  flesh  are  set  aside  in 
this  case,  and  so  will  be  all  the  hopes  that  depend  and  trust  alone  in> 
an  arm  of  flesh ;  for  the  Savior  further  illustrates  this  matter  by  say- 
ing "that  the  wind  bloweth  where  it  listeth,"  &c,,  by  which  a  com- 
parison is  made  of  the  wind,  to  show  that  man  knows  not  of  any 
cause  in  himself  that  would  influence  this  heavenly  breath  of  life  to- 
come  or  go4;  and  the  very  word  that  it  "bloweth  where  it  listeth," 
seems  to  leave  this  matter  beyond  doubt,  and  proves  that  if  the  cause 
of  spiritual  life  existed  in  us,  that  there  would  be  no  necessity  of 
this  blowing  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  and  also  that  if  life  was  produced 
by  us  without  spiritual  aid,  we  should  know  from  whence  it  cometh. 
But  now  we  know  it  only  at  last  in  partr  for  so,  says  the  Word,  "is 
every  one  that  is  born  of  the  Spirit," 

2d.  Christ,  in  another  place,  says  [John  vi,  63T]  "It  is  the  spirit 
that  quickeneth,  the  flesh  profiteth  nothing,  the  words  that  I  speak, 
unto  you,  they  are  spirit  and  they  are  life."  A  plainer  truth  thau 
the  above  could  not  be  introduced,  coming  as  it  does  from  the  Author 
of  the  whole  plan,  and  who  declares  unequivocally  that  it  isthewpirit 
that  quickeneth.  and  to  quicken,  all  agr>_e,  is  to  make  alive  that 
which  has  no  life.  Hence  we  hope  you  will  keep  this  in  view  while 
we  bring  a  few  corresponding  proofs,  which  are  explained  by  the 
foregoiug  passages.  Also  remember  that  the  flesh  profiteth  nothing, 
but  that  it  is  the  spirit  alone  which  brings  us. 

3d.  To  notice  what  Paul  says  in  his  epistle  to  the  Collossians,  ii. 
15.  "And  you  being  dead  in  your  sins,  hath  he  quickened."  The 
question  here  is,  by  what  means?  Christ  in  the  foregoing  passage 
hath  answered,  "It  is  the  spirit  that  quickeneth."  And  the  same 
Apostle  writing  to  the  Romans  viii.  chapter  gives  us  an  enlarged  ac- 
count of  the  Spirit's  agency  in  the  work  of  spiritual  regeneration, 
for,  says  he,  in  the  second  verse  "that  the  law  of  the  spirit  of  life  in 
Christ  Jesus  hath  made  us  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death."  By 
what  law  of  the  spirit  of  life  ?  This  is  also  illustrated  in  the  above 
quoted  passage.  Is  it  the  spirit  that  quickeneth  and  maketh  alive, 
and  by  its  influence  sets  the  captivated  soul  free  from  the  law  of  sin 
and  death.  And  thus,  by  an  application  of  the  merits  of  Christ, 
restores  itagain  to  the  enjoyment  of  all  the  functions  of  spiritual 
life  and  liberty,  which  is  effected  by  the  word  conveyed  through  its 
proper  channel,  for  Christ  and  His  word  is  one,  the  letter  of  which 
cannot  produce  life,  for,  says  the  same  Apostle,  2d.  Cor.  iii.  6,  "who 
.also  hath  made  us  able  ministers  of  the  New  Testament— not  of  the 
letter,  but  of  the  Spirit,  for  the  letter  killeth,  but  the  Spirit  giveth 


EICGRAFIIICAL  SKETCHES.  537 

life."  And  in  Cor.  xii.  3,  it  is  declared  "that  no  man  can  say  that 
Jesus  is  the  Lord  but  by  the  Holy  Ghost."  And  in  the  succeed ! in- 
verses it  is  stated  that  "there  are  diversities  of  gifts  but  t-ne  same 
Spirit,  and  there  are  diversities  of  operations,  but  it  is  the  sameGod 
which  worketh  in  all ;  for  to  one  is  given  by  the  Spirit  the  word  of 
wisdom,  to  another  the  word  of  knowledge  by  the  same  Spirit,  to 
another  faith  by  the  same  Spirit;  but  all  these  worketh  that  one 
and  the  selfsame  Spirit,  dividingto  every  man  severallyas  he  will  ;  ' 
and  in  the  ii.  8  of  the  same  book,  "eye  hath  not  seen  nor  ear  heard, 
neither  has  it  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  the  things  that  God 
hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  Him,  but  God  hath  revealed  them 
unto  us  by  His  Spirit,  for  the  Spirit  searcheth  all  things  ;  yea,  the 
deep  things  of  God ;  and  11th  verse,  "even  so  the  things  of  God 
knoweth  no  man.  but  the  Spirit  of  God  ;  now  we  have  received,  not 
the  Spirit  of  the  world,  but  theSpirit  which  is  of  God, .that  we  might 
know  the  things  that  are  freely  given  to  us  of  God  ;  but  the  natural 
man  receiveth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit,  for  they  are  foolishness 
to  him  ;  neither  can  he  know  them,  because  they  are  spiritually 
discerned."  Thus  we  see  that  not  only  is  the  quickening  influ- 
ence of  the  Spirit  necessary  to  the  salvation  of  the  soul,  but  the 
teaching  influence  likewise.  See,  in  addition  to  the  above,  John 
xiv.  26  ;  xvi.  7,  8,  and  up  to  the  13th  verse  of  the  same  chapter  ;  and 
see  also  Rom.  viii.  26,  wherein  it  is  said  "that  we  even  know  not 
what  we  should  pray  for,  but  that  the  Spirit  helpeth  our  infirmities 
and  maketh  intercession  for  us  with  groanings  which  cannot  be 
uttered."  Here  we  stop  writing-  down  the  texts  at  length,  deeming 
those  already  written  to  be  sufficient  for  any  whose  minds  are  un- 
prejudiced, to  see  that  our  positions  have  thereby  been  established  ; 
yet  if  any  have  time  and  inclination  to  look  further  into  the  truths 
established  by  the  testimony  of  God,  in  His  Word,  we  refer  them 
to  the  following  texts,  which  are  promiscuously  given,  and  which 
united  to  that  already  said,  will  show  that  by  the  agency  of  the 
Spirit  christians  see,- know,  are  taught,  made  regenerate,  quickened 
and  made  alive  from  their  dead  state  and  saved  from  the  wrath  to 
come,  to  wit :  Rom.  viii.  15,  16  ;  Eph.  i.  13.  14;  Heb.  x.  15,  IS  ;  2nd 
Thess.  i iX  13  ;  1  Cor.  vi.  11  ;  Rom.  xv.  16  ;  Acts  ii.  —  ;  John  iv.  24  . 
1  Peter  v.\s;  Rom.  i.  4 ;  1  Cor.  xv.  40;  1  Peter  i.  2;  Ps.  Ii.,  from  1(1 
to  12  ;  Ps.  Axliii.  10  ;  2d  Tim.  i.  7;  2d  Cor.  iv.  13  ;  Ezek.  xii.  10  ;  1st 
Pet.  iv.  4  ;  Ezek.  i.  20  ;  John  vii.  59  ;  Prov.  i,  23  ;  Acts  i.  8  ;  Acts  xi. 
12;  Gen.  yi.  3  ;  Eph.  iv.  30;  Isa.  vi.  3-10 ;  Acts  vii.  51,  We  have 
given  the  foregoing  references  because  our  limits  will  not  permit  us 
to  set  down  the  texts  at  length,  connected  with  the  reasons  above 
mentioned,  which  united  to  those  passages  above  set  forth,  with 
many  others  to  which  your  attention  might  be  called,  show  conclu- 
sively to  our  mind  the  necessity  of  the  agency  of  the  Spirit  in  the 
work  of  regeneration  on  the  soul ;  for  therein  it  is  declared  that  the 
Spirit  giveth  life  and  openeth  the  eyes  of  the  blind — the  teaching- 
influence  of  which  enables  us  to  see  the  necessity  of  a  Savior's  blood, 
gives  us  knowledge  of  God's  dealings  toward  us,  and  the  depraved 
68 


533  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

condition  of  our  sinful  hearts,  discovers  to  us  the  way  to  the  city  of 
refuge— helpeth  our  infirmities,  and  euableth  us  to  exercise  all  the 
powers  that  depend  upon  a  state  of  life,  by  which  we  are  enabled  to 
flee  to  the  bosom  of  our  adorable  Savior  for  safety  from  the  evils  that 
surround  us;  beareth  witness  with  our  spirits  that  we  are  born  of  God, 
and  children;  and  if  children,  then  heirs  and  joint  heirs  with  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  finally  seals  us  such  until  the  redemption  of  the 
purchased  possession.  We  wind  up  our  testimony  and  remarks, 
Lear  Brethren",  upon  the  foregoing  interesting  subject,  by  asking 
you  to  take  an  impartial  and  thankful  review  of  the  facts  set  forth 
in  this,  our  letter,  and  what  great  things,  by  the  Spirit's  agency,  are 
communicated  to  the  suffering  condition  of  man  ;  and  first,  behold! 
and  see  in  every  land  and  in  every  age  what  great  companies  have 
been  unifpd  to  each  other  by  the  tenderest  endearments,  have  joined 
hand-in-hand  and  heart-to-heart  in  their  endeavors  to  advance  the 
progress  of  spiritual  life  and  faith,  being  themselves  possessed  of  a 
faith  that  worked  by  love  and  purified  the  heart !  See  the  labors  of 
the  christian  world  all  pointing  to  the  same  great  end  and  uniting 
to  save  their  fellow-men  from,  ruin  and  misery  !  Watchmen  or  min- 
isters, denying  themselves  the  enjoyments  of  this  present  world, 
traveling  under  a  load  of  sorrow,  and  meeting  death  in  all  its  varied 
features  with  undaunted  firmness,  mark  their  Heavenly  walk  while 
they  pour  forth  in  beauteous  streams  the  waters  of  God's  grace  into 
the  hearts  of  thirsty  sinners.  See  christians  all  uniting  and  bearing 
their  respective  burthens  and  sorrows  while  they  labor  with  unceas- 
ing desire  in  the  general  cause  ;  see  all  together  pouring  forth  their 
souls  in  prayer  to  God,  which  rises  beore  His  heavenly  throne  and 
fills  the  Golden  Censer  with  sweetest  incense,  the  odor  of  which  de- 
lights the  Almighty  Ru'er  of  the  Universe  and  suspends  the  thun- 
derbolts of  His  wrath  from  falling  on  this  guilty  world  !  See  those 
lovely  companies  all  uniting  in  fellowship  and  love,  one  for  another, 
and  breathing  the  very  essence  of  love  from  and  towards  their  God, 
and  by  their  labors  and  prayers  and  intercessions  with  their  Great 
Redeemer  at  their  head,  wresting  their  fellow-man  from  the  dark 
abodes  of  death  and  hell !  Ask  yourselves  from  whence  cometh  this 
unity  of  action,  this  success  of  purpose,  this  brotheriy  love  and  fel- 
lowship, and  love  to  God,  and  you  are  met  by  the  declarations  of 
holy  writ — that  it  is  produced  by  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit;  for 
the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love,  and  love  brings  into  action  and  effects 
all  the  good  works  above  named. 

But  list !  O,  list !  what  voice  is  this  salutes  the  ear,  and  echoes 
in  harmonious  songs  of  delight  from  many  a  tongue  of  all  nations? 
Tongues  and  kindreds  under  the  whole  heaven  ?  Hear,  this  song- 
begin  on  earth  in  living  strains  of  harmonious  and  melodious  exulta- 
tion, which  comes  in  shouts  from  rich,  from  poor,  from  wise,  from 
simple— that  rejoices  the  heart  in  life's  fairest  scenes  and  drives  the 
clouds  of  gloom  from  affliction's  path ;  that  gives  rest  to  the  weary 
pilgrims'  feet,  and  spreads  a  downy  pillow  for  the  head  of  a  dying- 
believer;  that  passes  the  weary  soul  over  the  highest  wave  of  Jor- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  539 

dan's  stream  with  glad  acclaim.  Yea,  look  higher  still  :  lift  your 
enraptured  vision  to  yonder  amazing  heights  of  dazzling  bliss,  where 
loud  hosannas  and  acclamations  roll  unceasing  through  ages  yet  to 
come,  and  echoes  through  the  fields  of  immortal  love,  which  fills 
the  eternity  of  heaven's  high  dume  with  endless  delights  and  crowns 
of  glory,  and  then  say,  O  !.  say,  to  what  Scion  or  Holy  Tree  are  we 
indebted  for  this  rich  abundance  and  sweet  clusters  of  joy,  and  then 
remember  what  the  Scriptures  saith — that  joy  is  the  fruit  of  the 
Spirit. 

Mark  again  the  troubled  ocean  of  man's  soul,  like  lashing  waves 
throwing  up  mire  and  dirt,  darkened  by  the  thick  clouds  of  sin, 
which  brings  the  tempest  of  God's  displeasure  trembling  and  ago- 
nizing in  view  of  Sinai's  mountain  that  burns  with  sulphurous  fire, 
and  shocked  by  the  awful  peals  of  thunder,  louder  and  louder  still, 
while  the  lightnings  glare  that  burns  with  wrath,  makes  the  ap- 
proaching storm  more  gloomy  and  awful  still.  Look  again  and  see 
the  billows  cease  to  roll,  the  clouds  brushed  all  away,  the  stormy 
thunders  roar  and  the  lightning's  glare  stilled  into  a  holy,  pure  and 
heavenly  calm,  the  sunshine  of  truth  beaming  light  and  love,  and 
dazzling  the  whole  landscape  of  man's  existence  with  stillness  and 
lasting  peace.  Rise  higher  still  and  see  that  peace  flow  like  a  river 
in  its  gentle  course  and  wafting  the  delighted  soul  beyond  the  reach 
of  the  turbulent  waves  of  sin  and  death,  and  ending  in  everlasting 
peace;  and  wonder  still,  when  you  hear  the  voice  of  Holy  Writ  say, 
peace  is  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit,  and  from  the  same  sacred  fount  flow 
in  streams  of  living  excellence,  good  works,  gentleness,  kindness, 
meekness,  &c.  And  when  you  have  taken  notice  of  all  the  things 
above  set  forth,  ask  yourselves  what  man  would  do  if  all  these  glori  ■ 
bus  hopes  were  lost?  and  lost  they  most  assuredly  will  be  if  the  Holy 
Spirit  does  not  lend  its  heavenly  aid  in  the  regeneration  and  salva- 
tion of  the  souls  of  men  from  the  deep  abyss  of  sin  and  sorrow  into 
which  they  have  plunged  themselves.  And  how  debased  and  mel- 
ancholy is  that  existence  in  whom  the  Spirit  does  not  dwell !  There 
is  seen  no  love  to  God,  no  holy  love  for  friend  or  foe,  no  lasting  joy 
or  lasting  peace,  but  there  the  foul  passions  reign  and  sink  the  soul 
into  endless  death  and  misery  ! 

And,  dear  brethren  in  the  Lord,  we  have  not  in  the  foregoing 
letter  peen  able  to  set  before  you  half  the  facts  to  which  your  atten- 
tion might  have  been  directed.  We  might,  if  limits  would  have 
permitted,  have  drawn  your  minds  to  some  very  sublime  and  phil- 
osophical views  that  exist  in  Nature's  Book,  by  which  views  reason 
might  have  been  assisted,  and  the  judgment  informed,  by  walking 
through  the  paths  of  nature  to  nature's  God,  and  drawing  inferences 
both  positive  and  circumstancial,  which  would  have  been  of  a  char- 
acter strengthening,  at  least,  to  the  positions  and  proofs  taken  and 
brought  forward  in  this  our  letter,  which  has  brought  us  to  the  con- 
clusions to  which  said  positions,  proofs,  arguments  and  facts  have 
landed  us.  We  think,  however,  that  we  have  said  enough  fo  con- 
vince you  that  the  well  being  of  the  people  of  God,  and  harmony 


£40'  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

and  fellowship  of  the  churches,  as  well  as  quickening  grace,  depends 
upon  the  indwelling  of  the  Spirit  of  God  in  the  hearts  of  the  breth- 
ren, ivithout  whose  assistance  every  Gospel  preacher  Knows  he  can 
not  preach, — while  every  true  christian  must  feel  from  experience 
»  long  felt  and  known,  that  spiritual  life,  light,  love,  grace  and  joy 
depends  upon  the  reception  of  this  holy  and  heavenly  fire  ;  and  to 
such  we  need  not  argue  long  upon  points  which  their  own  feelings 
have  proven.  But  Oh,  brethren,  how  ought  our  souls  to  be  drawn 
out  to  God  in  prayer,  while  we  cling  with  jealous  and  anxious  solic- 
itude around  this  our  only  hope  of  life,  that  He  would,  for  His  great 
name's  sake  revive,  by  His  Holy  Spirit  the  drooping  state  of  Zion  ! 
that  He  would  send  or  revive  the  Heavenly  flame  in  every  heart, 
and  be  with  and  aid  His  ministers  in  their  holy  but  laborious  task, 
and  fill  our  souls  again  with  delightful  praises  and  thankfulness  to 
God  ;  and  in  this  we  should  be  encouraged  when  we  remember  that 
the  promise  is  that  if  you  lack,  ask  of  God,  and  the  glorious  Re- 
deemer has  promised  that  if  we  ask,  it  shall  be  given  ;  and  many  other 
like  promises  are  left  us  for  our  encouragement. 

Dear  Brethren,  pray  therefore  without  ceasing,  and  remember 
too,  at  a  throne  of  grace,  the  poor,  misguided  souls  that  have  never 
tasted  that  life  and  delight  given  by  the  Holy  Spirit's  aid  ;  for  most 
assuredlj*,  if  the  Scriptures  be  true — and  our  own  experience  has  not 
lied — all  such,  however  wise,  laborious,  or  however  much  they  may 
feel  disposed  to  laugh  at  the  doctrine  of  the  Holy  Spirit's  assistance 
and  workings  upon  the  immortal  souls  of  men  and  women  ;  and 
however,  much  they  may  have  trusted  to  theirown  moral  excellence, 
yet  when  the  great  day  of  the  wrath  of  God  is  come,  they  will  find 
to  their  everlasting  shame  and  confusion  that  without  it  they  will 
he  like  the  boasting  Pharisee,  and  will  be  utterly  unable  to  stand  the 
fiery  indignation  of  His  avenging  stroke,  but  must  sink  in  hopeless 
ruin  down  to  the  abodes  of  everlasting  sorrow,  where  the  worm  dieth  ' 
not,  and  the  fire  is  not  quenched.  And  further,  brethren,  let  us  en- 
deavor to  sing  with  the  Spirit,  pray  with  the  Spirit,  praise  with  the 
Spirit,  live  in  love,  peace  and  joy.  And  may  the  God  of  peace  by 
His  Holy  Spirit  seal  instruction  to  your  every  mind. 

James  M.  Webb. 
October  16th,  1837. 


Webb,  Elder  Alfred  was  born  in  Rutheford  county 
about  1800  of  wealthy  parents,  but  enjoyed  only  common 
.school  advantages,  working  on  a  farm  until  he  attained  to 
the  age  of  manhood.  He  was  doubtless  a  "chosen  vessel," 
and  directed  by  the  Spirit  to  attend  the  ministration  of  the 
Word  by  those  eminent  servants  of  God  Dobbins  and  Hicks, 
the  result  was,  he  was  converted  and  baptized  into  the  fel- 
lowship of  the  church  at  Concord,  near  the  home  of  his 
youth.  Some  short  time  afterward  he  felt  impressed  to 
speak  a  word  for  the  Master,  and    the  church    licensed  him 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  5*1 

fo  do  so  about  the  year  1822.  The  next  year  he  was  chosen 
to  represent  the  church  as  one  of  her  delegates  at  the  session 
of  l he  Broad  River  Association  hekl  at  Reedy  River  church, 
<Greenville  county,  S.  C.  And  the  Minutes  show  that  he 
tilled  the  appointment,  and  was  marked  as  a  licentiate.  A 
short  time  after  this  session  of  the  Association  he  was  or- 
dained by  a  presbytery  to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel  min- 
istry, probably  in  1824,  for  he  appears  in  the  Minutes  of  that 
vea'r  as  a  delegate  and  ordained  minister  from  Concord.  lit 
1825,  Ebenezer  church  was  constituted,  and  admitted  into 
the  Broad  River  body,  and  Elder  Webb  became  a  member  and 
pastor  of  said  church,  and  was  chosen  with  Aaron  Bigger- 
staff  and  Williamson  Fortune  its  representatives  in  the  ses- , 
sion  of  that  year  (1826)  and  1827.  In  the  latter  year  Ebene- 
zer with  several  other  churches  were  dismissed  to  aid  in  the 
formation  of  the  Catawba  River  Association,  and  Elder 
Webb  was  consequently  separated  from  the  Broad  River 
body,  and  he  continued  his  new  relationship  until  sometime 
after  the  year  1836,  when  he  emigrated  to  the  State  of 
Georgia,  And  after  connecting  himself  with  the  Georgia 
Baptists  in  the  Stare  of  his  adoption,  we  are  informed  he  at 
■once  set  about  improving  a  defective  education,  in  which  un- 
dertaking he  succeeded  admirably,  and  soon  'mastered  the 
Hebrew  and  Greek  languages,  besides  taking  a  course  of 
theoligical  studies.  By  which  means  he  became  much  more 
■efficient  in  the  ministration  of  tiie  Word,  and  was  consid- 
ered an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament  wherever  he 
labored.  We  heard  Elder  Webb  preach  at  Zion  church  in 
1836,  then  a  messenger  from  the  Catawba  River  Association 
to  the  Broad  River,  and  the  last  session  that  he  ever  attended 
of  that  body.  We  considered  him  an  able  minister  at  that 
time,  and  very  attractive  in  his  manner  and  gestures.  He 
was  a  fine  looking  man,  rather  above  the  ordinary  s'.ze,  in- 
ch ning\somewhat  to  corpulency,  large  chest,  massive  head 
and  stentorian  vioce,  and  very  commanding  in  his  general 
itppearanee. 


Whitten,  Brother  James  was  a  member  of  Cross 
Roads  church,  and  joined  the  Broad  River  Association  in 
1823,  he  was  then  a  layman.  Soon  after  this  session  of  the 
body  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  and  again  chosen  by  Cross 
Roads  to  represent  the  church  in  the  session  of  the  Association 
in  1824  and  1825.  He  aoneared  in  the  associate  body  these 
years,  as  the  Minutes  show,  as  a  licentiate.  He  was  elected 
clerk  ot  the  Association  in  1823.  After  this  we  lose  sight 
of  brother  Whitten  in  the  Minutes.  "We  do  not  find  j»ny  where 


542'  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHED 

that  he  was  ever  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry 
while  a  member  of  the  Broad  River  Association.  He  prob- 
ably removed  to  some  other  field  of  labor. 


Webb,  Elder  George  Milton  was-  bom  November  14^ 
1831,  in  Rutherford  county,  N.  C.  Was  converted  in  early 
life  and  baptized  by  Elder  J.  M.  Webb  in>to  the  fellowship* 
of  the  Concord  church  in  1844.  In  1850  he  married  Miss- 
Priscilla  J.  Blauton,  a  lady  every  way  worthy  of  him,  and 
they  entered  upon  the  toils  of  life  with  buoyant  hopes  of" 
success  in  the  career  of  life.  In  1857  (his  church  having: 
joined  the  King's  Mountain  Association  in  1856)  he  appear- 
ed in  the  Association  as  a  lay  delegate,  and  then  again  in. 
the  sessions  of  1858-'59-'61.  In  1863  he  was  licensed  by 
the  Concord  church  to  preach,  and  appeared  in  the  associate: 
body  as  a  delegate  and  licentiate.  He  was  ordained  to  the- 
full  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry  in  1864,  and  again  ap- 
peared in  the  Association  as  a  delegate  at  that  session.  We 
believe  he  has  attended  all  the  sessions  of  the  Association 
since,  and  in  1867-'68-'69-'70-'71  and  '72  he  was  elected 
clerk  of  the  body.  And  the  Circular  Letter,  addressed  to- 
the  churches  in  union  on  the  Design  of  Baptism,  and  adopted 
in  1869,  was  from  his  pen,  which  we  reproduce  in  this  work. 

Elder  G.  M.  Webb  is  a  son  of  the  lamented  James  Ml 
Webb,  deceased,  and  in  person  resembles  his  parent  very 
much.  He  has  been  pastor  of  several  of  the  King's  Moun- 
tain churches,  namely  ;  Buffalo,  Pleasant  Hill,  Capernaum 
and  others,  and  has  preached  for  four  churches  every  year 
since  his  ordination,  and  appears  to  be  a  popular  pastor  with 
his  several  flocks.  Like  a  large  number  of  Baptist  preach- 
ers, Bro.  Webb  has  to  labor  under  the  disadvantages  of  a 
defective  education  ;  he  is,  however,  a  close  student  of  Bib- 
lical theology,  around  his  own  hearth-stones  at  home,  and 
to  a  great  extent  has  overcome  the  seeming  impediment. 
He  has  a  good  flow  of  language,  and  considerable  back-bone 
or  nerve-power,  which  enables  him  to  contend  earnestly  for 
the  form  of  sound  words.  And  feeling  that  he  is  armed 
"with  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,"  he  does  not  quail  at  the 
giants  of  Gath,  but  without  dismay  moves  straight  along, 
using  only  the  smooth  stones  of  the  Gospel  from  the  fragile 
sling  with  which  nature  has  endowed  him.  No  one,  how- 
ever, more  than  he,  is  more  sensible  of  the  fatal  consequences 
of  the  great  lack  of  early  literary  training,  and  he  is  a 
strong  advocate  of  ministerial  education.  He  is  also  a  fast 
friend  of  Missions  and  Sabbath-schools,  together  with  all 
the    various   appliances  put  on  foot  for  the  furtherance  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  5iS 

tfhe  'Gospel  of  Christ.     He  has  baptized   abaut  §00  persons 
linto  the  fellowship  of  the  churches, 

CIRCULAR  LETTER. 

The  King's  Mountain  JSqptist  Association — To  the  Churches  in  Union 

— Greeting: 

Dear  Brethren: — According  to  an  appointment  it  becomes  our 
•duty  to  address  you,  by  way  of  a  Circular  Letter,  on  the  Design  of 
Haptism,  and  for  a  foundation  we  have  selected  from  the  word  of 
•God  this  text:  "For  as  many  of  you  as  have  been  baptized  into 
Christ  have  put  on  Christ."  (Gal.  iii  :  27.) 

These  words  seems  to  us  appropriate  to  the  occasion.  The  As>- 
■sociation  is  made  up  of  just  such  persons  as  are  here  referred  to — per- 
sons who  have  been  baptized  into  Christ,  and  the  churches  they 
-represent  are  composed  in  like  manner  of  just  such  persons  as  have 
put  on  Christ  by  being  baptized  in  His  name.  Our  object  in  writing 
ou  this  subject  is,  that  we  may  consider  the  nature  and  obligations 
of  the  christian  profession,  remembering  that  we  Were  baptized  into 
Christ.  The  general  design  of  baptism  is  a  public  and  formal  profes- 
sion of  the  Christian  religion.  We  are  baptized  into  Christ ;  in  bap- 
tism we  publicly  acknowledge  Jesus  as  the  Messiah,  our  Lord  and 
Savior,  and  declare  ourselves  His  followers.  It  is  a  symbolic  act  by 
which  we  profess  discipleship  to  Jesus  Christ,  aud  engage  to  receive 
His  doctrines.  Of  similar  import  is  the  expression,  "baptized  in  the 
name  of  Christ."  The  eager  inquirers,  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  were 
■directed  to  repent  and  be  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ;  the 
Samaritans,  believing,  were  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  Their  baptism  was  a  public  acknowledgement  of  the  medi- 
atorial character  and  walk  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  that  is,  as  the 
adherents,  the  disciples,  the  followers  of  Jesus  Christ.  That  this  is 
the  design  of  baptism  is  evident  from  the  commission  :  "Go  teach  all 
nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  rton, 
and  of  ihe  Holy  Ghost."  Go  teach,  make  disciples.  The  Apostles 
were  to  preach  the  Gospel,  and  in  that  way  make  disciples  to  Christ; 
then  thejy  were  to  baptize  them,  that  they  might  be  publicly  known 
as  disciples.  It  is  certain  that  the  Apostles  so  understood  the  com- 
mission; for  they  baptized  none  but  those  thev  had  first  made  disci- 

y  -  .        .  -'  i 

pjes  to  Jesus  Christ,  in  precise  accordance  with  the  instructions 
they  had  received  from  their  Master.  "Go  makedisciples,  baptizing 
them,"  &c.  In  the  beginning  of  the  Gospel  dispensation  a  consent 
to  be  baptized  was  regarded  as  a  reception  and  an  acknowledgement 
of  Jesus'  Messiahship,  and  a  refusal  to  be  baptized  was  regarded  as 
a  rejection  of  the  Gospel,  and  a  denial  of  His  Messiah  ;  for  it  is  said, 
<lall  the  people  that  heard  him,  and  the  publicans  justified  God, 
being  baptized  with  the  baptism  of  John,  but  the  Pharisees  and  law- 
yers rejected  the  counsel  of  God  against)  themselves,  riot  being  bap- 
tized." [Luke  vii.  29,  30.] 

We  will  now  notice  the  latter  clause  of  the  text  :  "As  many  of 
you  as  have  been  baptized  into  Christ  have  put  tin  Christ."  The 
same  expression  occurs  in  Romans:  "But  put  ye  on  the  Lord  Jesus 


5i4  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Christ,  and  make  no  provision  for  the  flesh."  So  to  put  on  Christ 
is  to  take  Him  as  our  teacher,  our  guide,  our  governor  and  our 
Savior.  We  put  on  Christ  externally  when  we  follow  Him  into  the 
baptismal  water;  ''for  as  many  of  you  as  have  been  baptized  into 
Christ,  have  put  on  Christ  "  Since  baptism  is  designed  to  be  the 
badge  of  our  public  profession  of  Christianity,  it  forms  the  visible 
boundary  between  the  church  and  the  world  :  "for  except  a  man  be 
born  of  water  and  of  the  spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the.  Kingdom, 
of  God."  [John  iii.  5.]  By  the  expression,  "born  of  water,*'  is  gen- 
erally  understood  the  visible  kingdom  or  Church  of  Christ  upon  the 
earth.  For  admission  to  this  Kingdom  the  Savior  here  demands- 
two  prerequisites — to  be  born  of  water,  and  to  be  born  of  the  Spirit. 
No  one  is  a  fit  subject  for  church  membership  until  he  is  born  of  the 
Spirit  —until  he  is  baptized  or  born  of  water.  Hence  it' follows  that 
baptism  is  a  solemn,  public,  formal  profession  of  Christianity.  It  is*. 
the  initiation  by  which  we  are  admitted  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
church,  the  act  by  which  we  assume  the  christian  name — the  badge 
of  our  discipleship  to  Christ.  But  this  general  design  includes  a 
number  of  particulars.  Christianity  consists  of  doctrines  to  be  re- 
ceived, emotions  to  be  felt,  precepts  to  be  practiced,  and  promises  to- 
be  trusted.  In  baptism  we  declare  our  belief  in  its  doctrines,  our 
experience  of  its  emotions,  our  obedience  to  its  precepts,  our  reliance 
upoo  its  promises.  Baptism  is  also  an  acknowledgement  of  our  sin- 
fulness. The  religion  of  Christ  is  a  religion  for  sinners  ;  "they  that 
are  whole  need  not  a  physician,  but  they  that  are  sick.  Christ  came 
not  to  call  the  righteous  but  sinners  to  repentance."  The  ordinances 
administered  by  John  contemplated  its  subjects  as  sinners.  "John 
did  baptize  in  the  wilderness  and  preach  the  baptism  of  repentance 
for  the  remission  of  sins.  ■  Then  went  out  unto  him  Jerusalem  and 
all  Judea,  and  all  region  round  about  Jordan,  and  were  baptized  of 
him  in  Jordan,  confessing  their  sins."  [Mark  i.  4,  5.]  Those  bap- 
tized by  the  Apostles,  as  well  as  those  baptized  by  John,  were  sup- 
posed to  be  penitent  sinners,  deeply  impressed  with  a  sense  of  their 
guilt.  Those  baptized  on  the  day  of  pentecost,.  were  the  subjects  of 
pungent  and  powerful  conviction.  They  said  unto  Peter  and  the 
rest  of  the  Apostles,  "Men  aud  brethren,  what  shall  we  do?"  Then 
Peter  said  unto  them  "Repent  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you  in 
the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  for  the  remission  of  sin,  and  ye  shall  re- 
ceive the  fdft  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  It  is  clear  that  the  Ap  istles  ad- 
mit none  to  baptism  but  such  as  declare  themselves  peniteut  sinners 
Saul  felt  himself  a  sinner,  when,  trembling  and  astonished,  he  said  : 
"Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  ?"  Ananias  thought  Saul  a 
penitent  sinner  when  he  said,  "Arise,  and  be  baptized,  and  wa*>h 
away  thy  sins,  calling  on  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

Again,  baptism  is  a  declaration  of  our  faith  in  Christ.  It  is  said 
"John  verily  baptized  with  the  baptism  of  repentance,  saying  unto 
the  people  that  they  should  believe  on  Him  that  should  come  after 
Him;"  that  is,  on  Jesus  Christ.  The  terms  of  the  commission  is, 
"Go   ye  into  all  the  world  and  i  reach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature  ; 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  545 

he  that  believeth  and  is  baptized,  shall  be  saved."  In  every  case 
of  baptism  mentioned,  as  performed  by  the  Apostles,  it  is  expressly 
affirmed  or  plainly  intimated  that  the  subjects  declared  themselves 
believers  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Philip  taught  the  Eunuch  that 
he  must  believe  with  all  his  heart  before  he  was  a  fit  subject  for  bap- 
tism. The  Samaritans,  when  they  believed  in  Jesus  Christ,  were 
baptized,  both  men  and  women.  Cryspus,  whom  Paul  baptized, 
believed  in  the  Lord  with  all  his  house.  And  many  of  the  Corinth- 
ians, hearing,  believed,  and  were  baptized. 

From  all  this  it  is  plain  that  the  design  of  baptism  is  a  public 
declaration  of  our  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  the  bun  of  God 
and  Savior  of  sinners.  Again,  faith  in  Christ  implies  faith  iu  all  the 
facts  of  the  Gospel — are  most  strikingly  symbolized  in  the  ordinance 
of  baptism.  The  most  prominent  of  these  facts  are  the  death  and 
resurrection  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  "He  was  delivered  for  our 
offences  and  raised  again  for  our  justification."  'Tf  Christ  be  not 
raised  from  the  dead,  then  is  our  preaching  vain,  and  your  faith  is 
also  vain."  In  our  baptism  we  declare  our  faith  in  the  death  and 
resurrection  of  the  Savior,  and  all  those  glorious  doctrines  connected 
with  these  great  facts.  How  significantly  are  they  set  forth  in  this 
holy  ordinance  :  "Know  ye  not  that  so  many  of  us  as  were  baptized 
unto  Christ  were  baptized  unto  His  death  ;  therefore  we  are  buried 
with  Him  in  baptism  unto  death,  that  like  as  Christ  was  raised  from 
the  dead  by  the  glory  of  the  Father,  even  so  we  also  should  walk  in 
newness  of  life.  "k(Rom.  vi.  3,  4.) 

Peter,  speaking  of  the  family  of  Noah  saved  by  water,  says: 
"The  like  figure  whereuuto  even  baptism  doth  also  now  save  us  (not 
the  putting  away  of  the  filth  of  the  flesh,  but  the  answer  of  a  good 
conscience  towards  God)  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ."  Bap- 
tism is  symbolic  of  His  resurrection  ;  hence,  as  Noah  was  saved  by 
water,  we,  in  a  figure,  are  saved  by  baptism.  In  baptism  we  declare 
not  only  our  faith  in  the  fact  of  Christ's  resurrection,  but  also  in  the 
doctrine  of  the  general  resurrection.  In  commemorating  the  resur- 
rection of  the  Savior,  we  anticipate  our  own.  Some  of  the  Corinthi- 
ans denied  the  doctrine  of  the  resurrection,  in  proof  of  which  Paul 
jvppealed  to  their  own  baptism,  and  says  :  "Else  what  shall  they  do. 
who  are  baptized  for  the  dead,  if  the  dead  rise  not  at  all  ?  Why  are 
they  then  ba2)tized  for  the  dead  ?"  (1  Cor.  xv.  29.)  The  point  of  the 
argument  is  this  :  if  there  be  no  resurrection  of  the  dead,  why  is  our 
resurrection  symbolized  in  the  ordinance  of  baptism?  Why  are  we 
required  to  perform  an  act  which  so  strikingly  sets  forth  the  death 
and  resurrection  of  the  body  ?  If  there  is  to  be  no  resurrection  of 
the  body,  why  are  we  buried  with  Christ  in  baptism,  if  we  are  not 
with  Him  to  be  raised  from  the  dead  ?  "If  we  have  been  planted 
together  in  the  likeness  of  His  death,  we  shall  be  also  in  the  likeness 
of  His  resurrection.  (Rom.  vi.  5.)  We  declare  this  by  being  buried 
in  water,  and  raised  from  the  liquid  grave.  "Likewise  reckon  ye 
also  yourselves  to  be  "buried  with  Him  in  baptism,  wherein  ye  are 
raised  with  Him  through  the  faith  of  the  operation  of  God,  who  hath 
69 


546  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

raised  Him  from  the  dead."  From  all  this  it  is  plain  that  baptism 
is  a  metaphor,  not  only  of  the  death,  burial  and  resurrection  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  also  of  the  burial  and  resurrection  of  our  own 
bodies.  Baptism  is  also  spoken  of  as  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience 
towards  God.  (1  Peter  iii.  4.)  In  its  observance  we  profess  to  be  at 
peace  with  God — to  have  our  conscience  void  of  offence,  both  toward 
God  and  man.  Again,  baptism  is  a  pledge  of  our  allegiance  and 
fidelity  to  Jesus  Christ,  Believers  are  the  property  of  Him — they 
belong  to  Him  ;  they  are  His  by  purchase.  He  has  bought  them. 
"What,  know  ye  not  that  ye  are  not  your  own  ?  for  ye  are  bought 
with  a  price."  (1  Cor.  vi.  19,  20.)  In  our  baptism  we  acknowledge 
the  right  of  Jesus  Christ  in  us,  and  convey  ourselves  to  Him  as  His 
property.  When  a  piece  of  property  is  sold  and  the  price  paid,  the 
purchaser  is  entitled  to  a  bill  of  sale,  or  a  deed  conveying  the  right 
and  title  of  the  property  to  him.  The  believer  executes  such  a  deed 
when  he  is  baptized.  He  then  publicly  declares  that  he  by  pur- 
chase belongs  to  Jesus  Christ,  and  surrenders  himself  to  his  rightful 
owner.  Believers  are  the  servants  of  Christ — under  the  Mosaic  dis- 
pensation, when  a  person  purchased  a  Hebrew  servant  it  was  the 
custom  of  the  servant  to  have  his  ear  bored  in  token  of  fidelity  to  his 
master.  (Ex.  xxi,  6.)  In  our  baptism  we  acknowledge  Christ  as  our 
master,  we  pledge  ourselves  as  His  obedient  and  faithful  servants. 

Again,  believers  are  the  subjects  of  Christ.  He  is  their  Sover- 
eign Ruler.  When  a  foreigner  emigrates  to  this  country,  and  pro- 
poses to  live  under  our  government  and  laws,  he  must  first  take  the 
oath  of  allegiance  before  he  is  entitled  to  citizenship.  His  oath  does 
hot  change  his  character,  but  it  changes  his  relationship,  and  enti- 
tles him  to  privileges,  which  otherwise  he  could  not  enjoy.  So  in 
our  baptism,  it  is  our  oath  of  allegiance  to  Jesus  Christ,  as  Head  of 
the  Church,  King  in  Zion,  Spiritual  Lord  and  Ruler  in  the  new  cre- 
ation. When  a  sinner  is  renewed  by  grace,  and  made  nigh  by  the 
blood  of  Christ,  it  is  expected  and  required  that  he  come  out  from 
among  the  wprld  and  be  separate,  and  make  it  manifest  by  taking 
the  oath  of  loyalty  to  Christ.  This  is  done  in  baptism;  by  it  we  be- 
come visibly  the  subjects  of  Christ's  kingdom.  Clearly  this  is  the  de- 
sign of  baptism,  it  is  a  solemn  pledge  of  our  attachment,  our  allegi- 
ance, our  fidelity  to  Jesus  Christ,  as  our  owner,  our  master,  our 
husband  and  our  sovereign.  Baptism,  as  we  have  seen  all  along,xis 
declarative  and  emblematic.  We  are  born  of  water  to  declare  the 
fact  that  we  have  been  born  of  the  Spirit.  Our  bodies  are  washed  in 
the  water  of  baptism  to  signify  that  our  souls  are  washed  and  cleansed 
in  the  blood  of  Christ.  Our  sins  are  said  to  be  remitted  in  baptism. 
because  in  that  act  we  declare  our  reliance  for  pardon  upon  the 
atoning  merits  of  the  Son  of  God.  We  are  buried  in  the  water  of 
baptism,  and  raised  again  from  the  water,  to  signify  that  whilst  our 
bodies  are  to  die,  they  are,  nevertheless,  to  be  raised  out  of  the  grave. 
1  Again,  our  baptism  is  not  the  ground  of  our  hope,  not  by  any 
means,  but  it  a  most  beautiful  and  impressive  representation  of  the 
true,  and  only  ground  of  hope,  which  is  based  on  the  death  aud  res- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  547 

urreeiiou  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We  think  brethren,  we  have 
exhibited  the  Scriptural  view  of  the  design  of  baptism..  It  is  a  form- 
al and  practical  profession  of  the  Christian  Religion.  That  is  to 
say,  "it  is  an  acknowledgement  of  our  sinfulness,  a  declaration  of 
faith,  a  profession  of  repentance,  a  pledge  of  our  obedience,  an  ex- 
pression of  our  hope.  In  attending  to  tiie  ordinance  of  baptism,  it 
is  important  that  it  be  so  observed  as  that  its  design  shall  be  an- 
swered, its  entire  significancy  be  preserved,  its  full  meaning  be 
clearly  and  exactly  set  forth.  As  well  neglect  it  altogether,  as  to 
change  its  form  or  apply  it  to  those  to  whom  it  does  not  properly 
belong,  or  in  any  way  pervert  its  design.  The  design  of  the  ordi- 
nance is  not  answered  when  it  is  applied  to  an  infant,  for  the  simple 
reason  that  infants  are  incapable  of  making  the  profession  which 
baptism  supposes.  How  can  an  infant  believe — how  can  such  walk 
in  newness  of  life— how  can  an  infant  repent  and  exercise  faith  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ?  These  are  things  they  have  not  ability  to  do, 
and  consequently,  cannot  perform.  Baptism  is  described  as  being 
the  answer  of  a  good  conscience  toward  God.  Is  it  so  to  an  infant 
child  ?  To  them  it  is  neither  the  answer  of  a  good  nor  an  evil  con- 
science, their  consciences  have  nothing  to  do  with  it.  Its  design  is 
not  answered  when  the  rite  is  applied  to  unconverted  persons, 
whether  infants  or  adults.  Only  such  as  give  evidence  of  having 
embraced  the  gospel  are  fit  subjects  for  baptism. 

May  this  important  matter  be  duly  weighed  and  considered  by 
all  professors  of  the  christian  religion,  and  may  the  blessings  of  God 
attend  their  researches,  and  enable  them  to  see  the  truth  as  it  is  set 
forth  in  the  Scriptures  of  eternal  truth! 

Fraternally,  G.  M.  Webb. 

Sept.  27th,  1S69. 


"Wjlkie,  Elder  George  appears  in  the  Broad  River 
Association  first  in  the  session  of  1816,  at  Buffalo  church,  as 
undelegate  from  Antioch  church  in  York  countv,  S.  C.  He 
was  then  an  ordained  Minister.  He  was  chosen  pastor  of 
Antioch  church,  and  continued  to  represent  the  church  in 
the  Association  annually  until  the  session  of  1837.  About 
that  time  he  became  hetorodox  in  the  faith,  advancing  what 
was  termed  free-will  ideas.  He  was  discarded  as  pastor  and 
he  then  moved  to  Georgia,  and  soon  after  identified  himself 
with  the  Methodist.  After  remaiuing  in  that  connection  for 
a  time  he  was  disciplined  for  intemperate  habits,  and  some 
years  afterwards  died  in  disorder. 

Elder  Wilkie  was,  for  many  years,  an  active  and  ener- 
getic minister.  He  preached  a  great  deal  among  the  Broad 
River  churches,  and  although  he  was  not  an  eloquent  preach- 
er, his  manner  of  address  was  of  a  character  calculated  ,  to 
win  the  affections,  and    make   good  impressions   upon   the 


548  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

minds  of  his  hearers.  A  great  many  persons  professed  con- 
version through  his  instrumentality  and  he  baptized  many 
into  the  fellowship  of  the  Antioch  and  other  churches.  .  He 
was,  however,  considered  by  those  who  knew  him  best  to  be 
a  very  vaseillatiug  and  unstable  man,  in  his  ways,  all  his  life, 
and  many  lacked  confidence  in  him.  On  the  22nd  of  June, 
1831,  he  baptized  us  into  the  fellowship  ofthe  Antioch  church, 
and  we  would  rather  feel  to  be, 

"To  his  foibles  a  little  blind, 
And  to  his  virtues  ever  kind." 

But  still,  faithfulness  becomes  the  household  of  God, 
and  all  those  professing  to  have  identified  themselves  with 
His  people,  should  not  only  endeavor  to  walk  circumspectly 
themselves,  but  expose  to  the  world's  gaze  the  evil  deeds  of 
such  as  profess  and  do  not  the  requirements  of  a  holy  calling. 
!See  the  journalistic  part  of  this  work  in  reference  to  George 
Wilkie.     Session  1828. 


Williams,  Elder  Joseph  M.  is  a  native  of  .Rutherford, 
(now  Cleveland)  county,  IS".  C.  Born  October  1st  1827,  con- 
verted in  August.  1847,  baptized  in  December  afterwards  by 
Elder  Thomas  Dixon  into  the  fellowship  of  an  arm  of  Zion, 
afterwards  organized  into  N"ew  Bethel  church.  Was  licensed 
by  said  church  to  preach  September  15th,  1854,  and  ordained 
to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  April  16th,  1658,  the  pres- 
bytery consisting  of  Eiders  Wade  Hill,  Joseph  Suttle  and  G. 
W.  Rollins.  A  while  before  his  ordination  Xovember  24th, 
1857,  he  had  the  £ood  fortune  of  intermarrving  with  Miss 
Martha  Young,  of  York  count}7,  S.  C,  who  proves  to  be  an 
affectionate  and  industrious  help  meet  to  him  in  the  rugged 
toils  of  life.  He  moved  to  Polk  county  where  he  now  lives, 
in  December  1862,  when  he  and  his  better  half  connected 
themselves  with  Arrowood  church  a  member  of  the  Broad 
River  Association. 

While  he  was  a  member  of  New  Bethel  church  Ave  find 
from  the  minutes  of  the  King's  Mountain  Association  that 
he  served  as  a  delegate  to  that  body  in  1854  to  1862,  the 
year  he  identified  himself  with  the  Broad  River  bodv.  Since 
then  he  has  served  the  Arrowood  church  as  pastor,  and  fre- 
quently represented  said  church  in  the  different  sessions  of 
the  Broad  River  Association  and  in  1877  was  elected  Mod- 
erator. 

We  are  well  acquainted  with  Elder  Williams  and,  while 
in  his  company  many  vears  asro,  heard  him  say  that  his  lath- 
er,  who  was  a  distiller  of  spirits,  had,  during  his  best  days  in 
early  life,  kept  him  so    closely    engaged   in    the   still-house, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  54!) 

tnaking  whisky,  that  he  never  had  much  opportunity  to  ac- 
quire au  education.  He  was  sorry  it  was  the  case  for  he  was 
one  that  appreciated  learning  very  much,  and  the  restrictions 
laid  on  him  had  not  only  prejudiced  his  mind  against  the 
making  of  spirits  but  against  their  use  as  a  beverage.  He 
had  therefore,  seeing  the  great  and  irreparable  evils  result- 
ing from  the  use  of  spirits,  resolved  within  himself  to  give 
all  the  aid  and  comfort  he  possibly  could  to  the  temperance 
movemenl,  and  in  order  to  do  this  as  effectually  as  possible, 
he  embraced  every  opportunity  that  presented  itself  to  him 
to  obtain  all  the  education  he  possibly  could  to  enable  him 
to  make  a  more  formidable  opposition.  While  under  the  in- 
fluence of  these  good  resolutions  it  pleased  God  through  the 
instrumentality  of  a  preached  gospel  to  convert  his  soul,  not 
only  to  the  love  of  sobriety  but  to  godliness  in  all  things.  He 
joined  the  church  and  tried  to  live  the  life  of  a  christian,  and 
during  his  experience,  since  he  made  these  resolutions,  we 
have  not  heard  him, nor  do  we  expect  ever  to  hear  him  say  that 
he  repented  the  course  he  took  in  early  life,  to  endeavor  to 
frown  the  evil  genius  of  intemperance.  If  all  young  men 
•could  only  see  things  in  the  light  that  Elder  Williams  did, 
whether  from  the  same  stand-point  or  not,  but  in  such  a 
way  as  to  stimulate  them  to  put  to  shame  and  drive  out  the 
filthy  and  destructive  practice  of  making,  vending  or  using 
ardent  spirits  as  a  beverage,  from  all  would  be  decent  socie- 
ty— what  a  great  blessing  it  would  prove  to  them  !  And 
not  only  to  them  but  to  society  in  general !  Recollecting 
Elder  Williams'  remarks  long  airo  when  in  his  youth,  and 
seeing  and  knowing  how  the  Lord  has  prospered  him  in  a 
religious /point  of  view,  we  could  not  refrain  from  making 
the  foregoing  remarks,  hoping  they  may  be  utilized  to  their 
fullest  extent  by  every  reader  of  this  work  who  may  need 
any  admonition  on  the  subject.  And  let  all  recollect  the 
trite  remark  of  the  Apostle,  "Let  him  that  thinketh  he 
■standeth  take  heed  lest  he  fall." 

Elder  Williams  beino;  vet  in  the  prime  of  life,   through 

•the  providence  of  God,  may   yet   accomplish    much    in    the 

cause  of  the  Master.     He  has  the  reputation    now    of  being 

au  able  minister  of  the  New  Testameut.       May    his   shadow 

never  grow  less. 


Wilkie,  Elder  William  is  a  native  of  Rutherford 
county,  N.  C,  born  about  1784,  and  a  brother  of  George 
Wilkie.  Was  a  member  of  Big  Spring  church,  and  appoint- 
ed a  delegate  to  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1827.  The 
same  year  the  Big  Spring  church  was  dismissed  to  aid  in 
the  formation  of  the  Catawba  River  Association,  and  Elder 


550  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

"Wilkie  became  a  member  of  that  body.  We  have  no  other- 
information  from  Minutes  concerning  him.  We  know  .that 
he  became  very  deaf  many  years  before  his  death,  and  in. 
consequence  of  which,  he  seldom  preached,  and  probably 
never  did  any  regular  ministerial  work  for  any  of  the  churches,. 
although,  we  know  he  did  preach  sometimes  with  much- 
ability,  and  great  satisfaction  to  his  hearers.  He  was  what 
might  be  termed  a  Hyper  Calmnist.  A  man  of  great  reason- 
ing powers,  and  logical  in  his  conclusions. 


Wilkie,  Elder  Joab  is  native  of  Rutherford  county,  IN". 
C,  and  is  a  son  of  Win.  Wilkie.  He  was  born  about  1805y 
professed  religion  in  early  life  and  joined  the  church  at  Big 
Spring,  and  was  chosen  a  lay  delegate  to  represent  the 
church  in  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1826. 
He  then  became  identified  with  the  Catawba  River  body,, 
and  remained  with  it  until  after  the  formation  of  the  Green 
River  Association,  when  he  became  a  member  of  that  bodyr 
and  we  think  is  vet  a  member  thereof.  Elder  Wilkie  is  a 
good  pious  christian  minister,  'subject  to  the  same  drawbacks  . 
that  cripple  the  usefulness  of  a  large  majority  of  olden  time 
Baptist  ministers — we  mean  a  lack  of  early  educational  train- 
ing. He  has,  however,  been  ordained  bv  a  Presbvtrv  to  the 
regular  and  full  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry,  and  has  prob- 
ably more  than  doubled  the  talents  entrusted  to  his  care, 
and  is  therefore,  entitled  to  the  plaudit,  "well  done,,  good 
and  faithful  servant." 


White,  Elder  William  is  an  ordained  minister  of  the 
Broad  River  Association.  He  appears  from  the  Minutes  to 
have  been  a  licentiate  in  1877,  and  ordained  to  the  full  work 
of  the  ministry  1881.  His  residence  is  near  Hicksville,  N. 
C.     Date  of  his  birth  not  known  to  the  writer. 


Williams,'' Elder  Millington  is  a  native  of  Lincoln' 
county,  N.  C,  date  of  birth  unknown  to  the  writer.  His 
residence  is  near  Hull's  Cross  Roads.  He  has  been  an  or- 
dained minister  about  thirty  two  years,and  has  been  pastor  of 
the  Mount  Vernon  church  several  years.  We  learn  that 
Elder  Williams,  although  destitute  of  early  literary  training, 
is  a  good  pious  man,  of  a  godly  walk  and  conversation,  and 
of  great  service  in  the  church  of  which  he  is  a  member.  He 
has  formerly  been  identified  with  the  Catawba  River  Associ- 
ation. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  &5l 

Wray,  Elder  David,  is  a  native  a  Cleveland  County, 
3S".  C,  born  July  the  5th,  1826,  professed  conversion  in  ear- 
ly life  and  joined  the  church  at  Capernaum.  In  1854  he 
represented  the  church  in  the  Association  as  a  lay  delegate. 
Was  licensed  to  preach  in  1855,  and  on  Dec.  22nd,  1859, 
•ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry.  He  assisted  Elder 
W.  Hill  in  pastoral  labors  until  about  1808,  when  he  emi- 
grated to  the  state  of  Texas,  and  connected  himself  with  the 
Baptist  brotherhood  in  that  state.  He  had  some  time  pre- 
viously intermarried  with  Miss  Violet  Ii.  Hunter,  daughter 
of  Dr.  John  B.  Hunter  of  York  county,  S.  0..,  an  estimable 
lady,  whom  by  the  relentless  hand  of  death  he  lost,  after  set- 
tling in  his  new  home.  Elder  Wray  still  lives  in  the  State- 
•of  his  adoption,  and  pursues  his  ministerial  duties  as  hereto- 
fore, believing  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  one  entrusted  with 
«a  talent  to  cultivate  as  best  he  may  be  able,  until  the  Hus- 
bandman shall  call  the  several  laborers  to  an  account  of 
their  stewardship.  He  has  married  a  second  wife  and  still 
livse  in  Texas. 


White,  Elder  J.  A.  came  from  the  Brier  River  Asso- 
ciation in  1877,  and  identified  himself  with  the  King's 
Mountain  body  at  the  sessiou  of  1878,  being  then  a  delegate 
from  Shelby  church. 

Elder  White  is  a  -native  of  Alexander  county,  X.  C, 
horn  Nov.  1/,  1848,  educated  at  Wake  Forest  College,  N.  C, 
.and  follows  the  business  of  teaching  and  preaching.  On  his 
moving  to  Shelby  he  at  once  took  charge  of  the  Academical 
High  School  at  that  place,  and  rendered  general  satisfaction, 
■we  believe,  to  the  patrons  and  friends  of  the  Institution. 
After  teaching  several  sessions'  brother  White,  wishing  to 
en^ao-e  more  fully  in  the  discharge  of  his  ministerial  duties, 
declined  teaching  anj^  longer,  and  now  has  charge  of  two 
■churches,  Antioch  and  Black's  Station,  of  which  he  has  been 
chosen  pastor,where  he  si  devoting  nearly  all  his  time  to  the 
ministry  of  the  Word.  He  is  an  excellent  preacher  and 
able  divine.  Enjoying  the  advantages  of  a  classical  educa- 
tion, he  is  able  to  grapple  with  obstruse  questions,  either  of 
divinity  or  science.  He  is  very  popular  with  the  people 
where  he  preaches,  and,  being  yet  a  young  man,  he  has  in 
prospect  many  years  of  usefulness  before  him.  May  he  be 
spared  to  render  much  service  in  the  cause  of  the  Master.  He 
married  Miss  Maggie  A.  Sharpe,  of  York  Institute,  Alexan- 
der County,  N". '  C,  who  is  an  estinable  lady  everv  wav  worth  v 
of  him. 


m 


55fI  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES, 

Yarboro,  Elder  James  H.  was  for  a  time  a  member  of 
the  King's  Mountain  Association  and  was  reared  within  its 
bounds.  He  was  born  October  23d,  1831,  converted  in  185t> 
and  joined  the  church  at  Rock  Spring,  Polk  county,  1ST.  C. 
and  was  baptized  the  same  year  by  Elder  Berry  E.  Rollins, 
He  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Rock  Spring  church  in. 
Oct.  1857,  and  in  Jan.  1863  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of 
the  gospel  ministry  by  Elders  Bailey  Brace,  Thomas  Stradly, 
Lewis  McCurry  and  Berry  E.  Rollins,  constituting  the  pres- 
bytery. 

Elder  Yarboro  had  obtained  in  the  country  schools  a 
tolerable  good  English  education  and  was  for  a  time  a  stu- 
dent  at  Taylorsville  high  school  in  Alexander  county.  In. 
order  to  complete  his  education  he  entered  Wake  Eorest 
College  but  by  reason  of  the  war  coming  on  he  left  school 
a  few  months-after  entering  the  senior  class  and  did  not  re- 
turn after  the  war  to  finish  his  collegiate  course. 

Some  time  after  Brother  Yarboro  commenced  preach- 
ing he  married  Miss  Leonora  Stroud  on  the  19th  of  Eebrua- 
ry  1865,  who  proves  to  be  an  affectionate  help  meet  to  him 
while  engaged  in  the  busy  and  toilsome  scenes  of  life. 

While  a  member  of,  the  King's  Mountain  Association,, 
Elder  Yarboro  has  been  prominent  in  the  body  as  a  preach- 
er and  business  man,  appointed  sometimes  to  preach  the  in- 
troductory sermons  and  write  the  annual  Circular  Letters  tos 
the  churches  in  union.  At  the  session  of  1866  it  will  be  seen 
by  reference  to  the  minutes  of  that  year,  that  he  took  a  very 
active  and  praise  worthy  part  in  healing  the  breach  that  had 
taken  place  in  the  Association  in  regard  to  temperance.  And 
at  the  session  of  1868  he  was  honored  with  the  appointment 
of  Moderator  of  the  body,  the  duties  of  which  he  discharged 
very  creditably  to  himself  and  entire  satisfaction  to  the  mem- 
bers. At  the  same  session  the  Circular  Letter  prepared  by 
him  on  Missions  was  adopted  by  the  body  which  we  here  re- 
produce as  being  considered  worthy  of  perservation.  Elder 
Yarboro  follows  the  business  of  teaching  and  is  now  en- 
gaged in  running  a  high  school  of  much  merit  at  Forest  City, 
Rutherford  county,  N.  C.  So,  that  as  Elder  or  Professor,  he 
is  an  active  worker  in  the  cause  of  the  Master.  As  he  is  still 
living  and  in  the  nritne  of  life  and  manhood  we  will  add  no 
more. 

CIRCULAR   LETTER. 

The  King's  Mountain  Baptist  Association,  to  the  Churches  in  Union 

sendcth  christian  salutation. 

Dear  Brethren  : — According  to  an  appointment  of  yonr  body  at 
its  last  session,  we  address  you  upon  the  great  and  important  subject 
of  Missions. 


/ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  553 

The  primitive  christians,  under  the  guidance  of  the  Hoi;,  Spirit, 
uniformly  enforced  their  instructions,  by  tender  appeals  to  the  ex- 
ample, sufferings  and  death  of  our  ascended  Lord.  It  was,  therefore, 
the  last  command  of. our  Savior  to  His  disciples  to  go  "teach  all  na- 
tions, baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son. 
and  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  In  order  to  obey  this  injunction,  there  are 
three  things  which  should  be  inseparably  asociated  with  the  people 
of  God.  First,  humility  of  heart,  because  Christ  "humbled  Himself 
and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of  the  Cross." 
Second,  purity  of  life,  because  Christ  "gave  Himself  for  us  that  he 
might  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify  unto  Himself  a  pecu- 
liar people."  Third,  liberality  is  required,  because  Christ  "though 
lHe  was  rich,  yet  for  our  sakes  He  became  poor,  that  we  through  His 
poverty  might  be  rich." 

So,  in  arriving  at  the  true  idea  of  the  spirit  of  Missions,  the 
proper  course  evidently  is  to  look  at  the  missionary  character  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  He  was  indeed  ft  missionary;  He  came  to  save 
the  lost;  He  was  a  missionary  to  us.  We  were  under  condemnation, 
the  sentence  of  God's  righteous  law  was  against  us,  the  flaming 
sword  of  Divine  vengeance  was  against  us.  To  save  the  lost,  then, 
was  the  spirit  of  Christ.  The  apostles  imbibed  this  spirit,  and  this  is 
the  spirit  of  missions.  The  heathen  are  in  a  lost  condition,  and  if 
we  possess  the  spirit  of  Christ  we  will  do  what  we  can  to  save  them. 
The  spirit  of  Missions  is  not  something  different  from,  or  something 
superadded  to  the  christian  spirit,  but  is  simply  essentially  and  em- 
phatically the  spirit  of  Christ ;  it  is  compassion  for  the  destitute,  and 
such  compassion  as  leads  the  possessor  to  put  forth  powerful  efforts, 
and  to  undergo,  if  necessary,  the  severest  suffering. 

When  we  try  to  look  into  the  manifestation  of  the  spirit  of 
Christ,  we  see  very  evidently  the  great  outlines  of  what  is  worthy  to 
be  called  the  spirit  of  missions.  Behold  the  condescension  of  the 
Savior,  and  we  learn  a  lesson  of  duty  towards  the  destitute  and  de- 
graded of  the  human  race.  The  Son  of  God,  before  whom  ten  thou- 
sand times  ten  thousands  of  thousands  prostrate  themselves ;  this 
Infiuite  Being  empties  Himself  of  His  Glory  and  comes  down  to  toil  1 
suffer  and  die,  for  whom?  For  us,  worms  of  the  dust,  insects  that 
may  be  crushed  in  a  moment  before  His  wrath  ! 

When  the  millions  and  hundreds  of  millions  of  our  race  come  up 
before  our  imagination,  when  we  behold  them  sunk  into  untold  vio- 
lence, covered  in  abominations,  dropping  one  after  another  as  fast  as 
the  beating  of  our  pulse,  twenty  millions  a  year  into  the  world  of  spirits 
shoidd  not  our  Savior's  last  command  bear  with  irresistable  force 
upon  us?*  We,  brethren,  should  regard  ourselves  under  God,  as  the 
means  of  saving  them  from  perdition.  We  have  idol  gods  without 
number  to  destroy,  a  veil  of  forty  centuries  thick  to  rend,  a  horrible 
darkness  to  dispel,  hearts  of  stone  to  break,  a  gulf  of  pollution  to  pu- 
rify, nations,  in  God's  strength  to  reform  and  regenerate  ;  but  to  do 
this  requires  a  spirit  of  liberality,  and  such  liberality  as  will  induce 
us  to  contribute  of  our  mean3  so  as  to  send  the  gospel  to  all  destitute 
70 


554  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

locations,  so  far  as  we  may  be  able.  But  alas  !  how  small  the  sum 
appropriated  by  a  million  and  a  half  of  God's  stewards  to  save  and 
elevate  a  sinking  world!  Tbe  price  of  earthly  ambition,  conveni- 
ence and  pleasure  is  counted  by  millions.  Navies  and  armies  have 
their  millions,  railroads  and  canals  have  their  millions,  colleges  and 
schools  have  their  millions,  excessive  fondness  of  the  alluremements 
of  dress  and  vain  glory  have  their  millions,  parties  of  pleasure  and 
licentiousness  in  high  life  have  their  millions,  and  what  has  the 
treasury  of  God  and  the  Lamb  to  redeem  a  world  of  souls  from  the 
pains  of  eternal  death  and  to  till  them  with  unspeakable  joy  ?  The 
sum  is  so  small  in  comparison  to  the  wealth  of  our  churches  that  our 
tongues  refuse  to  utter  it. 

Money,  though  greatly  needed,  is  by  no  means  all  that  is  re- 
quired of  God's  people,  bodies  and  minds  are  wanted,  the  bone  and 
sinews  of  men  are  required.  These  more  substantial  things  are  needed 
as  well  as  money  in  arduous  services  at  home  and  still  more  self- 
denying  labor  abroad.  The  pleasure  of  doing  good  is  the  joy  of  angels, 
it  is  the  thrill  of  delight  which  pervades  the  soul  of  Jesus.  Let  us 
then  try  to  obey  His  last  command.  The  heathen  world,  as  a  mass 
has  been  left  to  perish,  and  by  whom  ?  Not  by  the  Father  of  mer- 
cies ;  He  gave  His  only  Son  to  redeem  it.  Not  by  the  Savior  of  sin- 
ners ;  behold,  and  see  his  agonies  on  Cavalry,  not  by  the  Holy  Spirit, 
His  influences  have  always  been  ready,  not  by  the  angels,  their 
wings  have  never  yet  become  weary  or  tiresome  when  sent  on 
errands  of  mercy.  All  that  heaven  could  do  has  been  done  consist- 
ently with  the  all-wise  arrangement  of  committing  an  important 
agency  to  the  church  of  Jesus. 

The  church  has  been  slothful  and  negligent.  Each  generation 
of  christians  has  in  turn  received  the  vast  responsibility  neglected  it 
iu  a  great  measure  and  transmitted  it  to  the  next.  Is  it  true  that 
the  heathen  world  is  sinking  into  hell  ?  As  fast  as  time  rolls  on 
they  are  passing  into  the  world  of  retribution  and  the  inquiry  is, 
what  is  the  doom  they  meet  ?  Do  they  arise  to  meet  and  unite  with 
angels  in  the  songs  of  glory  ?  or  do  they  sink  in  ceaseless  and  untold 
torments  ? 

Certain  it  is  that  they  are  not  saved  through  faith  in  Christ,  for 
"how  shall  they  believe  in  Him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard  ?  "  It 
is  also  clear  that  God,  in  His  usual  method  does  not  bestow  the  gift 
of  repentance  and  eternal  life  where  a  Savior  is  not  known.  "It 
pleased  God  by  the  foolishness  of  preaching  to  save  them  that  be- 
lieve." Those  who  are  saved  are  said  to  be  "begotten  by  the  word 
of  truth— born  of  the  word  of  God."  As  the  heathen  nations  there- 
fore, are  not  furnished  with  the  means  of  salvation,  it  follows  that  as 
a  mass,  at  least  they  are  lost.  They  are  the  nations  that  have  forgot- 
ten God  and  shall  be  turned  into  hell. 

It  is  unnecessary  for  us  to  enter  into  any  inquiry  whether  it  is 
possible  for  the  heathen,  unacquainted  with  the  gospel,  to  be  saved. 
All  that  concerns  us  is,  to, know  that  God  has  ordained  the  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel  as  the  means  of  saving  the  nations.    It  is  not  rea- 


BI0GEAPH1CAL  SKETCHES.  555 

sonable,  therefore,  to  suppose  that  God  will  transplant  the  vine  of 
Sodom,  unchanged  in  its  nature,  to  over-run  His  Paradise  above. 
He  will  not  throw  open  the  gates  of  His  Holy  City  and  expose  its 
peaceful  inhabitants  to  those  hearts  of  cruelty  and  to  those  whose 
hands  are  red  with  blood.  There  is  then,  no  hope  of  converting  the 
heathen  if  christian  nations  do  not  send  them  the  precious  gospel,  but 
this  mass  of  corruption  and  pollution  must  disgorge  itself  into  the 
pit  of  an  awfull  hell. 

And  shall  the  churches  of  our  own  land,  with  all  their  peculiar 
advantages  to  send  the  gospel  into  all  parts  of  the  world,  lie  dormant 
and  neutral  while  a  sinking  world  is  crying  for  help  ?  But  oh  !  how 
astonishing  it  is  to  see  what  a  small  amount  of  what  we  claim  in 
this  life  is  appropriated  to  the  evangelization  of  the  world.  It  would 
be,  perhaps,  a  large  estimate  to  say  that  the  professed  christians  of 
the  United  States  give  twenty  cents  per  annum,  on  an  average,  for 
the  spread  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus.  There  is  indeed  a  deplorable  defi- 
ciency in  our  churches  of  the  deep  devotion  and  missionary  spirit  of 
our  ascended  Lord. 

Money  is  not  wanting  when  lucrative  gain  is  the  end  in  view. 
Professed  christians  can  collect  together  large  sums  of  money  when 
some  great  enterprise  promises  a  good  income.  What  is  it  that  the 
American  christian  could  not  accomplish  for  Christ  if  their  hearts 
and  feelings  were  as  much  enlisted  in  His  cause  as  they  are  in  the 
accumulation  of  worldly  gain  ?  The  world  would  soon  have  the  gos- 
pel preached  in  all  the  benign tened  regions,  and  the  wheels  of  Ziou 
would  roll  on  conquering  and  to  conquer.  It  is  certainly  the  duty 
of  the  churches  and  ministry  to  put  forth  more  strenuous  efforts,  to 
buildjup-ahd  sustain  the  gospel  in  all  destitute  regions.  We  know 
this  to  be  so  from  the  injunction  of  our  Savior  to  the  primitive 
christians.  Was  not  Jerusalem  an  important  place  ?  far  more  im- 
portant, compared  with  other  cities  of  that  time  than  any  city  in 
the  United  States  ?  And  yet  all  the  Apostles,  except  one,  were  re- 
quired not  only  to  leave  that  city,  but  to  go  beyond  the  limits  of 
Palestine.  Antioch  was  an  important  place,  yet  Paul  and  Barnabas 
were  not  suffered  to  remain  in  that  City.  Thus  in  the  early  ages  of 
the  gospel  dispensation  the  gospel  was  carried  into  destitute  regions 
by  missionaaies,  and  as  much  as  some  persons  may  oppose  mission- 
ary operations,  we  from  the  Scriptures,  regard  it  as  an  apostolic  and 
scriptural  work,  and  brethren, it  is  a  difficult,  important  and  respon- 
sible work.  The  Holy  Spirit  thought  so  in  apostolic  times,  because 
when  a  man  was  needed  to  preach  to  Cornelius  and  his  household,  a 
man  of  just  such  ability  and  influence  as  Peter  was  sent,  and  when 
the  gospel  was  to  be  preached  in  Antioch,  Barnabas,  a  man  of  great 
piety  and  influence  was  sent.  And  when  two  preachers  were  called 
to  go  to  the  heathen,  we  see  that  Simeon,  Lucius  or  Mancan  were  not 
chosen  but  the  Holy  Ghost  said,  "Separate  me  Barnabas  and  Saul," 
men  of  greatest  ability,  experience,  piety  and  wisdom.  And  thus  it 
seems  that  the  work  of  a  missionary  requires  talents,  more  mature 
wisdom  and  deeper  piety,  than  pastoral  charges  in  the  largest  and 


556  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

most  influential  churches.  And  brethren,  this  idea  seems  to  accord 
perfectly  with  the  instructions  of  the  Holy  Ghost  as  well  as  with 
the  dictates  of  common  sense.  WeaK  men  were  not  chosen  in  the 
apostolic  age  to  penetrate  into  the  very  midst  of  the  enemy  and  to 
grapple  with  the  enemies  of  Christ,  but  the  strong,  the  powerful  and 
influential  were  selected  to  bear  the  gospel  into  the  enemy's  land. 
And  surely,  if  talent,  ability  and  influence  are  needed  any  where  in 
all  tbe  kingdon  of  our  blessed  Redeemer,  it  is  needed  in  the  great 
and  important  work  of  missions. 

Let  us  then  brethren  try  to  discharge  our  duty  so  far  as  we  can 
in  this  great  work,  both  foreign  and  domestic,  so  as  that  the  record- 
ing angel  shall  not  be  compelled,  with  aching  heart  and  streaming 
eyes,  to  inscribe  lchabod  on  our  Zion,  but  with  willing  soul  and 
ready  hands  shall  write  in  fairer  lines,  "Beautiful  for  situation  the 
joy  of  the  whole  earth  !  "  Fraternally, 

September  21,  1868.  James  H.  Yarboko. 


-0 — 0- 


CHAPTER  VII, 


SKETCHES  OF  THE  CHURCHES  OF  THE  BROAD  RIVER  BAPTIST 

ASSOCIATION. 


Abingdon  Creek  Church  is  situated  in  Union  Count}*, 
S.  C,  near  a  creek  called  Abingdon  creek  from  which  the 
church,  we  suppose,  derived  its  name.  It  is  situated  a  few 
miles  from  Smiths'  Ford,  on  main  Broad  River,  and  has  a 
membership  of  79  persons.  It  was  organized  mainly  through 
the  missionary  labors  of  Elder  Jno.  Tollison  in  1875,  that 
being  the  date  of  the  Constitution.  This  church  has  good 
surroundings  and  ample  material  for  building  up  a  strong- 
hold, at  this  place,  for  the  Baptist  denomination.  It  only 
needs  proper  cultivation.  Elder  L.  B.  Vaughn  was  the  pas- 
tor of  the  church  in  1876,  after  which  Elder  J.  Tollison  again 
took  charge  in  1877,  Elder  J.  R.  Osment  in  1878,  Elder  T. 
H.  Mullinax  was  pastor  in  1879  and  Elder  W.  L.  Brown  is 
now  the  pastor  from  1879  to  1882.  The  pastors  salary  is  re- 
ported at  $75.00.  J.  R.  Tollison,  Smith's  Ford,  S.  C,  is 
church  clerk. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  557 

Arrowood  Church  is  situated  on  the  Mills'  Gap  road 
irbur  miles  westerly  from  Cowpens  battle-ground  and  about 
•the  same  distance  south-westerly  from  Island  Ford,  on  main 
Broad  River,  in  Polk  County,  N.  C.  It  was  constituted  Feb- 
ruary 24th  1844,  and  joined  the  Green  River  Association  at 
■its  session  of  the  same  year.  In  1856  the  Arrowood  church 
became  a  member  of  the  Broad  River  Association,  at  her 
session  at  Sulphur  Springs  church,  and  has  continued  such 
until  the  present  time.  Since  she  left  the  Green  River  body 
Elder  A.  Padgett  washer  pastor  until  1858,  Elder  J.  S.  Ezell 
till  1862,  Elder  A.  A.  McSwain  in  1862  and  "63,  Elder  J. 
M.  Williams  from  1864  to  '66,  Elder  G.  M.  Webb  in 
1867  and  '68,  Elder  J.  M,  Williams  again  in  1861) 
■consecutively  until  1877,  and  Elder  J.  H.  Yarboro  from  then 
to  the  present  time.  (1882.)  The  church  numbers  204  mem- 
bers. The  present  corps  of  deacons  are  R.  L.  Nathins,  T. 
•J.  McKinney,  John  Clements,  Jonas  Vassy  and  Perry  Carter. 
The  present  pastor  is  Elder  A.  J,  Bonner,  who  appears  to  be 
an  efficient  and  acceptable  minister.  R.  L.  Watkins  is  clerk 
of  the  church,  Hicksville,  N.  C. 


Bethesda  Church  is  situated  in  Spartanburg  county, 
8.  C,  about  two  miles  from  Glendale  on  Lawson's  Fork  and 
through  the^  ministerial  labors  of  Elder  Thomas  Weathers 
and  others^it  was  organized  and  constituted  some  time  in 
the  year  1821,  and  at  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Associ- 
ation held  the  same  year  at  Zion  church  in  Rutherford  (now 
Cleveland)  county,  K.  C,  it  was  admitted  as  a  member  of 
said  body,  Elder  Thos.  Weathers,  John  Poole  and  James 
Haynes  being  her  representatives.  She  then  had  a  member- 
ship of  fiifty-eight  persons,  and  Elder  Thos.  Weathers  was 
her  pastor.  In  1830,  Elder  Abram  Crow  was  called  to  the 
pastorate,,  who  continued  till  1832.  From  then  to  1835  Elder 
Joshua  Richards  was  pastor.  In  1835  to  '37,  Elder  D.  Scruggs; 
from  1837  to  '39  Elder  Joshua  Richards  again  tilled  the  pas- 
toral office  From  1839  to  '45,  Elder  S.^Drummond,  from 
1845  to  '48,  Elder  T.  Dixon;  from  1848  to  '51,  Elder  J.  S. 
Ezell;  in  1851,  Elder  W.  Lankford;  from  1852  to  '55,  Elder 
J.  Lee;  in  1855,  Elder  F.  W.  Littlejohn;  from  1856  to  '59, 
Elder  Richard  Woodruff;  from  1859  to '66,  Elder  J.Lee; 
from  1866  to  '68,  Elder  L.  Vaughn  ;  in  1869-'70-'71,  Elder 
B.  Bonner;  in  1872,  Elder  W.  G.  Morehead ;  in  1873,  Elder 
L.  B.  Vaush;  in  1875-76,  Elder  J.  E.  Kino;;  in  1878-79, 
Elder  W.  M.  Foster;  in  1880-'81,  Elder  J.  G.  Carter;  in 
1882,  Elder  W.  T.  Tate. 

This  church  now   numbers   77  member.     Her   present 


■558  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

corps   of  deacons  are   J.   J.  Lee,  W.  C.  Carter  and  VV.  2C 
Brown.     J.  C.  Brown,  Church  Clerk,  Glendale,  S.  C. 


Bivingsville  Church  is  situated  in  Spartanburg  county r 
S.  C,  on  Lawson's  Fork  Creek,  in  Glendale,  a  factory  towns. 
formerly  known  as  Bivingsville,  from  which  this  church  de- 
rives its  name.  It  was  constituted  July  the  4th  1876,  and 
the  same  year  joined  in  the  organization  of  the  Spartanburg 
Association,  at  New  Prospect  church.  She  remained  with 
that  body  until  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association  in 
1879,  when,  for  reasons  satisfactory  to  the  parties  concerned,, 
she  joined  the  Broad  River  body  and  is  yet  a  member  of  the 
same.  At  that  time  she  reported  a  membership  of  eighty 
persons,  Elder  J.  S.  Ezell  her  pastor.  At  the  session  of  1882y 
she  reported  109  members,  and  pastors  salary  $60.00.  Her 
present  corps  of  deacons  are  Hugh  Thomas  Wm.  Thomasr 
J.  A.  Brown,  Geo.  T.  Walker,  Geo.  Ward  and  Jas.  Thomas. 
J.  A.  Brown,  church  clerk,  Glendale,  S.  C. 

Note. — Bivingsville  church  is  near  the  historic  Swaffbrd's  Old 
Iron  Works  where  the  Whigs  of  1776  gained  a  victory  over  the  Brit- 
tish  Red  Coats  and  Tories. 


Beaverdam  Church  (Broad  River)  is  situated  on  the 
A.  L.  R.  R.,  4  miles  south  of  Gafrhey  City,  Spartanburg 
county,  S.  C,  and  was  constituted  by  a  presbytery  on  the 
17th  day  of  July  1880,  and  the  same  year  admitted  to  mem- 
bership in  the  Broad  River  Association  at  her  session  at 
Cedar  Springs  church.  This  church  when  admitted  had  a 
membership  of  23  persons,  and  had  Elder  A.  D.  Davidson 
as  her  pastor.  Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  J.  W. 
Quinti  and  J.  P.  Whelehel.  J.  W.  Quinn,  Church  Clerk. 
Gaiiney  City,  S.  C. 

This  little  church  has  not  reported  contributions  to 
pastor,  or  religious  objects  of  any  kind,  as  she  is  doubtless 
struo-oHina;  for  existence  in  an  infantile  state. 


Browns'  Chapel  Church  is  situated  in  Spartanburg 
county,  S.  C,  near  the  Trough  Shoals,  on  Pacolet  River, 
about  eiij'ht  miles  below  Clifton  Mills.  It  was  constituted 
by  a  presbytery  October  the  23rd  1871,  Elder  L.  B.  "Vaughn 
being  her  pastor,  who,  with  Elder  E.  S.  V.  Bryant  and  oth- 
ers, had  taken  an  active  part  in  the  organization  of  the 
church.  At  the  session  ot  the  Broad  River  Association,  the 
same  year,  at  Philadelphia  church,  the  Brown's  Chapel 
church  was  admitted  to  membership  with  that  body,  having 
then  a  membership  of  31  persons   in  fellowship.      Elder  L. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  559 

B.  Vaughn  continued  in  the  pastorate  from  the  time  of  the 
constitution  of  the  church  till  1882.  The  church  now  num- 
bers eighty-four  members,  and  pays  $75.00  as  pastor's  salary, 
•but  makes  no  special  report  of  a  Sunday  school,  or  contribu- 
tions for  missions,  or  other  benevolent  objects  now  engaging 
■•so  ffenerallv  the  attention  of  the  churches  throughout  Chris- 
tendom.  The  following  is  the  present  corps  of  deacons 
■serving  this  church:  G.  W.  Brown,  Sr.,  W.  T.  Bryant,  S. 
M.  C.  McKinney  and  R.  W.  Spake.  S.  Spake,  Church 
Clerk,  Pacolet  Depot,  S.  C. 


Buck  Creek  Church  is  situated  in  Spartanburg  county, 
S.  C,  near  to  a  stream  so  called  from  which  the  church  de- 
rives its  name.  It  is  located  about  half  way  between  Paris' 
Bridge  and  Coulter's  Ford  on  Pacolet  River,  distance  from 
Spartanburg  village  twelve  miles  easterly  with  beautiful  sur- 
roundings. This  venerable  church  was  first  a  member  of 
the  Bethel  Association,  being  constituted  by  a  presbytery  in 
the  year  1779.  The  Broad  River  Association  was  organized 
in  1800  and'' Buck  Creek  having  been  dismissed  by  letter 
became  a  constituent  member  thereof.  Elder  John  Bank- 
stone  being  a  member  of  this  church  was  called  to  the  pas- 
torate, and  was  probably  its  first  pastor  after  the  formation 
of  the  Broad  River  Association.  Brethren  John  Cautrell, 
John  Turner  and  Charles  Cantrell  were  probably  the  first 
deacons  of  the  Buck  Creek  Church. 

It  does  not  appear  from  the  minutes  of  the  Association 
that  the  church  had  any  regular  pastor  until  Elder  Zechariah 
Blackwell,  in  1822  joined  it  by  letter  who  officiated  as  such 
until  1825.  In  1823  Brother  Jacob  Cantrell  appears  to 
have  been  licensed  to  preach  by  this  church,  who  dou'itlj'sa 
assisted  Elder  Blackwell  in  the  administration  of  the  Word. 
From  1825  to  1830  Elder  Abram  Crow  was  pastor,  after 
which  the  church  appears  destitute  until  1832  when  Elder 
Berryman  Hicks  was  chosen,  who  continued  until  1839,  or 
to  the  time  of  his  death  which  took  place  that  year.  Elder 
J.  M.  Webb  became  pastor  in  1840  and  continued  till  1844. 
Elder  J.  Kuykeudal  having  joined  this  church  by  letter 
served  as  pastor  till  1846,  Elder  D.  Scruggs  then  served  till 
1849.  The  church  was  destitute  in  1849-550.  Elder  D. 
Scruggs  again  served  in  1851.  Elder  L.  H.  McSwain  in  1852 
-'53^Elder  J.  M.  Webb  in  '54-'55,  Elder  J.  G.  Landrum  in 
:56-'57-'58.  Elder  B.  Bonner  in  1859-"60-'61,  Elder  J.  S. 
Ezell  in  '62,  Elder  A.  Padgett  in '63,  Elder  J.  M.  Webb 
again  in  '64-'65,  Elder  J.  S.  Ezell  in  '66  to  71,  Elder  B. 
Bonner  in  '71  to  '78,  Elder   J.  M.  Williams   in    78   to    '80, 


5C0  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

Elder  W.  M.  Foster  in  '80,  Elder  J.  H.  Yarboro  in  '81  an  J 
Elder  W.  T.  Tate  in  '82, 

This  church  has  a  membership  of  226  persons  and  pays- 
$100.00  to  her  pastor.  The  present  corps  of  deacons  are- 
M.  McKinney,  Henry  Paris,  Nathan  Paris,  W.  "W.  Turner,, 
J.  J.  C.  Ezell  and  F.  H.  Cash.  W.  P.  G.  Ezell,  Church 
Clerk,  Martinsville,  S.  C. 

In  reviewing  the  list  of  pastors  the  names-  of  some  of 
the  most  gifted  ministers  of  the  Association  appear,  and. 
the  representatives  of  the  church  in  the  different  sessions  of 
the  Association  embrace  some  of  the  most  worthy  citizens 
of  Spartanburg  county.  The  Pooles,  Ezells,  Bouners,  Hinesy 
Dobbins,  Linders,  Cooleys,  etc.  It  is  needless  to  eulogize- 
these  men,  for  their  pious  walk  and  godly  conversation,  as- 
they  were  well  known  to  many.  Majr  their  worthy  deeds  in  the- 
cause  of  the  Master  be  emulated  and  copied  by  their  survi- 
vors I 


Camp's  Creek  Church  is  situated  near  a  stream  having- 
that  name,  which  runs  into  main  Broad  River,  and  is  ire 
Cleveland  county,  N.  C,  about  two  miles  southerly  from  the- 
old  Champion's  Ferry  (now  Settlemeyr's  Ferry.)  and  about 
six  miles  nearly  North  from  Gafihey  City  on  the  air-line- 
railroad. 

Owing  to  the  loss  of  church  records  we  have  failed  in  our 
researches  to  be  able  to  give  the  precise  date  of  the  constitu- 
tion of  this  church,  but  we  find  from  an  examination  of  the 
minutes  of  the  Broad  River  Association  that  at  the  session 
of  1822,  at  Mount  Zion  church,  the  "Camp's  Creek  Church'7 
was  admitted  as  a  member  of  that  bodv,  which  doubtless 
was  the  first  opportunity  she  had  to  make  application  after 
being  constituted  some  time  in  that  same  year.  When  or- 
ganized the  church  had  37  members,  and  Elder  B.  Hicks 
appears  to  have  been  the  first  pastor.  Lewis  Jones,  Moses 
Davidson  and  David  Humphries  were  probably  the  first, 
deacons.  Elder  B.  Hicks  continued  in  the  pastorate  until 
1831  when  Elder  John  Padgett  served  one  year!  Elder  D. 
Scruggs  then  served  until  1838.  Elder  Z.  Blackwell  served 
in  1839,  Elder  S.  G.  Hamilton  in  '40,  Elder  Joab  Wilkie  in 
'41-'42-'43,  Elder  D.  Scruggs  again  in  '44,  Elder  W.  B.  Pad- 
gett in  '45  to  '50;  in  '50  and  '51  Elder  J.  S.  Ezell  served,  in 
'52  and  '53  Elder  J.  G.  Ken  d  rick  was  pastor,  in  "54  Elder  T. 
Dixon,  in  '55-'56-'57  Elder  J.  Suttle  served,  in  '58  Elder  P. 
R.  Elam,  in  '59-'60-'61-,62  Elder  D.  Scruggs  was  again  pas- 
tor, in  '63  Elder  J.  G.  Kendrick  again  served,  in  '64-'65-'66- 
67-'68  Elder  B.    Bonner   was   pastor,   in    '69-'70-71-'72-'73 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  561 

Elder  A.  A.  McSwain  served  as  pastor,  in  '74  Elder  T.  II. 
Mullinax,  in  75-'76  Elder  J.  G.  Carter  served,  in  '77-'78 
Elder  J.  E.  Burgess  served,  in  '79-80  Elder  W.  M.  Foster 
and  in  '81-:82  Elder  A.  MeMahan  was  pastor. 

The  Camp's  Creek  Church  has  enjoyed  good  meetings 
frequently  and  the  brethren  have  the  reputation  of  being 
hospitable  to  strangers.  She  reports  a  membership  of  135. 
No  report  of  Sunday  School  is  made  in  the  minutes,  nor  is 
there  any  report  of  contributions  for  missions  or  other  be- 
nevolent objects. 

Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  D.  G.  Palmer,  S.  R. 
Humphries  and  J.  E.  Wood.  The  church  clerk  is  J.  T.  M. 
D.  Helton,  Byarsville,  N.  C.  This  church  is  incorporated 
and  prohibits  the  sale  of  ardent  spirits  within  three  miles  of 
their  meeting  house,  this  fact  serves  to  show  that  they  have 
doubtless  heretofore  been  greatly  annoyed  by  the  forces  of 
prince  alcohol.  W.  B.  Padgett,  a  deposed  minister,  was 
licensed  to  preach  by  this  church. 


Cedar  Springs  ChurchIs  situated  in  Spartanburg  coun- 
ty, S.  C,  on  the  Glenn  Springs  road,  near  the  famous  Cedar 
Springs,  a  point  of  interest  in  the  history  of  the  revolutiona- 
ry war,  from  which  the  church  derives  its  name.  Its  loca- 
tion is  about  four  miles  nearly  south  from  Spartanburg  vil- 
lage and  about  three  miles  south-easterly  from  Glendale  on 
Lawson's  Fork  of  Pacolet  river. 

This  church,  agreeable  to  the  minutes  of  the  Association 
of  1861,  was  constituted  in  1787.  Its  first  pastor  was  Elder 
Joro3ral  Barnett,  and  the  first  deacons  were  Wra.  Lancaster, 
Wm.  Underwood  and  Thos.  Weathers,  the  latter  of  whom 
afterwards  became  a  minister.  Wm.  Lancaster  was  the 
clerk  of  the  church,  who  was  also  clerk  of  the  Association 
from  the  time  of  its  organization  until  1812,  or  eleven  years. 

The  Cedar  Spring  church  had  formerly  been  a  member 
of  the  Bethel  Association,  and  was  dismissed  therefrom  to 
become  a  constituent  member  of  the  Broad  River  Associa- 
tion in  its  organization  in  1800.  It  has  some  attractive  his- 
toric  feature*  in  reference  to  its  religious  progress,  and  revo- 
lutionary war  incidents,  which  if  fully  detailed  would  form 
a  volume  of  much  interest.  Besides  Cedar  Springs  has  been 
for  many  years  the  seat  of  learning  where  that  unfortunate 
class  of  deaf  and  dumb  and  blind  have  received  instructions 
in  the  rudiments  of  the  English  language.  The  church  has  not 
only  been  made  historically  famous  by  thesethings,  but  more 
especially  by  reason  of  the  many  cultivated  minds  that  have 
from  time  to  time  adorned  its  membership,  and  served  in  the 
various  high  places  of  trust  both  in  the  church  and  also  in 
71 


532  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

State.  The  names  and  charitable  deeds  of  many  of  her 
numbers  will  not  soon  be  forgotten,  who  were  ever  found 
ready  to  give  timely  assistance  to  every  good  and  worthy 
cause,  to  say  nothing  of  their  unfeigned  love  of  their  church 
at  home  which  appeared  at  all  times  manifest  and  abounding. 
The  following  ministers  have  from  time  to  time  had  the 
pastoral  care  of  this  church:  Elders  Joroyal  Barnett,  H. 
McDougal,  E.  Ray,  D.  Scruggs,  M  C.  Barnett,  J.  G.  Kin- 
drick,  J.  S.  Ezell,  B.  Bonner,  M.  V.  B.  Lankford,  W.  L. 
Brown,  G.  S.  Anderson,  J.  M.  C.  Breaker,  R.  Woodruff,  J.  L. 
Yass,  L.  C.  Ezell.  ISTot  exactly,  however,  in  order  of  their 
names  as  here  entered.  The  church  does  not  report  a  Sun- 
day school  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Association,  nor  does  she 
report  the  amount  of  her  contributions  for  missions  or  other 
benevolent  objects.  She  pays  her  pastor  one  hundred  dol- 
lars annually,  and  has  a  membership  of  144  persons.  Her 
present  corps  of  deacons  are  Monroe  Barnett,  James  K. 
Finch,  Washington  Poole  and  W.  F.  Coggins.  S.  M.  Bag- 
well, Church  Clerk,  Cedar  Springs,  S.  C. 


Cherokee  Creek  Church  is  situated  in  Spartanburg 
county,  S.  C,  about  seven  miles  from  Settlemyer's  Ferry 
and  about  nine  miles  northwest  from  Gaffney  City  on  the 
Air-line  railroad. 

This  church  was  constituted  on  the  22d  day  of  August, 
1879,  and  the  same  year  was  admitted  to  membership  in  the 
Broad  River  Association  at  its  session  at  S tat £. Line  church. 
When  constituted  it  had  a  membership  of  57  persons,  with 
Elder  John  Ruppe  as  pastor.  In  1881-'82  Elder  A.  C.  Irvin 
was  pastor,  and  the  church  had  increased  to  eighty-five  mem- 
bers in  fellowship,  and  the  prospects  were  good  for  building 
up  the  cause  of  Christ  in  this  hitherto  neglected  localitv.  A. 
B.  Ruppe,  church  clerk,  Grassy  Pond,  S.  C. 


Clifton  Church  is  situated  in  Spartanburg  county,  S. 
C.  in  the  Factory  town  of  the  same  name,  formerly  called 
"Huricane  Shoals,"  on  Pacolet  river,  about  eight  miles  east- 
erly from  Spartanburg  village  and  on  the  South  side  of  the 
air-line  railroad. 

This  church  was  constituted  on  the  27th  day  of  March, 
1881,  by  a  presbytery  of  Elders,  T.  J.  Taylor  and  J.  G.  Car- 
ter, and  at  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association  held 
that  year  at  Corinth  Church  in  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C. 
it  was  admitted  as  a  member  of  said  body,  Bro.  B.  E.  Pen- 
tuff  being  her  representative,  and  the  church  then  having  a 
membership  of  ten  persons  only.      Elder  W.    T.    Tate   was 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  563 

called  to  the  pastorate  in  1882,  and  the  Minutes  of  the  Asso- 
ciation for  this  year  show  the  present  membership  to  be  93 
persons  and  the  pastor's  salary  $125.00. 

The  deacons  are  R.  M.  Crocker,  N.  J.  Hoilifield,  L.  R. 
Lancaster,  J.  H.  Hamrick  and  W".  B.  Sorgee.  W.  T.  Whit- 
aker  is  church  clerk,  Clifton,  S.  C. 

The  prospects  are  very  good  for  the  building  up  of  a 
strong  and  active  church  in  this  flourishing  manufacturing 
town.  Much  is  anticipated  from  the  zealous  ministerial  la- 
bors of  Elder  W.  T.  Tate,  who  is  in  the  prime  of  life  and  at 
all  times  manifesting  a  disposition  to  do  faithful  work  in  the 
Master's  vineyard. 

Brother  B.  E.  Pentufl,  of  the  Clifton  Church,  has  been 
licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  and  is  making  educational 
preparations  for  the  better  discharge  of  his  ministerial  duties. 


Corinth  Church  is  situated  in  Spartanburg  county,  S. 
C,  about  5  miles  south  from  Gaffney  City  on  the  Air  Line 
Railroad.  This  church  was  organized  mainly  through  the 
ministerial  labors,  of  Elder  T.  K.  Pursley,  some  time  in  the 
year  1842,  and  at  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association 
held  the  same  year  at  El  Bethel  church  it  was  admitted  to 
membership  with  that.  body.  When  this  church  joined  the 
Asssociation  she  had  twenty-one  members  in  fellowship, 
and  Elder  T.  K.  Pursley  was  then  her  pastor,  who  continued 
to  discharge  his  duties  as  such  until  1850.  Elder  Thomas 
Curtis,  D.  I).,  served  in  1850-'51,  in  52-'58-'54-'55  Elder  T. 
K.  Pursley  was  again  pastor,  in  56-'57-'58  Elder  J.  Lee  serv- 
ed, in  59-'60  Elder  J.  J.  Jones,  in  '61  Elder  J.  Gibbs,  in  '62, 
Elder  T.  J.  Campbell,  in  '63  Elder  T.  K  Pursley  again 
served,  in  64-'65-'66-'67  Elder  J.  Gibbs  again  served,  in'  '68- 
'69-70  Elder  J.  K  Lee,  in  72  Elder  J.  Lee,  in  73-74  Elder 
John  Tollison,  in  76-77-78-79-'80-'81-'82  Elder  John  G. 
Carter  served  as  pastor.  Corinth  Church  has  now  a  mem- 
bership of  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  persons,  pays  to 
her  pastor  §50.00,  but  does  not  report  a  Sunday  school,  or 
other  benevolent  objects  as  being  fostered  by  her.  It  is 
hoped,  however,  her  Lord's  money  is  actively  employed  in 
some  worthy  object.  The  following  are  her  present  corps 
of  deacons  :  Z.  Philips,  John  Pettit  and  Wm.  Welchel.  Z. 
Philips,  church  clerk,  Bowlinsville,  S.  C. 


Cowpens  Church  is  situated  on  the  Air-line  railroad  in 
Spartan  burg/county,  S.  C.  at  the  station  so  called,  which  is 
about  ten  miles  southeasterly  from  the  Cowpens  battle 
ground,  from  which  historic  place   the   station    and    church 


564  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

derive  their  names.  It  is  located  about  ten  miles  west  of 
Gaffney  City,  a  flourishing  town  on  said  railroad. 

Through  the  efforts  and  ministerial  labors  of  Elders  T. 
J.  Taylor  and  J.  H.  Yarboro  the  church  was  organized  and 
constituted  on  the  13th  of  August,  1878,  of  31  members,  the 
most  of  whom  had  been  dismissed  from  other  churches  for 
this  object.  At  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association 
the  same  year  the  Cowpens  church  was  admitted  to  member- 
ship in  that  body,  J.  H.  Yarboro  being  their  pastor.  In  1880 
Elder  T.  J.  Taylor  served  as  pastor  and  in  1881-'82  Elder  J. 
G.  Carter  served  said  church. 

The  number  of  members  now  in  fellowship  is  reported 
71.  The  Minutes  contain  no  report  of  minister's  salary  or 
other  contributions  to  benevolent  objects.  The  present  corps 
of  deacons  are  A.  W.  Brown,  R.  R.  Brown  and  I.  W. 
Moore.     J.  A.  R.  Wilkins,  church  clerk. 


El  Bethel  Church  was  admitted  as  a  member  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  in  the  year  1803  at  her  session  at 
New  Salem  Church  in  Rutherford  county,  N.  C.  It  is  prob- 
ble  she  was  constituted  some  time  in  that  same  year,  the 
precise  date,  however,  we  are  unable  in  our  researches  to  as- 
certain. 

This  church  is  situated  in  Union  county,  S.  C,  on  the 
main  public  road  leading  from  Star  Farm  to  Gowdeysville 
surrounded  by  a  wealthy  and  refined  neighborhood,  the 
population  of  which  has  the  reputation  of  being  kind  and 
hospitable. 

It  appears  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Association  that  Elder- 
Jacob  Crocker  was  the  first  pastor  of  this  church  and  J.  Pet- 
ty, I.  Guyton  and  A.  Guyton,  were  among  the  first  deacons. 
The  church,  at  the  time  of  its  admission  into  the  Association, 
had  only  21  members  in  fellowship,  and  it  does  not  appear 
that  the  little  band  of  worshippers  had  any  regular  pastor 
until  after  the  removal  of  Elder  Jacob  Crocker  in  1828.  In 
that  year  Elder  W".  Walker  was  called  to  the  pastorate,  and 
continued  until  1834,  in  '31  Elder  George  Wilkie  served  in 
the  pastoral  office,  and  continued  until  '36,  from  that  time 
until  '47,  Elder  D.  Scruggs  served,  when  Elder  F.  \\T-  Littler 
John  served  from  then  to  '52,  Elder  R.  P.  Logan  served  in 
'52,  Elder  D.  Scrugers  again  served  until  56,  and  Elder  F. 
W.  Littlejohn  again  served  in  57,  Elder  J.  G.  Kindrick  in 
58,  Elder  W.  Curtis  in  '59,  Elder  I).  Scruggs  again  served 
until  '64,  Elder  W.  Hill  in  '65,  Elder  T.  W.  Smith  served 
until  '70,  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett  until  '73,  (the  year  of  his  death.) 
Elder  W.  L.  Brown  until  '81,  and  Elder  A.  McA.  Pitman 
in  '81-'82. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF   CHURCHES.  565 

The  present  membership  of  El  Bethel  is  one  hundred 
•find  eighty-nine  persons,  and  she  pays  §150.00,  pastor's  salary. 
Her  contributions  to  missions  and  other  benevolent  objects 
do  not  appear  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Association.  The 
church  is  engaged  in  Sunday  school  work,  but  does  not 
report  in  the  Minutes. 

The  following  is  her  present  corps  of  deacons:  A.  S. 
Goudelock,  W.  L.  Goudelock,  G.  T.  Wood,  J.  T.  Moore- 
iiead,  J.  D.  Jeffries.,  S.  R.  Thackston,  T.  M.  Littlejohn  and 
•J.  R.  Jeffries.  AV.  L.  Goudelock,  clerk  of  the  church,  Star 
Farm,  S.  C. 

Elder  M.  C,  Barnett's  last  resting  place  is  in  El  Bethel 
Cemetery. 

Friendship  Church  is  the  oldest  of  an}*  of  the  Broad 
River  churches,  and  agreeable  to  the  best  information  that 
we  can  get,  was  constituted  b}7  a  presbytery  of  ministers  in 
1765.  Iu  1800  the  Broad  River  Association  was  organized 
and  Friendship  then  belonging  to  the  Bethel  Association  be- 
came a  constituent  member  of  the  Broad  River  body  and  has 
continued  in  that  connection  ever  since.  The  first  pastor 
this  church  had  after  joining  the  Broad  River  Association 
■was  Elder  George  Brewton,  a  very  worthy  and  able  preacher. 
AVe  mention  the  names  of  Benj.  Bearden,  Nathaniel  Burton, 
John  Thornton  and  Sand.  Smith  who  were  once  deacons 
and  members  of  this  church  in  days  of  yore,  some  of  whom 
are  still  represented  by  w'orthy  descendants. 

There  are  166  members  reported  as  belonging  (in  1882) 
to  this  ancient  church,  but  we  do  not  rind  that  any  Sunday 
School  is  reported  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Association  or  any 
amount  of  contributions  to  the  different  objects  of  ussocia- 
tional  work.  AVe,  however,  are  well  assured  that  she  is  a 
working  body  and  has  been  the  foster  mother  of  many  pious 
christians,  some  of  whom  after  being  baptized  into  her  fel- 
lowship have  been  dismissed  and  joined  to  other  churches, 
while  many  others  have  died  and  long  since  gone  to  their 
rewards  in  the  celestial  world,  and  other,  jTet  remain  to  "hold 
i"he  fort"  and  to  welcome  into  her  watch-care  those  who  feel 
inclined  and  have  heretofore  neglected  to  enlist  themselves 
in  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer.  May  she  continue  to  be  a 
nursing  mother  and  carry  out  still  more  fullj'  the  object  of 
her  earl}'  organization  ! 

Friendship  we  believe  was  the  foster  mother  of  Elder 
Gabriel  Phillips  who  was  licensed  by  her  and  sent  out  to 
prech  the  Gospel  and  who  proved  to  be  a  bright  and  shining 
light  amongst  the  churches. 

Elder  Abram  Crow,  a  native  of  Rutherford  county,  JS". 


566  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

C,  was  for  several  years  a  member  and  fellow-laborer  with? 
Eider  Phillips  as  pastor  of  this  church.  In  later  years  Elder 
James  Hewitt  was  licensed  and  sent  out  as  a  minister  by  the 
Friendship  church,  and  Elders  J.  S.  Ezell,  T.  Dixon,  J.  G„ 
Carter  and  L.  Lankford  subsequently  became  pastors  of  this 
church.  This  old  church  reported  her  centennial  year  at  the 
session  of  the  Association  in  1865  (see  minutes).  Her  loca- 
tion is  in  Spartanburg- county,  S.  C,  about  25  miles  from 
Spartanburg  village. 

Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  Wm.  Bennett,  J.  W, 
Bennett,  A.  Akin,  J.  J.  Williams  and  E.  M.  Calvert.  The 
clerk  of  the  church  is  J.  M.  Smith,  Rockford,  S.  C. 


Gilead  Church  is  situated  in  Union  county,  S.  C,  about 
one  miles  from  Jonesville  on  the  S.  &  U.  Railroad,  was  first 
a  member  of  the  Bethel  Association  as  far  back  as  1823  ; 
was  admitted  as  a  member  of  the  Broad  Biver  Association 
at  her  session  at  Macedonia  church  in  1846,  then  represented 
by  E.  Palmer  and  D.  Mitchell.  The  precise  date  of  her  con- 
stitution we  have  not  from  our  researches  been  able  to  ascer- 
tain. We  iiud  that  while  she  was  a  member  of  the  Bethel 
Association  the  celebrated  Elder  Elias  Mitchell  and  Hezekiah 
MeDougal  were  a  part  of  her  membership,  and  labored  witn 
her  in  word  and  doctrine.  When  she  joined  the  Broad 
River  she  had  71  Members  in  fellowship,  and  has  now  (1882) 
94  member.  Elder  J.  E.  Burgess  is  her  pastor  to  whom  she 
pays  annually  $50.00.  No  report  of  a  Sunday  school  or 
contributions  to  missions,  or  other  benevolent  objects  are 
found  entered  to  her  .credit  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Association. 
The  following  ministers  have  been  her  pastors  since  she  be- 
came a- member  of  the  Broad  River  Association:  T.  K. 
'Pursley,  Dr.  F.  VV.  Littlejohn,  J.  G.  Kindriek,  D.  Scruggs, 
B.  Bonner,  M  C.  Barnett,  W.  Lee,  J.  E.  King,  J.  Tollison, 
AV.  M:  Foster  and  J.  E.  Burgess. 

Tne  Gilead  church  has  good  surroundings,  amidst 
wealth  and  refinement,  and  has  a  good  reputatiou  for  hospi- 
tality and  kindness,  especially  toward  all  those  professing  to 
belong  to  the  household  of  faith. 

Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  Thos.  T.  Foster  and 
Thos.  J.  Fowler.     J.  L.  Ward,  church  clerk,  Jonesville,  S.  C. 


Goucher  Creek  Church  is  situated  in  Spartanburg 
county,  S.  C,  about  eight  miles  southwesterly  from  Gaffney 
City  on  the  air-line  railroad  and  about  sixteen  miles  nearly 
east  of  Spartanburg  village.  This  ancient  church  was  form- 
erlv  a  member  of  the  Bethel  Association  and    was  dismissed 


f»»> 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  5 

"fro  become  a  constituent  member  of  the  Broad  Biver  Asso- 
ciation when  formed  in  the  year  1800.  The  historians  of 
the  Association  have  heretofore  failed  to  give  us  the  date  of' 
the  constitution  of  this  church,  but  according  to  information 
kept  and  transmitted  from  reliable  sources  it  was  proably 
•organized  in  the  year  1770,  and  is  the  fourth  in  point  of  age 
in  the  original  Broad  River  body.  Friendship,  Green's 
Creek,  (now  of  Green  River  Association)  and  Boiling  Spring 
(now  extinct)  being  the  oldest  in  the  order   of  their  names. 

The  Goucher  Creek  church  does  not  appear  to  have 
had  any  regular  pastor  until  1784  when  Elder  Joshua  Rich- 
ards was  engaged  and  who  continued  until  1811,  after  whiah 
the  church  was  destitute  of  a  regular  supply  until  1820, 
when  Hugh  Moore,  being  an  ordained  minister  and  member 
of  Goucher  Creek  became  her  pastor  and  in  an  irregular 
manner  continued  so  for  about  two  years,  when  about  this 
time  he  became  involved  in  legal  difficulties  and  was  deposed 
from  the  ministry. 

In  1829  Elder  H.  McDougal  became  pastor  and  in  '31 
Elder  Joshua  Richards  ixas  again  chosen  till '34,  Elder  J. 
Rainwaters  then  served  until  '38,  ElderD.  Scruggs  from  then 
to  '42,  Elder  F.  W.  Littlejohn  till  '47,  Elder  TJLMxonin  '48, 
Elder  F.  W.  Littlejohn  again  served  until  '55,  Elder  B.  Bon- 
ner was  then  chosen  till  463,  when  Elder  T.  W.  Littlejohn 
again  served  in  '64,  Eider  B.  Bonner  again  served  till  '71, 
Elder  J.  G.  Carter  then  served  until  '73  when  Elder  B. 
Bonner  served  again  till  '79,  Elder  T.  J.  Taylor  was  then 
called  to  the  pastorate  and  is  serving  in  '82. 

The  church  has  a  membership  of  198  persons,  is  wealthy 
and  refined,  kind  and  courteous  towards  strangers,  but  is  not 
credited  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Association  with  a  report  of  a 
good  Sunday  school,  or  of  contributions  to  missions  or  other 
benevolent  objects.  Surely  her  Lord's  money  is  not  laid  away 
in  a  napkin,  if  so,  it  is  hoped  it  will  be  immediately  put  into 
the  hands  of  the  exchangers,  so  that  by  the  time  of  his  coming 
He  may  receive  his  own  with  usury. 

The  following  are  the  persent  corps  of  deacons,  W.  P. 
Brown,  B.  F.  Botiner,  M.  W.  Goforth,  W.  Sam.  Lipscomb 
and  M.  A.  Littlejohn.  B.  F.  Bonner,  church  clerk,  Thickety 
Depot,  S.  C. 


Crassy  Pond  Church  is  situated  in  Spartanburg  county, 
S.  C,  on  the  Bonner  Road  about  4  miles  westerly  from  El- 
lis' Ferry  on  Main  Broad  River,  and  about  six  miles  nearly 
north  from  Gaffne\'  Cit}'  on  the  Air  Line  railroad.  A  pres- 
bytery was  convened  at  this  place  on  February  9th,  1879, 
and  the  Grassv  Pond    Church  was   constituted  according  to 


o3S  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

the  form  and  usages  of  the  Baptist  Denomination,  and  at 
the  session  of  the  -Broad  River  Asssociation  held  the  same 
year  at  State  Line  church,  she  was  admitted  to  membership- 
in  said  body.  Elder  W.  L.  Brown  was  called  to  the  pastor- 
ate and  J.  R.  Ellis,  A.  C.  Robbs,  Thomas  McCraw,  and  J, 
Jones  were  chosen  deacons.  W.  C.  S.  Wood  was  chosen 
church  clerk. 

This  church  when  constituted  numbered  only  20  persons,, 
and  now  has  an  increased  membership  of  48  persons,  and  had 
the  entertainment  of  the  session  of  1882,  which  they  did 
gracefully  and  bountifully  to  the  complete  satisfaction  of  all 
^yJlo  attended.  Elder  W.  M.  Foster  was  called  to  the  pas- 
torate in  1880  and  served  through  the  vears  of  '81  and  '82, 
and  is  an  efficient  and  worth}7  pastor.  We  are  glad  to  note 
the  fact  that  this  new  church  evinces  a  disposition  to  go  for- 
ward in  the  discharge  of  her  duties  in  reference  to  all  church 
work,  while  she  appears  courteous  and  kindly  affectionate 
towards  strangers  who  visit  their  meetings. 

May  she  prove  successful  in  contending  for  "the  form  of 
sound  words,"  and  "the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints," 
which  is  doubtless,  to  some  extent,  being  opposed  in  her  im- 
mediate vicinity.     "There  is  a  way  which  seemeth  right  unto 
a  man,  but  the  end  thereof  are  the  ways  of  death."  Pro.  14:*12. 


Macddonia  Church  is  situated  in  Spartanburg  county, 
S.  C,  about  fourteen  miles  from  Spartanburg  city  and  about 
five  miles  from  Cowpens  on  the  Air-line  railroad.  This  church 
was  after  being  constituted  in  1820  admitted  as  a  member  of 
the  Broad  River  Association  at  her  -session  at  Mountain 
Creek  of  the  same  year,  Jonathan  Guthrie  (then  a  layman) 
and  Samuel  Guthrie  being  her  representative.  She  had  then  a 
membership  ot  seventy-two  persons.  The  aforesaid  Jonathan 
Guthrie  was  soon  after  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  by  Mace- 
donia, and  became  her  pastor  in  1822  and  continued  in  that 
connection  until  the  time  of  his  defection  in  1830.  The  church 
very  properly  labored  with  him  and  through  associational  ad- 
vice and  co-operation  finally  deposed  him  from  the  discharge 
of  ministerial  work  as  a  Baptist  minister. 

After  her  troubles  with  her  truant  and  hetrodox  pastor 
the  church  had  the  good  fortune  to  engage  the  services  of  that 
worthy  man  of  God  Eider  Phillip  Ramsour  who  Served  them 
as  pastor  from  1831  to  '37,  during  which  time  much  was  ac- 
complished in  restoring  harmony  to  the  disaffected.  Elder  B. 
Hicks  was  afterwards  engage!  in  1839  and  continued  in  the 
pastorate  until  '42,  Elder  S.  Morgan  succeeded  him  till  '44, 
Dr.  F.  W.  Littlejohnthen  served  in  '44,  Elder  D.  Scruggs  then 
served  in  45,  Elder  C.  E.  W.  Lindsey  in  '46  to  49,  Elder  J.  S. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  569 

EzelitiU'52.Dr.  F.  W.  Littlejohn  again  till  '53,  Elder  J.  S. 
Ezell  again  until  '55,EJer  J.  Lee  until '62,  Elder  J.  S.  Ezell 
again  to '63.  Elder  A.  Padgett  till  '65,  Elder  W.  B.  Padgett 
until  '66,  Elder  A.  Padgett  again  till  '67,  Elder  W.  Bill  until 
'68,  Elder  J.  F.  Gibbons  till  72,  Elder  J.  G.  Carter  till  7-1, 
Elder  B.  Bonner  till  75,  Elder  J.  S.  Ezell  again  till  7(3, 
Elder  A.  D.  Davidson  to  77,  Elder  W.  G.  Moorheadtill  79, 
Elder  A.  D.  Davidson  till  '80,Elder  J.E.  Burgess  till  '82.  When 
this  long  pastoral  list  is  closely  scanned  it  will  be  seen  that 
some  of  the  ablest  and  best  of  the  Broad  River  ministers 
Yiave  been  called  to  do  pastoral  work  for  this  church  througn 
a  series  of  three  score  years  with  what  profit  God  alone,  with 
those  better  acquainted  than  we  are,  can  tell.  He  has  said, 
however,  that  His  word  shall  not  return  to  Him  void  as  to 
the  accomplishment  of  the  object  He  has  in  sending  it  broad- 
cast through  the  length  and  breadth  of  His  moral  vineyard. 
We  have  no  doubt  therefore  that  evervthin^  said  and  done 
will  be  fully  utilized  if  not  already  then  in  the  far  distant 
future. 

The  Macedonia  church  notwithstanding  her  internal 
troubles  with  one  sheJimdly  hoped  would  prove  a  shining 
light  to  the  christian  cause  and  an  honor  to  her  that  g;ave 
him  the  necessary  credentials  to  make  him  useful  has  yet 
other  things  to  glory  in.  She  has  had  many  precious  and 
reviving  seasons  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  and  is  blessed 
with  that  peace  and  harmony  so  desirable  to  the  hearts  of 
christians,  of  that  she  doubtless  will  glory. 

The  membership  of  Macedonia  is  128  persons.  Her 
present  corps  of  deacons  are  A.  Harris,  L.  B.  Davis,  Wm. 
D.  Byars  and  P.  H.  Byars.  P.  PI.  Byars  is  reported  church 
clerk,  Allgood,  S.  0. 


Mount  Ararat  Church  is  situated  in  Union  county,  S. 
C,  about  six  miles  south  easterly  from  Gafihey  City  on  the 
Air  Line  railroad,  and  three  miles  west  of  Main  Broad  River, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Draytonsville.  It  was  constituted  by  a 
Presbytery  some  time  in  the  year  1826,  and  admitted  to 
membership  in  the  Broad  River  Association  the  same  year 
at  its  session  at  Macedonia  church,  having  a  membership  at 
that  time  of  31  persous.  Isaac  Peeler,  Joseph  Guyton,  and 
James  Dunn  were  among  the  first  deacons  of  the  Ararat 
church,  and  W.  W.  Guyton  was  the  church  clerk. 

Elder  W.  Walker  was  the  first   pastor,  who  continued 

until  1831.     Elder  J.  G.  Laudrum  succeeded  him  the  next 

year,  Elder  B.  Hicks  the  next  three  years  (till   1834),  Elder 

George  Wilkie  next  served  until  '38,  Elder  E.   M.    Chaffin 

72 


570  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

the  next  year,  Elder  T.  K.  Pursley  then  served  until  '44, 
Elder  S.  Morgan  till  '46,  Elder  -T.  Dixon  then  served  until 
'47.  (In  1847-'48-'49  the  church  had  no  pastor.)  In  1850-'51- 
'52-'53  Elder  J.  S.  Ezell  was  pastor,  in  '54  Elder  J.  Suttle 
served,  '55  Elder  F.  W.  Littlejohn,  in  '56-'57-'58  Elder  M. 
Mullinax,  in  '59  Elder  J.  J.  Jones,  in  '60  J.  Lee.  (in  '6I-'62 
no  pastor),  in  '63  Elder  J.  S.  Ezell  again  was  pastor,  in  '65- 
;66-'67-'68  Elder  J.  Gibbs.  in  '69-'70-'71  J.  G.  Carter,  in  '72 
Elder  Wm.  Curtis,  in  '73-74  Elder  John  Tollison,  in  '75 
Elder  J.  G.  Carter  was  again  pastor,  in  76-'77-'78-'79-'80 
Elder  T.  J.  Taylor  was  called  to  the  pastorate,  and  in  '81-'82 
Elder  W.  L.  Brown  was  the  pastor. 

The  membership  of  this  church  has  increased  to  137. 
The  present  corps  of  deacons  are  Jacob  Guyton,  Chester 
Stacy,  R.  Elmore,  G.  W.  McCowan,  T.  J.  Patrick  and  W. 
D.  Alexander.     J.  M.  Peeler,  church  clerk,  Pine  Grove,  S.  C. 


Mount  Joy  Church  is  situated  in  Union  County,  S.  C, 
about  five  miles  from  Skull  Shoals  on  Pacolet  and  about  ten 
miles  from  Union  Court  House. 

This  church  was  mainly  organized  through  the  ministe- 
rial labors  of  Elder  T.  J.  Taylor  and  constituted  November 
30th,  1876,  and  at  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association 
the  same  year  at  Friendship  church  it  was  admitted  as  a 
.member  of  said  bodv,  having  at  that  time  a  membership  of 
23  persons.  In  1878  Elder^T.  J.  Taylor  was  called  to  the 
pastorate  and  has  continued  in  the  place  ever  since. 

The  following  is  the  present  corps  of  deacons:  Robert 
Little,  Daniel  Garner  and  A.  A.  Gault.  J.  II.  Mclvissick 
is  church  clerk,  Kelton,  S.   C. 

The  church  now  numbers  61  members,  and  in  the  ab- 
sence of  any  report  of  Sunday  school  or  contributions  for 
missions  or  other  benevolent  objects,we  feel  sure  with  such  a 
pastor  the  church  will  prove  a  working  body  in  the  cause  of 
the  Master. 


New  Pleasant  Church  is  situated  in  Spartanburg  coun- 
ty, S.  G,  near  Cowpens  battle-ground.  This  church  was 
constituted  on  October  26th,  1878,  by  a  Presbytery  consist- 
ing of  Elders  W.  D.  Lancaster,  J.  S.  Ezell  and  B.  Bonner, 
and  had  a  membership  of  42  persons  in  fellowship  with 
Elder  W.  D.  Lancaster  as  pastor,  and  in  1879,  at  the  session 
of  the  Broad  River  Association,  it  was  admitted  as  a  member 
of  said  body.  In  1881-'82v  Elder  A.  C.  Irvin  was  in  the  pas- 
torate, and  the  membership  was  increased  to  46,  and  the 
prospects  very  good  for  a  still  larger  and  growing  interest. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  571 

There  is  ample  material  in  the  surroundings  of  this  church 
to  build  up  a  large  and  self-sustaining  body.  The  present 
corps  of  deacons  are  J.  II.  Ezell  and  J.  M.  Price.  J.  II. 
Ezell  is  church  clerk,  Ezell,  S.  C. 


Pacolet  Church  is  situated  in  Union  county,  S.  C,  at 
or  near  the  Skull  Shoals  on  Pacolet  River,  from  which  stream 
the  church  derives  its  name.  In  our  researches  we  find  this 
church  an  ancient  organization,  constituted  previous  to  1804, 
and  a  member  first  of  the  Bethel  Association  with  which  it 
remained  until  the  year  1818,  when  it  was  addmitted  into 
the  Broad  River  Association.  The  precise  date  of  its  con- 
stitution we  are  unable  to  ascertain.  Elder  Jacob  Crocker 
appears  from  the  Minutes  to  have  been  its  first  pastor  after 
joining  the  Broad  River  Association,  and  A.  Summerford,  I. 
McKissick,  Nathan  Pettit  and  Thompson  Clayton  were 
probably  the  first  deacons.  Elder  Jacob  Crocker  (assisted 
by  Elder  Isaac  McKissick7  part  of  the  time)  supplied  the 
church  until  1825.  Efd'Cr  Isaac  McKissick  was  then  pastor 
for  1826,  when  Pacolet  church  and  Head  of  Enoree  were 
dismissed  that  year  to  join  other  bodies.  She  then  does  not 
■appear  in  the  list  of  Broad  River  churches  until  the  session 
of  1844  at  Providence  church,  when  she  was  again  admitted 
to  membership  in  the  Broad  River  body,  dismissed  then 
from  the  Bethel  Association  with  Elder  J.  G.  Kindrick,  her 
worthy  paster  who  still  continued  to  serve  as  her  pastor  (as- 
sisted by  Elder  M.  Mullinax  several  years)  until  1853  when 
Elder  M.  Mullinax  served  for  '54,  after  which  Elder  J.  G. 
Kindrick  resumed  his  pastoral  labors  until  '63,  Elder  M. 
Mullinax  again  serving  in  '64,  Elder  J.  G.  Kindrick  then 
resumed  pastoral  Avork  again  and  served  until  '72  and  in  this 
year  he  finished  his  labors  here  upon  earth  which  had  been 
very  abundant,  and  went  to  his  reward  above.  Elder  W".  G. 
Moorehead  was  the  successor  of  Elder  J.  Gf  Kindrick  for 
1872,  Elder  W.  L.  Brown  in  '73-'74-'75-'76  was  pastor,  Elder 
T.  J.  Taylor  in  '77-'78-'79-'80,  Elder  A.  McA.  Pitman  in  '81- 
'82. 

Pacolet  church  has*  a  membership  of  149  persons  and 
reports  minister's  salary  $225.00.  She  lacks  system  in  re- 
porting Sunday  schools  and  contributions  for  missions  and 
other  benevolent  objects,  which  should  be  done  in  the  Min- 
utes of  the  Association. 

The  following  is  the  present  corps  of  deacons,  A.' F. 
Kendrick,  J.  J.  Kendrick,  E.  Wood  and  J.  H.  Spears.  I.  J. 
Spears,  church  clerk,  Skull  Shoals,  S.  C. 

t 


572  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

Pacolet  Church  (Ko.  2)  is  situated  in  Spartanburg 
county,  S.  C,  on  the  S.  &  U.  railroad  in  the  little  town  of 
that  name  about  11  miles  easterly  from  Spartanburg  village, 
and  near  the  Skull  Shoals  on  Pacolet  river. 

This  church  is  said  to  have  been  constituted  March  25th, 
1871,  with  10  members,  but  does  not  appear  from  the  Minu- 
tes of  the  Association  to  have  been  separately  represented 
until  the  session  of  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1880,  it 
then  had  62  member  reported  but  no  pastor  till  '82,  when 
the  membership  of  that  year  was  reported  at  eighty -seven, 
and  Elder  L.  Vaughn  in  the  pastorate  at  a  salary  of  $75.00. 
The  following  are  the  deacons  of  this  church:  Elijah  Bar- 
ne„.,  Elijah  P.  Brown,  Win,  Coleman,  T.  C.  Brown,  W.  1). 
Wilkins.     G.  W.  Brown,  church  clerk,  Pacolet  Depot,  S.  C. 

Note:— In  the  absence  of  more  full  information,  we  state  that, 
the  original  Pacolet  church,  by  reason  of  a  railroad  location  near  it, 
divided  into  Nos.  1  and  2,  as  a  matter  of  convenience,  affording  the 
opportunity  to  establish  a  church  in  the  railroad  town  for  those  de- 
siring it,  while  those  wishing  to  remain  with  the  old  or  first  organi- 
zation were  permitted  to  do  so.  Two  churches  instead  of  one  was 
the  result,  which  we  hope  may  tend  to  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ. 


Piedmont  Church  is  situated  on  the  Island  Ford  road 
3J  miles  northerly  of  Coulter's  Ford  bridge  on  Pacolet  river, 
and  about  the  same  distance  south  westerly  of  Cowpens  bat- 
tle-ground in  Spartanburg  county,  S.  C.  This  church  was 
constituted  August  24th,  18 — ,  by  a  Presbytery  consisting 
of  Elders  W.  T.  Tate  and  A.  J.  Bonner,  and  united  with  the 
Broad  River  Association  at  its  session  the  same  year  at  Zion 
Hill  church.  Its  present  corps  of  deacons  are  J.  F.  Quinu, 
J.  C.  Bonner  and  A.  B.  Martin.  Elder  A.  J.  Bonner  is  the 
pastor  now  in  office. 


Providence  Church  is  situated  in  Spartanburg  county, 
S.  C,  on  the  old  Deer's  Ferry  road  about  1J  miles  nearly 
north  of  Gaffney  City  on  the  Air  Line  railroad,  and  about 
6  miles  southerly  from  Ellis'  Ferry  on  Main  Broad  River. 

This  church  was  constituted  sometime  in  the  year  1803, 
and  was  admitted  to  membership  in  the  Broad  River  Asso- 
ciation at  her  session  the  same  year  at  Xew  Salem  church  in 
Rutherford  county,  N.  C.  It  does  not  appear  that  she  had 
any  regular  pastor  until  1812,  when  Elder  Joshua  Richards 
formerly  a  member  and  pastor  of  Goucher  Creek  church 
joined  by  letter,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  1840. 
Elder  Spencer  Morgan  was  licensed  to  preach  by  this  church 
in  1830,  and  doubtless  labored  with   Elder  Richards  a  nor- 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF   CHURCHES.  573 

tion  of  the  time.  In  1840  he  was  called  to  the  pastorate 
himself,  and  filled  the  place  until  '44,  when  Elder  T.  K. 
Pursley  served  in '45,  from  then  to '47  Elder  Spencer  Morgan 
again  served,  from  then  to  '50  Elder  D.  Scruggs  was  pastor, 
from  then  -to  '53  Elder  F.  W.  Littlejohn  served,  from  then 
4o  '56  Elder  Joseph  Suttle,  from  then  to  '58  Elder  T.  Curtis, 
I).  IX,  was  in  the  pastorate.  In  1858-59  Elder  P.  R.  Elam, 
from  then  to  '64  Elder  E,  A.  Crawley,  D.  D.,  served  this 
church,  from  then  to  '66  Elder  Wade  Hill,  from  then  to  '67 
Elder  J.  8.  Ezell,  from  then  to  '68  Elder B.  Bonner  served, 
from  then  to  '69  Elder  L.  C.  Ezell,  from  then  to  '72  Elder 
J.  G.  Carter,  from  then  to  :76  Elder  T.  H.  Mullinax,  from 
then  to  '79  Elder  P.  R,  Elam  again  served,  from  then  to  '80 
Elder  J,  G.  Carter  again  served,  in  '80-'82  Elder  G.  P.  Ham- 
rick  was  pastor. 

The  membership  of  this  venerable  church  is  now  257  per- 
sons. She  pays  pastor's  salaVy  of  eighty-two  dollars  (?) 
Makes  no  report  of  con^rthlitions  to  missions  or  other  benev- 
olent objects.  We,  however,  know  that  she  is  engaged  in 
Sunday  school  work,  but  makes  no  report  in  the  Minutes 
•of  the  Association.  The  present  corps  of  deacons  are  P.  0. 
Lemmons.  B.  F.  Camp,  church  clerk,  Gaffney  City,  S.  C. 
The  Providence  church  has  very  good  surroundings, 
many  of  the  members  are  intelligent  well-to-do  agriculturists. 
They  are  a  church  going  and  church  loving  people,  always 
hospitable  to  strangers,  while  humbugs  or  pretenders,  are 
generally  avoided  by  them  without  regard  to  outside  appear- 
ances. Many  precious  souls  have  passed  through  this 
church  to  their  heavenlv  reward,  while  their  zeal  in  winning 
souls  to  the  cause  of  the  Master  seems  in  no  way  yet  abated. 
The  following  representative  names  once  belonging  to 
this  church  will  long  be  remembered  by  many  of  the  present 
fnembership;  The  Camp's,  Gaffney 's,  Robertson's,  Gordon's, 
Daffern's,  Amos',  Morgan's,  Cooper's,  Byars',  Turner's, 
Sarratt's,  etc.,  most  of  whom  have  crossed  over  the  river 
into  the  promised  land,  and  are  now  basking  under  the  shade 
of  the  paradisaical  trees  in  the  haven  of  rest. 


Sandy  Springs  Church  is 'situated  in  the  northeast  corner 
of  Polk  county,  N.  C,  about  one-half  mile  south  of  Mills 
Gap  road  and  on  the  head  waters  of  Buck  Creek  near 
Sbield's  X  Roads  and  was  constituted  by  a  presbytery  in 
Februarv  1858,  and  the  same  vear  joined  the  Green  River 
Association,  and  remained  a  member  of  that  body  until  the 
session  of  the  Broad  River  Association  held  at  Arrowood 
church  in  1872  when  she  became  a    member   of  said    body, 


574  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES". 

having  a  membership  of  70  persons  and  Elder  A.  Padgett  as 
her  pastor.  In  1874  Elder  W.  D.  Lancaster  was  chosen  the 
pastor,  and  in  '75  Elder  A.  D.  Davidson  was  pastor  for  that 
year.  In  1876  Elder  W.  D.  Lancaster  was  again  called  to* 
the  pastorate  and  is  now  (188-2)  in  the  pastoral  office.  The 
chnrch  has  now  a  membership  of  114  persons  who  appear  to- 
be  a  devoted  and  faithful  band  of  worshippers. 

Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  8.  D.  Splawn,  J.  T. 
Splawn,  J.  E.  Prince  and  13.  B.  Lancaster.  J.  E.  Prince- 
church  clerk,  Sandy  Springs,  1ST.  C. 

We  are  unable  to  learn  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Associ- 
ation whether  this  church  is  engaged  in  Sunday  school  work 
or  not,  as  no  report  is  made  from  her  of  such  workTor  of  con- 
tributions to  missions  or  other  benevolent  objects.  It  is 
hoped  these  important  matters  are  being  attended  to  in  the 
church's  own  peculiar  way,  and  not  by  any  means  entirely 
neglected. 


State  Line  Church  is  situated  in  Spartanburg  county, 
S.  C,  a  short  distance  south  of  the  North  Carolina  State 
line  which  gives  rise  to  its  name.  It  is  northwesterly  of 
Gaffney  City  about  six  miles  and  southwesterly  from  Set- 
tlemeyer's  Ferry  on  Main  Broad  River  about  three  miles. 

The  original  State  Line  church  was  constituted  in  1796% 
and  was  one  of  the  constituent  members  of  the  Broad 
River  Association  when  organized  in  1800  this  old  church  first 
of  the  Bethel  Association  and  the  nursing  mother  of  Drury 
Dobbins  and  Berryman  Hicks  had  been  disbanded  sometime 
previous  to  1824,  and  in  that  year  a  reconstruction  or  re- 
modeling of  the  church  took  place  a  short  distance  from 
where  the  original  church  was  located,  and  at  the  session  of 
the  Broad  River  Association  in  that  year  at  Head  of  First 
Bro*id  River  churAch  the  reconstructed  body  was  admitted  to 
membership  in  said  Association  having  a  membership  of  29 
persons  with  Elder  Zechariah  Blackwell  as  their  pastor  who 
continued  until  1831  to  serve  in  that  capacity.  Elder  Joshua 
Richards  succeeded  him  and  was  the  pastor  until  '34,  when 
Elder  Drury  Scruggs,  a  nephew  of  Elder  Drury  Dobbins  (who 
was  a  member  of  this  church  and  had  been-  licensed  and  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  ministry  by  her)  was  called  to 
serve  as  pastor.  He  continued  until  1854,  from  then  till  '58 
Elder  W.  Curtis,  L.  L.  D.  served,  from  then  to  '63  Elder  D. 
Scruggs  again  served,  (his  pastorate  ending  with  his  troubles 
in  said  church  on  a  charge  of  immoral  conduct,  by  reason  of 
which  his  deposition  from  the  ministry  resulted.)  Elder  W. 
Curtis   served   the    church    in    1864,   Elder  J.  M.  Williams 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF   CHURCHES.  575 

served  from  '05  to  '68,  Elder  A.  McMahan  served  in  '68  to 
-73,  Elder  A.  A.  McSvvain  from  73  to  74,  Elder  A.  D.  Da- 
vidson from  74  to  70,  from  76  to  77  Elder  J.  G.  Carter 
served,  in  77  to  78  Elder  J.  E.  Burgess,  in  78  to  79  Elder 
J.  II.  Yarboro,  in  79  to  '82  Elder  A.  McMahan  was  pastor. 

This  church  has  now  a  membership  of  208  persons,  and 
jpays  to  her  pastor  a  salary  of  $50.00.  Her  present  corps  of 
deacons  are  R.  MeCraw,  J  as.  Philips,  T.  Yassy,  K,  C.  Wat- 
kins,  J.  T.  Vassy,  M.  B.  Scruggs.  J.  T.  Wood,  clerk,  State 
Line,  S.  C. 

No  report  is  published  in  Minutes  of  Suntlay  school 
work,  or  contributions  for  missions  or  other  benevolent  6b- 
jects.  Still  we  doubt  not  that  she  is  laboring  in  some  way  to 
build  up  the  waste  places  of  Ziou. 


Unity  Church  is  situated  in  Union  county,  S.  C. ;  was 
a  member  of  the  Bethel  Association  as  far  back  as  1823,  and 
joined  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1842,  having  a  mem- 
bership at  that  time  of  45  persons  with  Elder  R.  P.  Logan 
pastor.  Through  aid  ofthe  Association  Unity  lias  been  built  up 
so  that  she  numbers  103  members,  and  is  so  far  self-sustain- 
ing now  as  to  be  able  to  pay  her  pastor's  salary  of  $40.00. 
This  feeble  church  has  had  ministerial  aid  from  quite  a  num- 
ber of  preachers,  Elder  R.  P.  Logan  labored  with  them  till 
1845,  from  '47  to  '49  Elder  Madison  Mul'linax  was  pastor, 
in  '49-'50-'51  Elder  J.  Newland  served,  in  '52-'53  Elder  J.  S. 
Ezell,  '55-'56  Elder  M.  Mullinax  ascain  served,  in  '57-'58 
Elder  J.  L.  Harris,  in  '68  Elder  J.  F.  Hullendcr,  in  71 
Elder  W.  G.  Morehead  served,  in  73-74-75  Elder  John 
Tollison,  76  Elder  T.  J.  Taylor,  in  77  Elder  John  Tollison 
aarain  served,  in  78  Elder  M.  Mullinax  a^ain  served,  and  in 
79-'80-'81-'82  Elder  T.  H.  Mullinax  served  in  the  pastorate. 

We  learn  that  through  the  aid  given  this  church  by  the 
Broad  River  Association,  in  missionary  operations,  it  is  now 
able  to  sustain  itself,  and  render  good  service  to  the  Master, 
and  we  therefore  su^o-est  that  a  s;ood    Sunday  school  be  or- 

CO  O  « ' 

ganized,and  that  all  ofthe  benevolent  objects  ofthe  Associ. 
ation  be  aided  by  the  church  according  to  her  ability,  then 
will  her  prosperity  be  assured.  The  present  corps  of  dea- 
cons are  W.  Neal.  J.  L.  Huffman,  church  clerk,  Hickory 
Grove,  S.  C. 


Zion  Hill  Church  is  situated  in  Spartanburg  county, 
S.  C,  about  3  miles  south  westerly  from  the  town  of  Clifton 
on  Pacolet  river,  and  on  the  south  side  ofthe  Air  Line  rail- 
road, about  3  miles  east  of  Spartanburg  village. 


•5  76  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

This  church  was  constituted  by  a  Presbytery  consisting 
of  Elders  J.  G.  Laud-rum  and  Warren  Drunimond,  with 
several  deacons  from  other  churches,  on  March  14th,  1840,, 
and  was  admitted  to  membership  in  the  Broad  River  Asso- 
ciation at  its  session  the  same  year  at  Concord  church  in. 
Rutherford  county,  IS".  C,  having  37  members  in  fellowship, 
and  Elder  W.  Drummond  in  the  pastorate.  Since  then. 
Elder  T.  K.  Pursley  served  as  pastor  from  1844  to  '47. 
Elders  Thomas  and  Win.  Curtis  preached  for  this  church  in 
1848,'1851-'52-'53,  in  '54  Elder  A.  Padgett  served,  in  '55-'56,. 
Elder  J.  L'ee,  in  '57  to  60  Elder  R.  Woodruff,  in  '60  Elder 
F.  W.  Littlejohn,  in  '61  Elder  David  Billiard,  in  '62, 
Elder  L.  Vauguu,  in  '63  Elder  W.  Curtis,  from  '65  to 
'69  Elder  L. -Vaughn,  from  '69  to  72  Elder  M.  V.  B.  Lank- 
ford,  from  '72  to  77  Elder  J.  M.  Williams,  from  '78  to  '81 
Elder  J.  E.  Burgess,  in  '81-'82  Elder  J.  G.  Carter, 

The  Zion  Hill  church  has  now  a  membership  of  71  per- 
sons, and  is  becoming  an  energetic  and  working  body.  She 
reports  pastors  salary  at  $50.00;  no  report,  however,  is  made 
in  the  Minutes  of  the  Association  of  Sunday  school  work, 
or  contributions  to  missions  or  other  benevolent  objects.  The 
church  doubtless  has  her  own  peculiar  methods  of  working 
for  the  Master. 

Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  John  Coen,  James. 
Wood,  H.  J.  Lolesby,  Marshal  Kirby,  and  G.  W.  Ally. 
James  Wood,  church  clerk,  Spartanburg,  S.  C. 

Elder  E.  McAbee  was  licensed  and  ordained  to  the 
ministry  by  this  church  in  June,  1841. 


-o — o- 


CHAPTER  VIII, 


SKETCHES  OP  THE   CHURCHES  OF  THE  KING'S  MOUNTAIN  BAPTIST 

ASSOCIATION. 

Antioch  Church  is  situated  in  York  county,  S.  C,  about 
four  miles  nearly  due  west  from  the  King's  Mountain  battle 
grounds  and  two  miles  southeasterly  from  Whitaker'6  sta- 
tion on  the  air-line  railroad. 

This  church  was  constituted  in  the  year  1815.  In  1814 
it  became  an  arm  of  Buffalo  church,  and  through  the  minis- 
terial labors  of  Elder    William  Martin,   (Cedar  Billie,)  and 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  577 

others  the  membership  became  sufficiently  strong  for  a  con- 
stitution. A  presbytery  was  convened  of  Elders  G.  Wm. 
Martin,  Drury  Dobbins  and  other  ministers  together  with 
the  deacons  of  the  adjacent  or  nearest  churches,  and  the  sev- 
eral persons  baptized  and  dismissed  from  other  churches  for 
this  object,  were  declared  by  the  presbytery  convened,  a  reg 
ular  church  of  the  Baptist  faith  an  order  to  be  known  by  the 
name  and  style  of  Antioch  Baptist  Church. 

Eider  W.  Martin  was  the  first  pastor,  and  Abraham 
Hardin,  Edward  Bird  and  Sherrod  James  were  selected  the 
first  deacons.     Edward  Bird  was  appointed  church  clerk. 

Antioch  joined  the  Broad  River  Association  at  her  ses- 
sion in  1815,  and  remained  a  constituent  member  of  that 
body  until  1873.  She  was  then  dismissed,  and  joined  the 
King's  Mountain  at  her  session  the  same  year.  This  church 
has  been  a  nursing  mother  to  many  of  the  Baptist  family, 
and  at  times  has  had  enrolled  on  the  pages  of  her  church 
book  a  very  large  membership,  many  of  whom  adorned  the 
christian  profession  with  orderly  and  profitable  lives.  Many 
of  her  members  have  emigrated  to  other  States,  while  many 
others  have  paid  the  debt  of  nature  and  gone  to  their  final 
rewards,  while  many  others  yet  remain  within  her  folds  to 
call  her  blessed  for  the  fostering  care  she  has  been  enabled 
to  extend  to  them  from  time  to  time  in  their  travail  and  sore 
trials  to  escape  the  wiles  of  the  great  adversary. 

Elder  George  Wilkie  was  ordained  in  1819  and  was 
chosen  pastor  of*  the  church  in  1820,  and  remained  in  that 
relation  eighteen  years,  till  1837,  when  he  emigrated  to  the 
State  of  Georgia.  Elder  T.  K.  Pursley  was  pastor  in  1838 
to  '40,  Elder  R.  P.  Logan  in  '41,  T.  K  Purslev  again  in  '42- 
'43,  Elder  W.  Hill  in  '44  to  '48,  Elder  L.  McCurry  in  '49-'50, 
Elder  W.  Hill  again  in  '51.  The  King's  Mountain  Associa- 
tion was  formed  this  year  but  Antioch  still  remained  with 
the  Broad  Eiver  until  1873.  'Elder  P.  R.  Elam  became  her 
pastor  in  '74-75,  Elder  J.  G.  Carter  in  '76-'77,  Elder  T. 
Dixon  in  '78-'79,  Elder  J.A.  White  in  '80  to  '82. 

Antioch  church  has  at  present  193  members  and  a  Sun- 
day School  of  fifty  scholars,  superintended  by  E.  Hardin  in 
good  working  order. 

The  contributions  to  pastor  and  other  objects  for  1882 
is  reported  $258.55.  Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  H. 
Borders,  D.  R.  Bell,  E.  Hardin,  F.  H.  Dover,  J.  R.  Dixon 
and  D.  R.  Bird.     J.  R.  Dixon,  church  clerk,  Whitaker,  S.  C. 

Antioch  can  claim  the  honor  under    God  of  being  the 
foster  mother  of  Elders  T.  Dixon  and  R.  P.  Logan,  two  min- 
isters of  some  prominence  in  the   Broad   River  and  King's 
Mountain  Associations. 
73 


578  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

Beaverdam  Church  is  situated  in  Cleveland  countv,  X. 
C,  a  short  distance  south  of  the  main  public  road  leading 
from  the  town  of  Shelbv  to  Rutherfordton,  near  Beaverdam 
creek,  from  which  stream  it  derives  its  name.  In  the  vear 
1850,  religious  meetings  were  begun  to  be  held  by  various 
ministers,  and  the  prospect  for  founding  a  church  being 
good,  a  presbytery  having  this  object  in  view  was  ^convened 
December  23d,  1850,  and  proceeded  to  organize  42  persons 
into  a  regular  church  to  be  known  by  the  name  and  style  of 
the  Beaverdam  Baptist  Church;  and  at  the  session  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  the  same  year  was  admitted  to 
membership  with  that  body  ;  and  with  other  churches  it  was 
dismissed  to  become  a  constituent  member  of  Kind's  Moun- 
tain  bod}T  formed  shortly  afterwards.  It  remained  in  that 
connection  until  the  session  of  1860,  and  then  seceeded  and 
took  part  in  the  organization  of  the  "Constitutional"  King's 
Mountain  Association,  until  in  1866,  when  the  matters  of 
difference  were  settled  by  a  convention  of  churches.  Elder 
L.  H.  McSwain  had  served  as  pastor  in  1854,  Elder  R.  Pos- 
ton  then  to  '57,  Elder  Vm.  McSwain  in  '58,  Elder  R. Poston 
in  '59,  Elder  A.  A.  McSwain  in  '60.  After  the  schism, 
Elder  L.  H.  McSwain  was  pastor  till  '68,  Elder  L.  C.  Ezell 
from  then  to  '72,  Elder  M.  Pannel  in  '73,  Elder  T.  H.  Mul- 
linax  in  '75,  Elder  R.  Poston  in  '76,  Elder  G.  M.  Webb 
till  '78,  and  Elder  J.  M.  Bridges  till  '82. 

The  church  now  numbers  207  member,  and  has  a  Sunday 
school  of  70  scholars  superintended  by  J.  L.  Wray,  in  good 
working  order.  Anuual  contributions  to  pastors,  missions, 
etc.,  is  reported  at  8136.95.  Her  present  corps  of  deacons 
are  David  Hamrick,  Cornelius  Green,  George  McSwain,  J.  L. 
Wrav  and  George  McSwain.  Jr.  J.  T.  Harrill,  church  clerk, 
Shelby,  K  C. 

This  church  has  the  honor  of  sending  Elders  J.  H.  Yar- 
boro  and  M.  Pannel  into  the  Gospel  field. 


Bethel  Church  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  Broad 
River  Association,  but  was  dismissed  therefrom  for  the  pur- 
pose of  becoming- a  constituent  member  of  the  King's  Moun- 
tain body  in  1851.  She  was  constituted  June  4th,  1847,  and 
is  situated  in  Rutherford  county,  N".  C,  on  the  Piney  Moun- 
tain road,  about  10  miles  south  easterly  from  Rutherfordton 
and  twelve  miles  north  easterly  from  Shelby,  N.  C.  and  about 
four  miles  nearlv  east  from  Forest  Citv. 

Brethren  G.  R.  Hamrick  and  W.  H.  Hardin  were  cho- 
sen the  first  deacons,  and  W.  H.  Hardin  acted  as  church  clerk. 

The  Bethel  church  was  organized  mainly  through  the 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  579 

labors  of  Elders  Dove  Pannel  and  William  Harrill,  and  had 
at  first  only  25  members.  She,  however,'  is  stronger  in  point 
of  members  than  she  ever  was;  numbering1  at  this  time  106 
members  on  her  church  book,  and  has  a  very  good  meeting 
house,  and  apparently  in  good  working  condition,  having  a 
Sabbath  school  of  122  scholars  superintended  by  I).  N.  Ham- 
rick,  which  of  course  has  a  progressive  tendency  in  point  of 
religious  interest.  After  the  organization  of  this  church, 
Elder  Wm.  Harrill  was  first  called  to  the  pastorate  for  a  few 
years,  when  about  1855,  Elder  D.  Pannel  had  the  pastoral 
care  for  a  time,  succeeded  by  Wm.  McSwain  for  a  year. 
After  which  he  (Pannel)  again  resumed  the  pastoral  relation 
and  continued  until  1860,  when  the  schism  about  temperance 
divided  the  Association.  The  Bethel  church  affiliating  with 
the  seceding  part}',  they  were  no  longer  of  the  regular  King's 
Mountain  Association  until  the  niatter  of  difference  was  ad- 
judicated and  settled  by  a  convention  of  churches  in  1866. 
Since  then  Elder  J.  H.  Yarboro  was  pastor  in  1867,  Elder 
D.  Pannell  in  '68,  Elder  T.  J.  Campbell  then  became  pastor 
till  73'  Elder  J.  J.  Jones  till  74.  Elder  D.  Pannell  again  in 
'75,  Elder  A.  A.  McSwain  in  '76-77,  Elder  T.  J.  Campbell 
again  in  '78,  and  Elder  A.  A.  McSwain  in  '79-'80-'81.  D.  IS. 
Hamrick,  church  clerk,  Mooresboro,  IS.  C. 


Bethlehem  Church  was  formerly  one  of  the  Broad  River 
churches  but  joined  the  King's  Mountain  Association  in  1854. 
In  the  year  1841  several  Baptists  living  in  the  vicinity  of  White 
Plains,  being  remote  from  anv  church  of  their  faith  and 
order  thought  it  expedient  to  build  a  meeting  house  and  ask 
the  church  at  Antioch  to  extend  to  that  place  an  arm  to  re- 
ceive members,  which  request  was  granted,  and  after  the 
holding  of  services  at  different  times  by  Elder  R.  P.  Logan 
and  other  ministers,  and  the  reception  and  baptism  of  several 
persons,  a  presbytery  of  Elders  Drury  Dobbins  and  R.  P. 
Logan  together  with  the  deacons  of  the  surrounding  churches 
was  convened  atthe  meetinghouse  mentioned  (which  is  about 
a  mile  south  of  where  the  present  Bethlehem  church  is  now 
situate,)  and  proceeded  to  constitute  a  church  of  the  follow- 
ing persons  :  Elder  R.  P.  Logan,  Belinda  Logan,  James 
Altom,  Elizabeth  Altom,  Zechariah  Earles,  Preston 
Harmon,  Elizabeth  Harmon,  Elijah  Spurlin,  Susan  Spurlin, 
Nancy  Collins,  JSTathen  Earles,  Mariah  Lutz,  Benjamin  Wat- 
terson,  Sarah  Spurlin,  Elizabeth  Spurlin,  John  McArthur, 
William  Camp,  Mary  Patterson,  David  H.  Harmon,  Mary 
Watterson,  Louisa  Earles,  Sarah  Earles,  Jemima  Earles, 
Martha  Jarrall,  Talitha  McArthur  and  Fanny  Camp,  which 

t 


5S0  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

took  place  agreeably  to  the  forms  an  J  usages  of  the  Baptists 
on  the  16th  of  July*1842. 

Brethren  Zechariah  Earles,  James  Alton  and  Preston 
Harmon  were  the  first  deacons,  and  the  church  records  were 
kept  by  Elder  K.  P.  Logan  until  B.  Goforth  joined  the 
church,  who  was  the  first  regularly  appointed  clerk. 

The  Bethlehem  church  is  situated  in  Cleveland  county, 
K".  C,  on  the  Dixon's  gap  road  leading  from  Shelby,  N.  C, 
to  Yorkville,  S.  C,  about  ten  miles  southeast  of  Shelby  and 
two  miles  northwest  from  where  the  Air-line  railroad  crosses 
the  Dixon's  Gap  road,  and  five  miles  nearly  west  from  the 
town  of  King's  Mountain.  The  location  is  one  of  great  beau- 
ty and  the  lot  was  presented  to  the  church  by  the  late  Dr. 
Thomas  Williams,  of  Shelby,  upon  which  the  brethren  have 
erected  a  first  class  wooden  structure  of  ample  dimentions  to 
seat  a  large  congregation  of  people.  The  church,  at  pres- 
ent, numbers  210  persons  and,  although  pretty  much  sur- 
rounded by  other  denominations,  is  in  a  progressive  and 
steady  movement  onward  in  her  work  in  the  vineyard  of  the 
Master.  She  has  an  excellent  Sunday  school  of  seventy -five 
scholars  superintended  by  L.  M.  Logan,  which  appears  to  be 
doing  much  good. 

Elder  G.  P.  Hamrick  is  the  present  pastor,  who  renders 
faithful  services.  This  church,  like  nearly  all  Baptist  churches, 
has  had  quite  a  number  of  pastors.  In  1842  to  '45  Elder  K. 
P.  Lo^an  had  charge,  Elder  T.  Dixon  in  '46-'47,  Elder  W. 
B.  Padgett  in  '48-'49,  Elder  B.  E.  Rollins  in  '50  and  R.  P. 
Logan  again  in  '51,  she  then  had  no  pastor  until  '54.  She 
joined  the  King's  Mountain  Association  and  had  Elder  A. 
J.  Cansler,  who  continued  until  '57,  Elder  Wade  Hill  in  '57, 
Elder  R.  P.  Logan  was  then  retained  until  '65,  in  "65  Elder 
L.  M.  Berry  was  pastor,  and  Elder  A.  A.  MeSvvain  in  '66-'67, 
Elder  P.  R.  Elam  in  '68  to  "80,  Elder  G.  P.  Hamrick  from 
*81  to  present  time.  The  church  has  had  some  very  inter- 
resting  revival  meetings  and  quite  a  number  have,  we  trust, 
been  born  of  the  Spirit  through  her  instrumentality.  Her 
present  corps  of  deacons  are  T.  W.  Harmon,  R.  U.  Patter- 
son, John  Barber,  Thos.  Bell  and  Dr.  J.  A.  Wray.  The 
present  church  clerk  is  L.  M.  Logan, King's  Mountain,  N.  C. 
Annual  contributions  to  pastor,  missions,  etc.,  $140.25. 


Big  Spuing  Church  is  situated  in  Rutherford  county, 
N.  C,  on  the  waters  of  Duncan's  creek,  about  14  miles  a 
little  north  westerly  from  Shelby,  and  about  the  same  dis- 
tance  nearly  east  of  Rutherfordton. 

This  church  was  constituted  September  5th,   1818,  and 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  581 

became  a  member  of  the  Catawba  River  Association.  The 
Green  River  Asssociation  was  formed  in  1840,  and  Big 
Spring  was  a  constituent  member,  and  remained  in  that  con- 
nection until  the  session  of  the  King's  Mountain  in  1853, 
when  she  joined  that  body,  and  has  remained  a  member 
■ever  since.  When  she  joined  King's  Mountain  she  had  a 
membership  of  110  persons,  and  has  at  this  time  only  118,  this, 
however,  may  be  acconnted  for  on  the  ground  that  she  has 
at  various  times  lettered  a  part  of  her  membership  to  aid  in 
■construction  of  other  churches. 

Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  J.  C.  Lattimore,  A.' 
J.  Hughes,  W.  P.  Withrovv  and  John  C.  Gettys.  J.  C. 
Geitys,  church  clerk,  Duncan's  Creek,  N.  C.  She  has  a 
Sunday  school  of  70  scholars  superintended  by  O.  D.  Price. 
Her  last  years  contributions  to  pastor,  missions,  etc.,  is 
reported  at  8147.75. 

This  church  since  joining  the  King's  Mountain  has  had 
the  following  pastors:  Elder  G.  W.  Rollins  till  1877,  from 
then  to  '82  Elder  J.  M.  Bridges.  Big  Spring  has  ever  had 
the  reputation  of  being  watchful  and  vigilant  in  regard  to 
the  true  faith  of  the  Gospel.  She  takes  a  pride  in  being  con- 
sidered orthodox  in  all  things.  She  adheres  with  great  tenac- 
ity to  the  old  Biblical  land  marks,  and  consequently  is  not 
easily  led  away  by  spurious  isms  that  lack  the  endorsement 
of  ''thus  saith  the  Lord." 


Boiling  Spring  Church  is  one  of  the  original  thirteen 
-churches   of  which  the  King's  Mountain    Association    was 
formed,  and  is  situated  in  Cleveland   county,  N.  C,    a  short 
distance  south   westerly  from   the  point    where  the  public 
road  leading  from  Rutherfordton  to  Yorkville,  S.  C,  crosses 
the  old  High   Shoals  road,   near  a    famous  boiling  spring  of 
good  free  stone  water,  which  is  well    known  to  many  of  the 
traveling  public,  from  which  bold  boiling  spring,  the  church 
derives  its  name.     It  is  about  10  miles  in    a  south  westerly 
direction  from  the  town  of  Shelby.      An  arm  of  Sandy  Run 
church  in  pursuance  of  a  request  was  extended  to    receive 
and  baptize  members  in  the  year  1847,  and  several  ministers 
(amongst  whom    Elder  W.  B.  Padgett  was  conspiuous  for 
faithful  labors)  preached  freouentlv  to  large  and  greatly  in- 
terested  congregations  of  people,  who   resolved  to  call  for  a 
presbytery  with  a  view  to  the  constitution  of  a  church.     On 
the  1st  day   of  December,   1847,  the  desired  presbytery  was 
convened,  and  proceeded  to  organize  69  persons  into  a  reg- 
ular Baptist  church  by  the  name  and  style  of  Boiling  Springs 
Baptist  church.     D.  D.  Durham,  Thos.  Pruitt  and  R.  L.  D. 


582  HISTOKICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

Hicks  were  appointed  delegates  to  attend  the  meeting  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  to  ask  admission  into  that  bodyy 
and  said  church  was  admitted  to  membership  accordingly  it> 
the  session  of  1848,  with  a  report  of  48  members  received 
and  baptized  since  her  constitution,  making  a  total  member- 
ship of  117  persons.  The  Boiling  Springs  church  was  sub- 
sequently dismissed  from  the  Broad  River  body  to  become  a 
constituent  member  of  the  King's  Mountain  Association  at 
its  organization,  in  1851,  and  is  now  a  worthy  member  of 
the  same  at  the  present  time. 

Elder  VV.  B.  Padgett  was  called  to  be  the  first  pastor  of 
this  church  and  continued  until  1851,  when  Elder  J.  Suttle 
was  chosen  to  serve  until  '54,  Elder  G.  W.  Rollins  till  '55, 
Elder  D.  Pannel  till  '56,  Elder  B.  Bonner  till  ,58,  Elder  J. 
Suttle  till  '59,  Elder  J.  M.  Williams  till  '60.  The  church 
this  year  b}*  reason  of  disagreement  upon  a  temperance  res- 
olution seceded  from  the  regular  King's  Monntain  Asssbci- 
ation,  and  joined  with  other  churches  in  the  organization  of 
the  "Constitutional"  King's  Mountain  body,  but  returned 
again  to  the  regular  body  in  1867,  after  the  matters  of  griev- 
ance were  settled  by  a  convention  of  the  churches  of  both  bod- 
ies the  previous  year.  Elder  J.  S.  Ezell  afterward  was  chosen 
pastor,  who  contiuued  until  1869,  Elder  L.  C.  Ezell  succeed- 
ed him  the  next  year,  Elder  A.  A.  McSwain  was  then  called 
Avho  served  until  '76,  Elder  W.  Hill  served  the  next  year, 
and  Elder  A.  A.  McSwain  again  served  till  '79,  when  Elder 
J.  S.  Ezell  again  served  till  '81,  Elder  J.  M.  Bridges  was  then 
engaged  and  is  now  the  pastor. 

The  Boiling  Springs  church  has  a  membership  of  195 
persons,  and  a  Sunday  school  of  95  scholars,  superintended 
by  brother  D.  S.  Lovelace,  and  in  good  working  order.  The 
church  frequently  enjoys  "refreshing  seasons  from  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Lord,"'  and  is  composed  of  very  good  material. 
Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  Asa  Hamrick,  John  Pruitt, 
W.  H.  Green  and  Reuben  Green.  I).  S.  Lovelace,  church 
clerk,  Boiling  Spring,  N".  C.  Annual  contributions  to  pas- 
tor, missions,  etc.,  §132.45. 


Buffalo  Church  is  one  of  the  original  sixteen  of  which 
the  Broad  River  Association  was  constituted,  and  is  situated 
on  the  main  public  road  leading  from  Rutherfordton,  N.  C. 
to  Yorkville,  S.  C,  about  four  miles  North  ofBuffalo  Creek, 
from  which  stream  it  derives  its  name,  and  about  one-half 
mile  South  of  the  North  Carolina  State  line.  We  are  informed 
by  brother  R.  E.  Porter,  the  acting  clerk  of  the  church,  that 
he  had  it  from  the  mouth  of  Dr.  William  Curtis,  now  de- 
ceased, that  while  engaged  in  his   researches   preparatory  to 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF   CHURCHES.  583 

the  publishing  of  an  Associational  history,  (which  was  com- 
pleted by  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett,)  he  found  an  old  copy  of  the 
Minutes  (of  the  Bethel  Association  we  suppose)  in  which  it 
Avas  stated  that  Buffalo  church  was  first  organized  in  1772, 
while  the  historian  Benedict  gives  the  date  of  the  constitution 
in  1777,.  Bro.  Porter  suggests  that  the  first  organization 
may  have  been  defective,  owing  to  some  informality,  and  was 
probably  in  1777,  remedied  and  made  more  valied  by  a 
properly  organized  presbytery,  as  he  is  informed  two  travel- 
ing ministers  from  the  Sandy  Creek  Association  in  North 
Carolina  that  }-ear  visited  the  section  of  country  and  organ* 
ized  the  church  in  regular  order,  ordaining  at  the  same. time 
two  ministers  and  three  deacons.  Elder  Joseph  Camp  was 
probabl}'  one  of  the  ministers,  and  William  Davidson,  Jacob 
Green  and  James  Bridges  were  doubtless  the  deacons.  But 
there  being  no  records  preserved,  the  names  cannot  now  be 
given  certainly.  Elder  Joseph  Camp  resided  in  the  vicinity 
of  this  church  in  1781  (see  sketch)  and  was  probably  the 
pastor  for  several  years.  But  we  do  not  find  from  anything 
minueted  that  there  was  ever  chosen  an}7  one  to  the  regular 
pastorate  until  in  1812,  Eder  B.  Hicks  was  installed  as 
such  who  continued  until  1834.  In  1821  Hugh  Quin  and  in 
1826  P.  Ramsour  both  members  of  Buffalo  were  licensed  to 
preach,  who  doubtless  assisted  the  regular  pastor  in  the  exhi- 
bition of  the  word.  From  1834  to  1847  Elder  D.  Dobbins 
was  pastor.  After  the  demise  of  Elder  D.  Dobbins  Elder  R. 
P.Logan  was  pastor  until  1851,  Elder  T.  Dixon  in  '60,  Elder 
G.  W.  Rollins  in  '61,  Elder  D.  Hilliard  till  '62.  Elder  T. 
Dixon  was  then  pastor  till  1880,  since  then  Elder  G.  M.  Webb 
has  been  laboring  as  pastor  of  the  church. 

The  Buffalo  church  has  been  a  fruitful  mother,  many 
churches  having  sprang  from  her  arms  and  constituents,  chief 
among  which  we  mention  Antioeh,  Providence,  Camp's 
Creek,  Zoar,  Mount  Sinai,  Mount  Paron,  and  more  recently 
Xew  Hope. 

There  have  been  somewhere  between  2,500  and  3,000 
persons  enrolled  as  members  upon  her  church  books  so  far 
as  preserved,  while  many  others,  prior  to  1803,  for  which  no 
records  now  appear,  are  known  to  have  passed  through  the 
Buffalo  church  a  period  of  26  years  after  its  organization. 

This  venerable  church  continued  its  connection  with  the 
Broad  "River  Association  from  its  organization  until  the  for- 
mation of  the  King's  Mountain  body  of  which  it  became  a 
constituent  member  in  1851.  In  1863  for  reasons  satisfac- 
tory the  church  took  a  letter  of  dismission  and 
again  attached  itself  to  the  Broad  River  Association,  with 
which  it  remained  until  the  project  of  attempting  the  organ- 


-5S4  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES .  OF  CHURCHES. 

ization  of  County  Associations  was  about  to  be  made  in  1877? 
when  it  as-ain  returned  to  the  Kind's  Mountain,  of  which 
body  it  is  now  a  worthy  member,  having  a  membership  at 
this  time  of  228.  Having  also  a  good  and  efficient  corps  of 
deacons  consisting  of  F.  8.  Ramsoury  Wm.  D.  Gaston,  John 
Turner,  William  Hamriek,  A.  W.  Holt.  R.  E.  Porter, 
church  clerk,  Black's  Station,  S.  C. 

Bro.  Porter  writes  :  "One  peculiar  characteristic  in  the 
history  of  this  church  is  shown  in  her  tenacity  to  any  received 
doctrine  or  practice.  And  through  her  history  she  has  not 
been  given  to  change,  nor  has  she  been  '  blown  about  by 
every  wind  of  doctrince.'  " 

The  Buffalo  church  has  existed  over  100  years  and  during 
that  long  period  of  time  she  has  never  changed  her  days  of 
public  worship  from  the  fourth  Sunday  and  Saturday  pre- 
vious in  each  month  of  the  year..  Annual  contributions  to 
pastor,  missions,  etc.,  $174.13. 


Capernaum  Church  is  situated  in  the  northeastern  part  of 
Cleveland  countv,  N.  C,  about  twelve  miles  norteasterlv 
from  Shelby,  a  short  distance  west  of  the  main  post  road 
leading  from  Lincolnton  to  Spartanburg,  S.  C,  and  three 
miles  southwesterly  from  Cherryville  on  the  Carolina  Central 
rail  road. 

This  church  was  constituted  by  a  presbytery  on  the  9th 
da}7  of  July  1842  Elders  D.  Dobbins  and  R.  P.  Logan  and 
deacons  from  surrounding  churches  composed  the  presby- 
tery for  this  purpose;  and  Wm.  Roberts,  Lewis  Gardner  and 
Wm.  Kendrick  were  the  first  deacons,  and  Lewis  Gardner 
was  appointed  Clerk.  Elder  D.  Dobbins  was  chosen  pastor 
and  continued  until  1845.  Elder  W.  Hill  was  then  chosen 
and  he  continued  in  the  pastorate  until  1851.  In  that  year 
the  King's  Mountain  Association  was  organized,  and  Caper- 
naum although  within  its  boundary,  preferred  to  remain  a 
member  of  the  northern  body;  and  did  remain  so,  until  the 
session  of  1871;  when  she  was  dismissed  and  joined  King's 
Mountain  at  her  session  of  the  same  year.  Elder  W.  Hill 
was  pastor  in  '72,  Elder  P.  R,  Elam  in  '73,  W.  Hill  again  in 
'74  and  '75,  Elder  G.  M.  Webb  from  '75  till  '82. 

The  church  at  the  time  of  constitution  had  a  member- 
ship of  thirty-five  persons.  She  has  at  the  present  time 
(1882)  one  hundred  and  seventy  members,  and  a  flourishing 
Sunday  school  of  fifty-six  scholars  superinteded  by  J.  C. 
Parker. 

Her  annual  contributions  to  pastor,  missions  etc.  are 
$122.65.     Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  Thos.  Kindrick, 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  585 

Martin  Moss,  W.  G.  Lindsey  andF.  M.  Miller.  A.  S.  Kin- 
drick,  church  clerk,  Waco,  N.  C,  Thos.  Kindrick,  church 
treasurer. 


Concord  Church  is  situated  in  Rutherford  county,  N".  C, 
about  eight  miles  southeasterly  from  Rutherfordton,  on  the 
east  side  of  second  Broad  River,  and  about  a  mile  north 
from  the  main  road  leading  from  Rutherfordton  via.  Webb's 
Ford  to  Shelby. 

This  church  was  constituted  in  1804,  after  the  forma- 
tion of  the  Broad  River  Association  in  1800,  and  admitted 
into  that  body  the  same  year,  the  session  being  held  at  Sandy 
Run  church.  It  remained  in  that  connection  until  the  form- 
ation of  the  Green  River  body  in  1840  when  it  joined  that 
Association  and  confined  a  member  thereof  till  after  the  or- 
ganization of  the  King's  Mountain  Association  in  1851  and  at 
the  session  of  '56  joined  that  body  and  still  remains  a  mem- 
ber. She  had  a  membership  then  of  54  persons,  she  now 
has  170,  and  a  Sunday  school  of  100  scholars,  superintended 
by  C.  T.  Hollifield.  Her  last  year's  contributions  to  pastor, 
missions,  etc.,  is  $65.80. 

Her  pastor  in  1856  to  '59  was  Elder  G.  W.  Rollins,  in 
'60  Elder  G.  M,  Webb,  in  '61  to  '65  Elder  G.  W.  Rollins,  in 
766  to  '69  G.  M.  Webb,  in  '70  to  '82  G.  W.  Rollins.  Her 
present  corps  of  deacons  are  brethren  G.  T.  Bostic,  W.  H. 
Martin,  H.  Harrill,  B.  Metcalf,  A.  P.  Hollifield,  John  Davis, 
James  Lattimore  and  A.  L.  Sm^rt.  A.  L.  Smart,  church 
clerk,  Forest  City,  N".  C. 

Concord  has  the  honor  to  send  several  ministers  into 
the  gospel  field  amongst  whom  are  Elders  Alfred  Webb,  Wm. 
Harrill,  G.  M.  Webb,  G.  P.  Bostic  and  J.  A.  Green. 

The  church  is  located  in  a  very  hospitable  neighbor- 
hood, who  seem  to  enjoy  the  God  given  privilege  of  attend- 
ing public  worship  at  the  sanctuary,  as  well  probably  as  any 
others. 


Dallas  Church  is  situated  on  a  beautiful  lot  in  the  town 
of  Dallas  in  Gaston  county,  ^N".  C.  The  church  edifice  is  one 
of  rare  beauty  of  sufficient  size  to  seat  a  large  congregation. 
After  the  rendition  of  ministerial  labors  of  an  acceptable  and 
profitable  character  by  Elders  J.  H.  Booth,  A.  L.  Stough 
and  others  in  the  year  1880,  a  few  members  of  Baptist 
churches  residing  in  and  near  the  town  of  Dallas  covenant 
together  and  resolved  to  organize  a  church;  whereupon  a 
presbytery  was  convened  for  that  purpose  on  the  25th  day  of 
September  1879  consisting  of  ministers  and  deacons,  and  in 
accordance  with  the  usages  of  the  denomination  they  pro- 
74 


58G  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

ceeded  to  constitute  a  church  by  the  name  and  stvle  of  the 
Dallas  Baptist  church.  Elder  J.  H.  Booth  was  chosen  pastor, 
and  Jas.  D.  Moore  and  L.  P.  Stowe  were  chosen  deacons 
and  James  R.  Lewis,  clerk,  Dallas  N".  C.  The  church  at  tne 
present  time  (1882)  has  a  membership  of  thirty-live  persons, 
and  a  Sunday  school  of  forty-one  scholars  superintended  by 
James  D.  Moore  in  good  working  order.  The  contributions 
tor  pastor,  missions  etc.  for  the  year  is  $880.50. 


Double  Springs  Church  is  situated  in  Cleveland  county, 
]Sr.  C.  a  short  distance  north  of  a  public  road  leading  from 
Shelby  to  Rutherford  ton,  via.  Beam's  store  into  Whiteside 
settlement.  About  seven  miles  northwesterly  from  the  town 
of  Shelby  KC. 

In  the  year  1844  Elders  L.  McCurry,  Drury  Dobbins, 
Josiah  Durham,  L.  D.  Crowder  and  others  began  to  conduct 
religious  services  at  a  stand  near  the  present  Double  Springs 
meeting  house,  and  a  lively  interest  resulted  from  their 
labors,  whereupon,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  constitute  a 
church,  and  a  presbytery  for  that  purpose  was  therefore  con- 
vened in  the  year  1845  consisting  of  Elders  D.  Dobbins,  L.' 
McCurr}T  and  others;  and  thirty  three  persons  were  organ- 
ized into  a  regular  church  of  the  Baptist  faith  and  order,  to 
be  known  by  the  name  and  style  of  the  Double  Springs 
Baptist  church;  and  brother  W.  Covington  was  appointed  a 
delegate  to  represent  the  church  in  the  next  session  of  the 
Broad  River  Association  and  ask  admission  as  a  member  of 
that  body;  which  was  done  by  the  delegates  and  Double 
Springs  became  a  member  of  the  Broad  River  Association 
in  1845;  and  continued  to  be  until  she  became  a  constituent 
member  of  the  King's  Mountain,  in  its  organization  at  her 

~  7  ~ 

meeting  honsein  1851. 

Brethren  Wm.  Covington,  M.  Gold  and  Thos.  Wilson 
were  the  first  deacons  of  this  church,  and  Wm.  M.  Gold  was 
appointed  church  clerk.  Elder  Lewis  McCurry  was  chosen 
pastor,  and  continued  in  that  relationship  until  1847.  Elder 
W.  B.  Padgett  was  his  successor  until  '50,  Elder  J.  Suttle 
till  '55,  Elder  R.  Poston  till  '56,  Elder  J.  Suttle  again  till  '60, 
Elder  D.  Wray  till  '62,  Elder  J.  H.  Yorboro  till  '66,  Elder 
J.  S.  Ezell  tilf'68,  Elder  T.  Dixon  till  71,  Elder  L.  C.  Ezell 
till  '73,  Elder  G.  M.  Webb  till  '77,  and  Elder  G.  W.  Robins 
till  '82. 

This  church  derived  its  name  from  two  notable  free 
stone  springs  which  supplies  the  huge  congregations  that 
often  attend  the  services  of  the  sanctuary  with  very  good  and 
cool  drinking  water,  the  same  being  the  fountain  head  of  a 
branch  of  Brushy  Creek.     It  now  has  a  membership  of  204 


HISTOEICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  587 

members,  and  has  enjoyed  many  precious  revival  meetings 
and  appears  to  be  realizing  as  fully  as  any,  the  object  of  its 
organization.  It  can  also  rejoice  in  having  sent  into  the  gos- 
pel vineyard  one  promising  laborer  in  the  person  of  Eider  J. 
M. Bridges.  Double  Springs  has  at  present  the  following  corps 
of  deacons,  viz:  Bros.  John  Bridges,  D.  A.  F.  Hamrick, 
Streete  Harrill,  E.J.  Lovelace  and  Berry  Hamrick,  Bro.  W. 
W.  Washburn  church  clerk  Shelby,  N.  C.  Annual  contri- 
butions to  pastor,  missions  etc  $264.12 


Fair  View  Church  is  situated  in  Rutherford  County  N.- 
C.in  "Whitesides  settlement"  near  the  head  of  Golden  Vallev 
on  the  public  road  leading  to  Marion,  about  17  miles  north- 
easterly from  Rutherfordton  and  a  short  distance  from  where 
the  Head  of  First  Broad  church  was  first  located  on  an  em- 
inence commanding  a  delightful  view  of  the  surrounding 
mountain  scenery,  hence  the  appropriate  name  Fair  View. 

About  fifteen  members  of  Baptist  churches  in  this  sec- 
tion of  country  being  inconveniently  situated  to  attend  pub- 
lic worship  and  hoping  and  believing  that  the  organization 
of  a  church  in  this  locality  would  tend  to  the  furtherance  of 
the  gospel  of  Christ,  did  on  Friday  before  the  3rd  Lord's  day 
in  August  1882  call  to  their  aid  a  presbytery  of  ministers  and 
deacons  who  proceeded  to  look  into  their  religious  standing, 
and  finding  the  little  band  orthodox  in  their  true  faith  of  the 
gospel  constituted  them  into  a  regular  Baptist  church  to  be 
known  by  the  name  and  style  of  the  Fair  View  Baptist 
Church.  J.  L.  Yelton  was  ordained  a  deacon,  and  J.  W. 
Whisnant  was  appointed  the  clerk,  Golden  Valley,  N.  C. 

At  the  session  of  the  Kind's  Mountain  Association  at 
Bethel  church  in  1882  this  church  was  admitted  to  member- 
ship in  said  body.  No  report  is  made  ,of  pastor,  Sunday 
school  or  contributions  to  Associational  objects,  the  church 
being  in  an  infantile  state  and  without  a  meeting  house  at 
the  present  time. 


Gastonia  Church  is  situated  in  the  town  of  Gastonia  on 
the  Air  Line  rail  road  in  Gaston  county  1ST.  C.  About  eight 
miles  from  the  town  of  King's  Mountain  and  on  the  west  side 
of  the  Catawba  River.  This  church  was  constituted  by  a 
presbytery  consisting  of  Elders  A.  K.  Durham,  P.  R.  Elam 
and  D.  Thomasson,  together  with  some  attending  deacons, 
on  the  28th  of  April  1877,  under  the  name  and  style  of  the 
Gastonia  Baptist  church.  Elder  P.  R.  Elam  was  chosen 
pastor  and  at  a  subsequent  meeting  brethren  T.  G.  Chalk  and 
R.  L.  Johnson  were  ordained  deacons;  and  T.  G.  Chalk  church 

t 


588  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

clerk  Gastonia  1ST.  C.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  names  of 
those  organized, :  E.  C.  McAlister,  Martha  McAlister,  Jonas 
Jenkins,  Sarah  Jenkins,  J.  W.  Smith,  V.  S.  Smith,  S.  Head, 
R.  S.  Head,  J.  E.  Robinson,  T.  G.  Chalk,  M.  N.  Chalk,  C.  H. 
Lay,  Eliza  Lay,  Lee  Garrison,  Florence  Garrison,  J.  M. 
Bvnum,  SallieBynum,  Isabella  Smith,  Eliza  Johnson,  S.  F. 
Chalk,  C.  C.  Smith,  P.  C.  Gladden,  J.  A.  Mason,  Martha  M. 
Glenn,  Sarah  Lay,  Ella  Chalk,  Martha  Capps. 

From  some  unknown  cause  this  church  has  failed  to  be 
represented  in  the  Association  for  the  last  two  years.  At 
the  session  of  the  King's  Mountain,  in  1877,  after  their  or- 
ganization, the  church  through  her  delegates  applied  for 
admission  into  the  cofederacy  of  churches  of  which  that  body 
is  composed,  and  were  cordially  received  and  is  recognized 
as  one  of  the  churches  of  that  body.  Gastonia  has  had  Elder 
S.  T.  Pugh  in  the  pastorate  in"l878  and  '79,  Elder  P.  R. 
Elam  in  '80,  Elder  J.  H.  Booth  in  '81. 


High  Shoal  Church  is  situated  in  Rutherford  county, 
]ST.  C,  about  one  mile  northeasterly  from  the  High  Shoals 
on  second  Broad  River,  from  which  the  church  derives  its 
name.  This  church  was  constituted  by  a  presbytery  con- 
sisting of  Elders  Drury  Dobbins,  John  Padgett  and  others, 
July  27th,  1831.  And  at  the  session  of  the  Broad  River 
Association  the  same  vear  at  Buck  Creek  church,  was  ad- 
mitted  to  membership  in  that  body,  having  then  seventeen 
members  in  fellowship.  Elder  John  Padgett  was  chosen 
pastor  andbrethren  J.  Dobbins,Dan'l  Rollins  and  W.Padgett 
were  among  the  first  deacons,  and  Micajah  Durham  was 
church  clerk  for  several  years. 

At  the  session  of  1841  the  High  Shoal  church  was  dis- 
missed to  join  with  the  Green  River  body,  then  a  new  or- 
ganization, and  she  contiuned  in  that  connection  until  after 
the  formation  of  the  Kings  Mountain  Association  in  1851, 
and  the  next  year  (1852)  joined  that  body  and  continued  un- 
til the  session  of  1860  when  at  her  own  meeting  house  she 
seceeded  and  united  with  other  churches  in  organizing  the 
"Constitutional"  King's  Mountain  Association,  with  which 
she  remained  until  1866,  when  the  matters  in  dispute  were 
compromised  and  settled  by  a  convention  of  the  churches  of 
both  parties. 

Elder' John  Padgett  having  served  as  pastor  until  1835, 
Elder  J.  M.  Webb  then  served  until  '41,  when  the  church 
joined  the  Green  River  Association.  After  her  return  to 
Kind's  Mountain  in  1852  Elder  G.  W.  Rollins  was  her  pas- 
tor until  1856,  Elder  D.  Pannell  then  till  '58,  Elder  W.  Mc- 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF   CHURCHES.  599 

Swiain  till  '60.  Then  the  schism  took  place  and  continued 
until  1866.  Elder  G.  M.  Webb  served  from  1867  to  '71, 
Elder  R.  Poston  to  '73  and  Elder  G.  W.  Rollins  till  '82. 

The  present  membership  number,  for  1882,  262  persons 
and  a  Sunday  school  superintended  by  J.  M.  Goode  is  re- 
ported .  Her  last  year's  report  of  contributions  for  pastor, 
missions,  etc.,  is  only  $5.80.  Her  present  corps  of  deacons 
-are  brothers  ISTehemiah  Dobbins,  E.  D.  Hawkins,  J.  M. 
Goode,  ¥m,  Walker  and  Silas  Bland,  and  J.  P.  Burgess, 
•clerk. 

High  Shoal  is  greatly  honored  under  God  of  being  the 
foster  mother  of  Elders  J.  M.  Webb  and  Alanson  Padgett, 
both  of  whom  are  now  dead,  but  were  able  and  useful  min- 
isters of  the  gospel  of  Chris>in~tlieir  time. 

/ 

Leonard's  Fork  Church  is  situated  in  Lincoln  county 
N\.  C.  about  five  miles  west  from  the  town  of  Lincolnton, 
eighteen  persons  being  members  of  Baptist  churches  in  the 
vicinity  of  this  place,  desiring  as  a  matter  of  convenience  in 
attending  public  worship,  to  be  organized  into  a  church,  did 
for  this  purpose  ask  for  the  assembling  of  a  presbytery  having 
this  object  in  view;  and  on  the  25th  day  of  April  1882  such 
presbytery  was  convened,  consisting  of  Elder  A.  L.  Stough 
and  others,  who  being  satisfied  of  their  orthodoxy  in  the  faith 
•of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  did  proceed  to  constitute  them  into 
a  regular  Baptist  church,  by  the  name  and  style  of  the 
Leonard's  Fork  Baptist  church.  J.  J.  Cornwell  and  W.  H. 
Hoover  were  ordained  deacons;  and  W.  H.  Hoover,  church 
clerk,  Lincolnton  N".  C.  This  church  is  a  nart  of  Elder  A. 
L.  Stough's  missionary  labors  in  a  section  of  country  where 
Lutheranism  is  the  most  prevalent  religious  profession. 


Long  Creek  Church  was  once  a  member  of  the  Bethel 
Association;  which  body  was  organized  in  1789.  The  Broad 
River  body  was  organized  in  1800,  and  the  Long  Creek 
■church  being  one  of  those  dismissed  from  the  Bethel  for  the 
purpose  of  becoming  a  constituent  member  of  the  Broad 
River  body,  was  probably  constituted  some  time  previous  to 
1789.  But  no  church  records  can  now  be  found  to  give  the 
precise  date  of  its  constitution.  It  is  however  reasonable  to 
suppose  that  the  two  ministers  mentioned  by  brother  R.  E. 
Porter  in  the  case  of  Buffalo  church  as  coming  from  Sandy 
Creek  Association  in  North  Carolina  in  the  year  1772,  and 
in  an  informal  way  of  some  sort  organizing  that  church,  did 
in  like  manner  organize  not  only  Long  Creek  but  also  Sandy 
Run  church  the  same  year.     This  is  probable  from  the  fact 


500  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OFCHUE€HES. 

that  these  three  old  churches  are  situated  in  the  same  regiora 
of  country  and  would  be  compassed  in  their  missionary  tour. 
The  probable  true  date  of  the  constitution  of  Long  Creek 
church,  therefore,  is  1772,  the  same  as  Sandy  Run  and 
Buffalo  churches. 

This  ancient  church  is  situated  in  what  is  now  Gaston 
county  (formerly  Lincoln)  N.  C.  About  three  miles  south- 
easterly from  the  town  of  Dallas.  It  remained  a  member  of 
the  Broad  River  Association  until  the  session  of  the  King's. 
Mountain  in  1854,  when  it  joined  that  body  by  letter,  and 
remained  in  that  connection  until  1862,  it  was  then  dismissed 
and  rejoined  the  Broad  River,  butin  the  session  of  1880  of  the 
King's  Mountain  it  was  again  admitted  to  membership  in 
that  body,  and  is  now  a  member. 

This  church  has  had  many  pastors,  but  seemes  to  have 
had  no  regular  supply  until  the  year  1827.  Elder  B.  T. 
Kirby  was  pastor  till  1833,  Elder  J.  Lowe  in  35-'36,  Elder 
John  Mullinax  in  '37,-'38,  Elder  T.  K  Purseley  in  '39-'40, 
Elder  W.  Noland  in  '41,  Elder  J.  M.  Thomas  in  '42.  Elder 
W.  Hill  from  '43  to  '47,  Elder  M.  Mullinax  in  '48,  Elder,  J, 
Suttle  in  '50,  Elder  I.  D.  Durham  in  '51,  ('52  and  '53  no 
pastor,)  Elder  A.  J.  Cansler  in  '54,  Elder  R.  P.  Logan  '55, 
Elder  A.  J.  Cansler  in  '56,  Elder  W.  Hill  from  '57  to  '60, 
Elder  R.  P.  Logan  in  '61,  Elder  A.  J.  Cansler  in  '62.  She 
then  left  the  King's  Mountain  Association  till  '80,  Elder  G. 
M.  Webb  iu  '81  and  '82.  Brethren  Reuben  Jenkins,  Sam'l 
Weathers,  W.  Holloway  were  deacons  of  this  church  in  days 
of  yore. 

The  present  membership  numbers  146 ;  and  a  Sunday 
school  of  twenty  three  scholars  is  reported  superintended  by 
J.  A.  Eaton.  Her  contributions  for  1882  to  different  objects 
is  reported  $339.91.  Her  present  pastor  is  Elder  G.  M. 
Webb.  Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  Allen  Withers, 
Wm.  Smith  and  Thos.  Smith,  J.  A.  Eaton,  church  clerk, 
Dallas  N.  C. 


Mount  Harmony  is  situated  in  Rutherford  county,  N. 
C,  near  the  main  road  leading  into  Whiteside  settlement  in 
the  Bi^fferstati"  neighborhood,  nearlv  east  of  Rutherfordton 
about  twelve  miles,  and  southerly  from  Golden  Valley  about 
four  miles;  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  Green  River  As- 
sociation, but  joined  the  King's  Mountain  at  its  session  in 
1867.  It  was  constituted  by  a  presbytery  consisting  of  Elders 
Wm.  McSwain,  D.  Pannell,  and  others,  on  the  16th  day  of 
November  1860.  Elder  Wm.  McSwain  was  chosen  first  pas- 
tor and  Abram  Toney  and  Joshua  Earles  were  the  first 
deacous,  and  A.  W.  Biggerstaff  was  the  church  clerk. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  591 

Brethren  J.  Earles  and  C.  Yelton  represented  the  church 
when  she  was  received  into  the  King's  Mountain  body,  her 
total  membership  at  that  time  being  93  persons.  Elder  Wnu 
McSvvain  contiuued  to  supply  this  church  until  1872,  when 
Elder  M.  Pannell  was  chosen  pastor  until  '74,  then  Elder  B. 
E.  RolHus  was  chosen.  Elder  J.  M.  Bridges  became  pastor  in 
1876  and  has  continued  that  relationship  to  the  present  time 
(1882.)  The  church  now  numbers  145  members  and  has  a 
{Sunday  school  of  35  scholars,  superintended  by  J.  W.  Mur- 
ray very  profitably.  No  contributions  only  for  minutes  are 
reported.  Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  W.  J.  Toney, 
John  Melton,  Charles  Yelton  and  J.  W.  Murray.  J.  L. 
Padgett,  church  clerk,  Sunshine,  N.  C. 


Mount  Paran  Church  is  situated  in  York  county  S.  C. 
near  the  Whitaker  Mountain,  about  three  miles  northeaster- 
ly  from  Black's  Station  on  the  Air  Line  rail  road.  This 
church  was  constituted  1853  of  thirty-nine  members,  through 
the  labors  of  Elder  J.  J.  Jones  and  others.  The  first  deacons 
were  Joseph  Sapaugh,  A.  W.  Holt,  P.  Harmon  and  P. 
Sapaugh,  W.  H.  Carroll  was  chosen  clerk  of  the  church,  and 
it  was  admitted  into  the  King's  Mountain  Association  at  its 
session  in  1853.  Elder  J.  J.  Jones  was  chosen  pastor,  who 
continued  in  that  connection  until  1860;  when  the  church 
seceded  from  the  Association,  and  joined  in  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  "constitutional"  King's  Mountain  Association; 
and  remained  until  the  matters  in  dispute  were  settled  bv  a 
convention  of  the  churches  in  1866.  In  1867  Elder  D.  Pan- 
nell was  pastor,  in  '68  Elder  T.  Dixon,  in  '69  A.  A.  McSwain, 
'in '70  Elder  P.P.  Elam  to '75,  in  '75  till  '77  Elder  A.  A. 
McSwain  and  Elder  A.  C.  Ervin  from  '77  to  82.  The  pres- 
ent membership  is  120  persons.-  And  the  church  has  a 
Sunday  school  superintended  by  James  M.  Martin  of  seventy 
scholars  in  good  working  order.  Her  present  corps  of 
deacons  are  George  H.  Martin,Peter  Sapaugh,  Willie  Martin, 
A.  W,  Holt,  P.  Harmou  and  J.  S.  Earls.  And  Farmer 
Moore  is  church  clerk,  Whitaker's  S.  C.  Annual  contribu- 
tions to  pastor,  missions  etc.  $139.95. 


Mount  Pleasant  Church  issituated  in  Cleveland  county, 
N.  C,  about  three  miles  northwesterly  from  the  mouth  of 
Sandy  Run  Creek  at  Nicholson's  old  Ferry,  and  about  eight 
miles  southeasterly  from  Forest  City. 

This  church  was  constituted  January  12th,  1849,  through 
the  ministerial  labors  of  Elders  T.  Dixon,  G.  W.  Rollins  and 
others.     At  the  time  of  organization  forty  members  were  en- 


592  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHUBCHESV 

rolled,  and  Elder  T.  Dixon  was  chosen  pastor,  and  M.  Jollyr 
John  Matheny  and  J.  M.  Hamrick  were  the  first  deacons^, 
and  W.  B.  Hames  the  church  clerk.  The  church  was  ad- 
mitted to  membership  with  the  Broad  River  Association  at 
her  session  in  1849,  and  she  continued  that  relationship  until 
in  1851,  she  was  then  dismissed  to  become  a  constituent 
member  of  the  King's  Mountain  body.  In  1851  Elder  D. 
Pannell  was  pastor  "till  1852,  Elder  G.  W.  Rollins  till  '53T 
Elder  D.  Pannell  till  '54,  Elder  L.  H.  McSwaintill  '57,  Elder 
"Wm.  McSwain  till  '59,  Elder  A.  A.  McSwain  till  '60.  The 
church  then  seceded  and  with  Elder  Wm.  McSwain  as  pas- 
tor joined  in  the  organization  of  the  "Constitutional"  King's- 
Mountain  Association.  After  the  reconstruction  in  1866 
Elder  L.  C.  Ezell  was  pastor  till  1870,  Elder  A.  A.  McSwain 
till  '74,  Elder  J.  M.  Bridges  till  '76,  Elder  A.  C.  Irvin  till  '82. 
The  church  now  has  a  membership  of  212  persons  and  a 
Sunday  school  of  forty  scholars  superintended  by  T.  M.  Hol- 
land. The  present  corps  of  deacons  are  Toliver  D.  Scruggs,. 
David  Matheny,  J.  D.  Simmons,  J.  A.  Scruggs,  J.  M.  Ham- 
rick and  John  Matheny.  Brother  J.  D.  Simmons  is  church 
clerk,  Nicholsonville,  N.  C. 

The  M  ount  Pleasant  church  is  now  on  a  progressive 
march,  having  had  some  very  interesting  revival  meetings- 
within  the  last  few  years.  She  is  entitled  to  the  honor  of 
licensing  Elder  G.  W.  Rollins  in  1851  to  preach  the  gospel 
of  Christ,  he  then  being  a  member  of  said  church,  and  now 
a  prominent  minister  of  the  King's  Mountain  Association, 
Annual  contributions  to  pastor,  missions,  etc.,  $54.50. 


Mount  Sinai  Church  is  situated  in  Cleveland  county,  H,* 
C,  on  the  McS wain's  Ford  road;  about  three  miles  north 
easterly  from  Ellis'  Ferry  on  main  Broad  River,  and  about 
eight  miles  south  westerly  from  Shelby  N.  C.  This  church 
was  first  an  arm  of  Buttalo,  and  constituted  on  the  20th  of 
May  1848  by  a  presbytery  consisting,  of  Elders  L.  H.  Mc- 
Swain and  deacons  from  several  churches.  When  constituted 
Mount  Sinai  had  thirty  members,  and  joined  the  'Broad 
River  Association  at  its  session  in  1849,  remaining  with  said 
body  until  1851.  It  was  then  dismissed  to  become  a  consti- 
tuent member  in  the  formation  of  the  King's  Mountain 
Association.  Elder  L.  H.  McSwain  having  taken  an  active 
part  in  the  measures  leading  to  the  organization  of  this 
church,  was  therefore,  chosen  pastor;  who  continued  till 
1854;  when  Elder  B.  Bonner,  became  pastor  until  1856, 
Elder  L.  H.  McSwain  again  till  '60.  The  church  then  se- 
ceded and  became  a  member  of  the  "Constitutional"  King's 
Mountain  Association  when  Elder    Wm.   McSwain   became 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  593 

the  pastor.  After  the  reconstruction, in  1860  the  church  was 
not  represented  until  1867,  Elder  L.  H.  McSwain  was  then 
pastor  till  '71,  when  A.  A.  McSwain  became  pastor  till  '72, 
Elder  T.  H.  Mullinax  till  '73,  Elder  L.  H.  McSwain  till  77, 
and  Elder  T.  H.  Mullinax  till  the  present  time  (1882.) 

Thos.  McSwain,  John  Randall  and  John  McSwain  were 
the  first  deacons,  audi  John  Randall  church  clerk.  Her 
present  membership  is  eighty  three  persons.  She  has  a 
Sunday  school  of  fifty  five  scholars,  superintended  by  0.  B. 
Blanton.  Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  W.  R.  Ham  rick 
C.  B.  Blanton,  Starling  Weaver  and  G.  W.  Blanton.  Bro. 
S.  Wylie  the  church  clerk,  Erwinsville  N.  C.  In  1882 
Mount  Sinai  church  ordained  P.  S.  Mullino,  to  the  full  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry.  /Annual  contributions  to  pastor, 
missions  etc.  not  fully  reported. 

/ 

Mount  Vernon  Church  is  situated  in  Lincoln  county  N. 
C.  on  the  main  Morganton  road,  about  sixteen  miles  south 
westerly  from  Lincolnton.  This  church  was  first  a  member 
of  Catawba  River  Association,  (which  was  formed  in  1828,) 
and  joined  the  King's  Mountain  in  1852.  When  Mount  Ver- 
non joined  the  King's  Mountain  body  she  had  a  membership 
of  fifty  persons,  and  Elder  A.  J.  Cansler  had  been  retained 
as  pastor.  In  1853-'54,  Elder  M.  Williams  served,  in  1855- 
'56  Elder  J.  F.  Leatherman  was  pastor,  in  '57  J.  M.  Wil- 
liams, in  '58  A.  A.  McSwain.  From  then  to  1867  J.  F. 
Leatherman  was  pastor,  Elder  T.  H.  Mullinax  till  '70,  J.  F. 
Leatherman  asrain  till  '72,  Elder  J.  Smith  till '73,  Elder  Geo. 
J.  Wilkie  till  '76,  Elder  A.  Hilderbran  till  '77,  Elder  G.  J. 
Wilkie  till  '78,  and  Elder  J.  P.  Styers  until  '82.  -  The  mem- 
bership has  increased  to  119  persons;  and  the  church  has  a 
Sunday  school  superintended  by  O.  C.  Thompson,  doing 
good  service  in  training  the  young,  which  has  been  greatly 
neglected.  The  contributions  to  pastor,  mission  etc.,  as 
reported  are  $69.50,  which  although  small  is  an  improvement 
on  former  years.  S.  J.  Weaver  is  the  clerk  of  the  church, 
Hull's  Cross  roads  N.  C. 


New  Bethel  Church  is  situated  in  Cleveland  county, 
N.  C,  on  the  main  public  road  leading  from  Shelby  to  Ma- 
rion, about  twelve  miles  nearly  north  from  Shelby,  and  nearly 
one  mile  southeasterly  from  Maple  Shoal    on  Maple    Creek. 

There  being  several  members  of  Baptist  churches  in  this 

section  remotely   situated   from   their   respective   places   of 

worship,  the  church  of  Zion  was  requested  to  extend  an  arm 

to  this  place  to  receive   and   baptize   members,   which   was 

75 


59-1  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

granted,  whereupon  after  successful  labors  by  several  minis- 
ters, prominent  among  whom  were  Elders  J.  Suttle  and  T. 
Dixon,  the  several  brethren  and  sisters  covenanted  togeth- 
er in  the  year  1847,  and  agreed  to  ask  for  a  presbytery  to 
organize  them  into  a  church  of  the  Baptist  faith  and  order, 
and  such  presbytery  was  convened  on  the  29th  of  July,  1848, 
thereafter  and  twenty-five  person  were  constituted  a  regular 
Baptist  church  by  the  name  and  style  of  New  Bethel  Baptist 
Church,  which  church  at  her  request  was  admitted  into  the 
Broad  River  Association  at  its  session  of  1848,  in  which 
body  she  remained  a  worthy  member  until  dismissed  in  '51 
to  become  a  constituent  member  of  the  King's  Mountain 
body  the  same  year.  Her  first  pastor  was  Elder  T.  Dixon 
who  continued  until  1857,  Elder  J.  Suttle  then  became  pas- 
tor until  '61,  Elder  P.  R.  Elam  till  '62,  Elder  L.  McCurrv 
till  76o,  Elder  T.  Dixon  again  till  '66,  Elder  R.  Poston  till 
70,  T.  Dixon  till  '73,  R.  Poston  till  '74,  T.  Dixon  till  '79, 
Elder  J.  A.  White  was  then  chosen  till  '81  who  is  now  the 
pastor  (1882.) 

The  first  deacons  were  A;  S.  Elam,  R,  T.  Hord  Fr's 
Lattimore,  and  the  first  clerk  was  R.  T  Hord.  New  Bethel 
now  has  a  membership  of  165  persons,  and  a  Sunday  school 
of  55  scholar  superintended  by  R.  L.  Limrick.  a  licensed 
preacher. 

This  church  has  enjoyed  many  good  revival  meetings, 
and  is  a  progressive  bodv.  Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are 
R,  T.  Hord,  W.  A.  Thompson",  David  Cline,  Thomas  J. 
Dixon  and  E.  A.  Morgan.  E.  A.  Morgan  is  church  clerk, 
Double  Shoals,   K  C, 

The  New  Bethel  church  has  been  the  foster  mother  of 
brethren  I.  M.  Williams,  P.  R.  Elam,  J.  A.  Beam  and  A.  T. 
Hord  The  two  latter  of  whom  are  now  students  at  Wake 
Forest  College,  and  licentiates  of  the  church  to  preach  the  un- 
searchable riches  of  Christ,  while  the  first  two  named  have 
been  engaged  in  ministerial  work  since  1855.  Annual  con- 
tribution  to  pastor,  mission  etc.,  §231.05. 


New  Hope  Church  is  situated  in  Cleveland  county  N. 
G.  on  tbe  Ross  Ferrv  road  about  seven  miles  nearlv  south  of 
Shelby;  and  four  miles  nearly  west  from  Whitaker  station  on 
the  Air  Line  railway.  A  presbyterv  consisting  of  Elders  T. 
Dixon,  T.  II.  Mullinax,  L.  H.  McSwain,  G.  M.  Webb,  A,  C, 
Dixon  and  P.  R.  Elam,  together  with  deacons  from  several 
of  the  churches  around  was  convened  August  1874,  and 
proceeded  to  constitute  161  persons  mostly  dismissed  from 
other  churches,  (and  those  having  joined  this  arm  of  Buffalo,) 
into  a  regular  church   to   be  hereafter  known  bv  the  name 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  505 

and  style  of  New  Hope  Baptist  church.  Elder  T.Dixon  was 
chosen  pastor;  and  A.  Earls,  James  McSwain  and  J.  II. 
Austell  were  chosen  the  first  deacons;  andL.  M.  Logan  clerk 
of  the  church.  This  church  now  numbers  247  members  and 
has  a  Sabbath  school  of  fifty  scholars,  superintended  by  W. 
M.  Francis. 

No  contributions  for  any  object  only  the  publishing  of 
minutes  appear  reported.  Elder  T.  Dixon  was  pastor  until 
1882,  Elder  P.  K,  Elam  was  then  chosen,  and  is  now 
pastor.  The  present  corps  of  deacons  are  brethren  K.  E. 
Harrill,  J.  H,  Austell,  J  as,  McSwain,  A.  Earls.  A.  I.  Borders 
is  clerk  of  the  church,  Erwinsville,  N.  C.  The  New  Hope 
church  licensed  Elder  P.  S,  Mullirio  to  preach  the  gospel 
who  was  afterwards  ordained  by  Mount  Sinai.  The  brethren 
here  enjoy  protracted  meetings;  and  are  hospitable  to  strangers 
and  tolerably  prompt  in  their  attendance  on  divine  worship. 


New  Prospect  Church  is  situated  in  Cleveland  county 
N.  C.  on  the  road  leading  from  Shelby  to  Lincoluton  via.  of 
Beam's  Mills  on  main  Buffalo  creek.  The  church  being 
only  about  two  hundred  yards  east  of  where  the  road  crosses 
the  creek,  and  about  eight  miles  northeasterly  from  Shelby. 
The  organization  of  this  church  resulted  chiefly  from  the 
labors  of  El-ders  T.  Dixon,  W.  Hill  and  J.  Suttle;  and  was 
constituted  October  6th,  1854,  numbering  then  eighty-five 
members;  being  the  proceeds  mostly  of  protracted  meetings 
held  some  time  previously.  Elder  T.  Dixon  was  chosen 
pastor  of  the  church,  and  brethren  J:  C.  Hoyle,  J.  L.(  Bed- 
ford, Andrew  Beam,  V.  H.  Elliott  and  J.  P.  Wilson  were 
chosen  the  first  deacons,  and  J.  C.  Hoyle  church  clerk.  The 
locality  of  New  Prospect  is  some  what  broken,  but  not  in- 
accessible, the  church  is  situated,  too,  in  a  fertile  and  popu- 
lous section  of  country,  where  there  is  ample  material  for 
large  congregations.  The  people  are  neaily  all  of  the  Baptist 
persuasion,  and  seem  to  have  no  relish  for  anything  but  the 
plain  old  Gospel  of  their  fathers.  It  is  no  place  for  new  isms  to 
take  root  and  develop  their  pernicious  influences. 

In  1863,  for  reasons  satisfactory  to  the  church,  she  took  a 
letter  of  dismission  from  the  King's  Mountain  Association, 
and  joined  the  Broad  River  body;  but  returned  again  in 
1871,  and  is  nowva  worthy  member  of  the  King's  Mountain, 
numbering  at  this  time  282  members,  and  had  a  Sundaj7 
School  in  1881,  of  ninety  scholars  superintended  by  Brother 
W.  J.  Nantz.  Elder  T.  Dixon  has  been  the  pastor  of  New 
Prospect  from  the  time  of  constitution  to  the  present  time 
excepting  the  year  1878;  when  Elder  J.  P.  Styers  was  pastor. 
The   following  are  the  present  corps  of  deacons,  Andrew 

t 


596  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

Beam,  J.  C.  Hoyle,  Alpbeus  Hamrick,  J.  L.  Ledford,  W.  M. 
Alexander  and  Jesse  Herd.  J.  C.  Hoyle  is  the  clerk  of  the 
church,  Shelby  IS".  C. 


Pleasant  Grove  Church  is  situated  in  Cleveland  county, 
N.  C,  on  the  main  road  leading  from  Shelby  to  Morganton, 
about  ten  miles  a  little  northeasterly  from  the  tirst  named 
place. 

This  church  was  formed  through  the  instrumentality  of 
ministerial  labors  dispensed  mostly  by  Elder  J.  P.  Styers 
who  is  now  a  member  of  the  same.  A  presbytery  consisting 
of  Elders  T.  Dixon,  A.  C.  Irvin  and  J.  P.  Styers  was  con- 
vened at  this  beautiful  grove  on  the  11th  of  October,  1878, 
and  fifty-one  persons  from  New  Bethel  church  and  forty-seven 
from  New  Proepect,  making  an  aggregate  of  ninety-eight 
members  were  regularly  constituted  into  a  Baptist  church  to 
be  hereafter  known  by  the  name  and  style  of  the  Pleasant 
Grove  Baptist  Church.  Eider  J.  P.  Styers  was  chosen  pas- 
tor, and  the  following  brethreu  were  subsequently  chosen  as 
deacons:  Andrew  Beam,  Hezekiah  Dedman,  P.  Z.  Carpenter 
and  Rums  W.  Gardner.  Brother  R.  W.  Gardner  was  also 
chosen  church  clerk,  Beam's  Mill,  1ST.  C. 

At  the  session  of  the  King's  Mountain  Association  held 
in  1879  at  New  Prospect,  this  church  through  her  delegates 
H.  Dedman,  P.  Z.  Carpenter,  J.  A.  Hendrick  and  E.  W. 
Gardner  applied  for  membership  in  that  body  and  was  cor- 
dially received.  She  then  reported  159  persons  as  her  mem- 
bership at  the  time  of  admission,  thirty-five  having  been  bap- 
tized into  her,  fellowship  and  seventeen  received  by  letter 
since  she  was  constituted.  She  now  has  a  membership  of 
180  persons  and  reports  a  Sunday  school  of  sixty-five  scholars 
and  has  excellent  prospective  surroundings;  has  a  good  meet- 
ing house  and  a  lot  of  five  acres  of  land  not  easily  excelled 
in  beauty  and  convenience,  while  the  population  around  is 
tolerably  dense  and  well-to-do,  entertaining  too,  pretty  much 
the  same  views  in  matters  pertaining  to  religion.  Her  annual 
contributions  to  pastor  and  missions  are  reported  §145.25. 

The  session  of  the  Association  for  1883  convenes  with 
this  church  and  a  pleasant  time  is  anticipated  by  the  mem- 
bership. May  their  expectations  and  desires  in  that  direc- 
tion be  fully  realied  ! 


Pleasant  Hxll  Church  is  one  of  the  original  constitu- 
ents of  the  King's  mountain  Association;  located  in  Cleveland 
county,  N.  C,  on  the  road  leading  from  Shelby  N.  C.  via. 
Strouo  Bro's  mills  on  main  Buifalo  creek,  and  King's  Moun- 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  597 

tain  Battle  Ground,  to  Yorkville  S.  C.  About  five  and  a 
half  miles  south  east  from  Shelby;  one  half  mile  north  west 
of  Buffalo,  and  eight  auda  half  miles  from  the  Battle  Ground. 

In  the  year  1850,  an  arm  of  the  Zoar  church  was  ex- 
tended to  the  neighborhood  of  this  church,  then  destitute  of 
preaching;  and  religious  services  were  conducted  under  a 
bush  arbor  erected  for  the  occasion;  and  several  ministers,  to 
wit:  Elders  T.  Dixon,  R.  P„  Logan,  L.  IT.  McSwain  and 
brethren  B.  E. and  G.  W.  Rollins,  and  sometimes  J.  M.  Mc- 
:C  raw,  then  Licentiates  frequently  attended  and  preached  for 
the  people  at  this  rude  place.  During  the  period  of  their 
labors  a  considerable  revival  resulted;  and  quite  a  number  of 
persons  joined  by|  experience;  and  it  was  thought  advisable  to 
organize  a  church  there,  whereupon  a  meeting  house  was 
soon  erected  and  a  presbytery  convened  on  the  7th  day  of 
February  1851;  which  being  regularly  organized  by  calling 
Elder  T.  Dixon  to  the  chair  as  moderator  and  Brother  J.  R. 
Logan  to  act  as  secretary,  the  names  of  twenty  nine  persons 
were  then  reported  as  having  been  dismissed  from  the  Zoar 
church  to  become  constituents  of  the  contemplated  new 
church.  Their  articles  of  faith  as  submitted  to  the  presby- 
tery being  examined  and  considered  orthodox,  a  suitable 
church  covenant  was  agreed  on  and  signed  by  the  parties; 
and  upon  a  motion  of  presbytery  they  were  constituted  a 
regular  Baptist  church  of  Christ,  to  be  known  and  distin- 
guished from  other  churches  by  the  name  of  Pleasant  Hill. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  church  on  April  17th  thereafter, 
Henderson  Roberts,  John  Ham  and  Clark  Allen  were  elected 
■deacons  and  Simeon  Putman,  church  clerk.  And  on  the 
18th  July  following  those -chosen  to  the  office  of  deacons 
were  regularly  ordained  by  Elder  R,  P.  Logan  leading  the 
presbytery  in  prayer  and  the  imposition  of  hands.  Brethren 
G.  W.  Rollins  and  J.  M.  McCraw  preached  awhile  for  the 
newchurch,  and  subsequently  Brother  Rollins  was  engaged  to 
continue  his  labors,  which  he  did  regularly  until  1856, Elder 
R.  Poston  was  then  chosen  pastor  for  1856  and  '57.  Bro. 
J.  A.  Roberts  had  been  chosen  church  clerk  on  6th  May 
1854,  on  July  4th  '56  brothers  J.  A.  Roberts,  D.  R,  Bell  and 
S.  A.  Wilson  having  been  previously  elected  deacons  were 
ordained  by  Elders  T.  Dixon,  R.  Poston  and  others.  Elder 
A.  A.  McSwain  was  at  this  meeting  chosen  pastor  and  served 
the  church  in  1858  and  '59.  Elder  J.  Suttle  was  chosen  pas- 
tor in  '60,  and  Elder  D.  Wray  in  '61  and  '62,  Elder  G.  "W. 
Rollins  in  '63,  in  '64  Elder  D.  Wray  was  again  chosen  pastor 
and  continued  in  that  relationship  through  the  year  '65  and 
'66.  The  war  between  the  States  had  made  sad  havoc  of  the 
membership  of  this  church;  no  less  thau  twenty  of  the  male 


598  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHESv 

members  were  killed  or  sickened  and  died;  amongst  whom< 
was  deacon  Clark  Allen,  who  fell  at  the  battle  of  Manassas,, 
in  Virginia.  Elder  T.  Dixon  was  again  chosen  pastor  for 
1867,  Elder  R.  P.  Logan  succeeded  him  in  '68  and  '69,  in 
'70  the  church  engaged  the  sendees  of  Elder  G.  M.  Webb,. 
who  still  remains  the  pastor  to  this  present  time  (1882);  and 
it  is  hoped  there  will  not  be  so  many  changes  hereafter. 

On  the  2nd  day  of  May,  1879,  brothers  David  Allen,  D. 
T.  Dover,  W.  A.  J.  Hamrick  and  M.  L.  Putnam  having; 
been  previously  elected  by  the  church  were  ordained  to  the 
office  of  deacon  by  Elders  T.  Dixon,  P.  R.  Elam  and  others 
as  a  presbyter^7. 

The  present  acting  corps  of  deacons  are  brothers  J.  A. 
Roberts,  S.  A.  Wilsom  D.  Allen,  D.  T.  Dover,  W.  A.  J. 
Hamrick  and  M.  L.  Putnam.  J.  A.  Roberts,  church  clerk., 
Durbro,  K  C. 

At  present  the  church  numbers  247  members,  has  an- 
evergreen  Sunday  school  of  fifty  scholars  superintended  by 
Brother  J.  A.  Roberts,  which  appears  to  be  doing  much  good 
in  imparting  to  the  scholars  Biblical  instruction  and  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  vocal  music.  The  Bible  in  conec- 
tion  with  the  denominational  Sunday  school  literature  of  the- 
Baptists  is  the  only  thing  used  in  the  school. 

The  Pleasant  Hill  church  is  an  active  progressive  insti- 
tution, prompt  in  the  discharge  of  christian  duties,  and  es- 
pecially so  in  their  attention  to  divine  worship  at  the  sanctu- 
ary, liberal  in  supporting  their  pastor  and  home  and  foreign 
missions,  and  indeed  every  other  laudable  enterprise,  having 
for  its  object  the  spread  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  according  to 
the  ability  with  which  God  has  blessed  them.  When  we 
first  became  acquainted  with  thePlensant  Hill  church,  which 
was  in  its  first  incipiency  and  organization,  it  wTas  certainly 
verv  feeble  and  hardlv  self-sustaining;,  but  it  is  now  through 
the  providence  of  God  and  its  own  praise-worthy  exertions 
one  among  the  best  and  most  energetic  of  the  King's  Moun- 
tain churches.  Since  it  organization  in  1851  it  has  enjoyed 
many  refreshing  seasons  and  precious  revivals.  May  it  en- 
joy many  more  and  prove  a  fruitful  and  fostering  mother  of 
other  churches  in  the  future  !  Annual  contributions  to  pas- 
tor, missions,  etc.,  $162.25. 


Ross'  Grove  Church  is  situated  in  Cleveland  county,  N. 
C,  about  2  miles  northeasterly  from  the  town  of  Shelby. 
Fifty-seven  persons  living  convenient  to  this  place,  being 
mostly  members  of  Zion,  Shelby  and  other  churches  around, 
through  the  ministerial  labors  of  Elders  A.  L.  Stough,  J.  P. 
Styers,  R.  Poston  and  others  covenanted  together,  and  peti- 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  $S 

rioned  the  Zion  church  to  extend  to  them  an  arm  to  receive 
members  with  the  view  to  the  organization  of  a  church, 
which  request  was  granted,  and  after  some  profitable  labors 
were  dispensed  among  them  a  presbytery  consisting  of 
Elders  R.  Poston,- A.  C.  Irvin,  A.  A.  McSwain,  J.  P.  Styers 
together  with  several  deacons  from  the  surroundine:  churches 
•was  convened  on  the  30th  of  September,  1881,  and  a  regular 
Baptist  church  was  constituted  to  be  known  by  the  name 
and  style  of  R<ks'  Grove  church,  whereupon    Brother  R.  Y. 


Weathers  was  ordained  a  deacon  and  C.  C.  Wilson  appointed 
clerk  of  the  church.  At  the  late  session  of  the  King's  Moun- 
tain Association  (in  1882)  this  church  being  repesented  by 
brethren  R.  Y.  Weathers  and  H.  Dedman  asked  for  admis- 
sion and  was  received  as  a  member  of  that  body.  They  are 
yet  without  a  pastor,  but  reports  a  flourishing  Sunday  school 
superintended  by  H.  Dedman  of  87  scholars.  Annual  con- 
tribution for  missions  reported  $4.10. 


Sandy  Run  Church  was  once  a  member  of  the  Bethel 
Association,  a  body  organized  in  1879;  but  in  1800  she  became 
a  constituent  member  of  the  Broad  River  Association,  organ- 
ized that  year.  According  to  the  historian,  Benedict,  the 
'Sandy  Run  church  was  constituted  in  the  year  1788;  which 
is  probably  correct;  although  a  later  writer,  Elder  D. 
Scruggs,  gives  1772  as  the  proper  date.  If  the  latter  date  be 
correct,  there  was  probably  some  defect  or  informality  in  the 
first  presbyterial  trial  proceedings,  as  in  the  case  of  Buffalo 
church;  which  was  afterwards  rectified  in  1788.  The  church 
is  situated  in  what  is  now  Cleveland  county,  formerly  Ruth- 
erford county  N.  C.  a  short  distance  south  of  the  main  public 
road  leading  from  Shelby  to  Rutherfordton.  about  ten  miles 
from  Shelby,  and  in  the  suburbs  of  a  little  town  by  the  name 
of  Mooresboro,  about\one  mile  west  of  Sandy  Run  creek; 
from  which  stream  the  church  derived  its  name.  Tradition, 
(in  the  absence  of  published  records)  says  the  Broad  River 
Association  was  organized  at  this  church;  which  is  doubtless 
true  from  other  circumstances. 

Elder  Drury  Dobbins,  appears  to  have  been  the  pastor 
from  1803  to  the  year  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1847 
— a  pastorate  of  forty  four  years- — and  during  that  long 
period,  it  is  said  he  scarcely  ever  failed  to  till  his  pulpit  ac- 
cording to  his  appointments.  About  the  year  1842,  an 
attempt  was  made,  (which  to  some  extent  succeeded)  by  a 
"Primitive"  minister,  to  draw  off  a  portion  of  this  church,  , 
with  a  view  to"  the  organization  of  a  church  of  the  Primitive 
order,  a  church  of  that  kind  was  constituted  in  the  vicinity 
of  Sandy  Run,  and   several   of  the  members  joined,  two  of 


mo  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES; 

■ 

whom  were  afterwards  ordained  ministers  of  that  order.  The 
defection  however,  was  not  extensive  and  it  is  believed  has- 
about  died  out  entirely.  Some  at  this  day  allege  that  Elder 
Drury  Dobbius  was  a  Primitive,  but  such  do  greatly  err~ 
The  first  deacons  of  this  old  church  are  not  now  certainly 
known;  brethren  VVm.  McKinney,  David  Beam  and  J. 
Huckaby  were  certainly  deacons  in  the  days  of  yore;  and 
Daniel  Gold  was  an  old  clerk.  The  Sandy  Run  church  now 
numbers  304  persons  in  fellowship;  and  has  a  Sunday  school, 
of  seventy  scholar,  superintended  by  J.  E.  Green.  Her  last 
years  contributions  to  pastor,  missions  etc.  (as  reported)  is  put 
at  $19.  The  present  corps  of  deacons  are  brethren  W.  B. 
Stroud,  J.  H.  Jones, M.  D.  Padgett,  B.  B.  Harris,  J.  H. Beam,, 
Robt.  McBraver  and  W.  B.  Lovelace.  Brother  W,B.  Love- 
lace  is  the  church  clerk,  Mooresboro  N.  C.  Elder  J.  S.  Ezell 
since  Elder  D.  Dobbin's  death  was  pastor  in  1848-49,  Elder 
T.  Dixon  in  '50,  Elder  J„  S.  Ezell  in  '51-2,  T.  Dixon  till  '54„ 
Elder  J.  Suttle  till  '55,  Elder  G.  W.  Rollins  till  '66,  Elder  J. 
i:S.  Ezell  till  '69,  Elder  G.  W.  Rollins  till  '79,  Elder  T.  Dixon 
till  '82.  Elder  A.  A.  McSwain  was  sent  into  the  gospel 
ministry  by  this  church,  who  proves  a  faithful  and  useful- 
laborer  in  the  Lord's  vineyard. 


Shady  Grove  Church  is  situated  in  Gaston  county  N.  C, 
on  the  road  leading  from  Cherryville  station  on  the  Carolina 
Central  railroad  to  Dallas;  about  three  miles  south  easterly 
from  the  said  station.  The  following  named  persons  having 
been  dismissed  from  Moun^  Zion  church  for  the  purpose  of 
organizing  a  new  church  affording  more  convenience  in  at- 
tending  public  worship.  I.  P.  Hicks,  Mary  Hick,  Noah 
Mauney,  Catherine  Mauney,  John  Neill,  James  Snead,  M. 
L.  Hullett.  M.  L.  Neill,  Jacob  Brilheardt,  C.  M.  Crowder, 
James  Faris,  Samuel  Faris,  R.  B.  Hicks,  J.  G.  Taylor,  0. 
Eaker,  J.  A.  Hoyle,  E.  L.  Faris,  sfarah  Brilheardt,  Lydia 
Stroup,  Sarah  Beam,  P.  C.  McGiunas,  M.  E.  Black,  Sarah 
Brown,  Isabel  Black,  Anna  Black,  Cynthia  Beam,  M.  A. 
Crowder,  Elizabeth  Mauney,  M.  A.  Hullett,  E.  C.  Faris  and 
Elvira  Mauney,  were  on  November  25th  1881,  constituted  a 
regular  Baptist  church  to  be  known  by  the  name  and  style  of 
Shady  Grjve  Baptist  church.  The  presbytery  officiating 
consisting  of  Elders  A.  L.  Stough,  A.  A.  McSwain,  A.  C. 
Irvin,  and  deacons  from  surrounding  churches.  Brother  J. 
A.  Hoyle  a  constituent  member,  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry  June  16th  1882,  and  chosen  pastor  of 
the  church,  and  Noah  Mauney,  M.  L.  Hullett  and  James 
Faris  were  ordained  deacons  to  act  with  brother  I.  P.  Hicks, 
who  was  formerly  a  deacon  of  Mount  Zion;  and  M.  L.  Hullett 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  ml 

was  chosen  to  act  as  church  clerk,  Cherryville  X.  C.  This 
church  when  admitted  into  the  King's  Mountain  Association 
reported  a  membership  of  forty  one  persons,  and  a  Sunday 
school  of  11(3  scholars,  superintended  by  S.  R.  W.  Faris  in 
good  working  order.  Annual  contributions  to  pastor,  mis- 
sions etc.  S14.10. 


Shelby  Church  is  situated  in  the  North  west  square  of 
the  town  of  Shelby,  fronting  LaFayette  street  on  the  east 
side,  on  a  lot  of  100  by  200  feet.  In  the  year  1816,  a  meet- 
ing house  was  erected  for  public  worship,  and  religious 
services  were  conducted  at  various  times  by  Elders  D.  Dob- 
bins, J.  M.  Webb  and  others,  until  on  the  19th  day  of  June 
1847  a  presbytery  was  convened  consisting  of  Elders  Drury 
Dobbins,  J.  M.  Webb  and  several  other  ministers  and  dea- 
cons from  the  surrounding  churches,  and  25  persons  dis- 
missed from  other  churches  aiound,  were  constituted  a  regular 
Baptist  church  of  Christ,  to  be  known  by  the  name  and 
style  of  the  Shelby  Baptist  Church. 

Brethren  William  Roberts,  J.  R.  Logan  and  David 
Warlick  were  the  first  deacons,  Dr.  Thomas  Williams,  the 
clerk  of  the  church.  Elder  James  M.  Webb  was  chosen 
pastor,  and  William  Roberts  and  J.  R.  Logan  appointed 
delegates  to  represent  the  church  in  the  Broad  River  Asso- 
ciation, (which  convened  at  Zoar,  October  15th  1847.)  and 
ask  for  admission  into  that  body,  and  the  church  was  received 
accordingly  at  that  session. 

The  Shelby  church  has  had  several  pastors,  serving  at 
different  times  since  her  organization;  Elder  J.  M.  Webb  in 
1847-48-49,  Elder  M.  C.  Barnett  in  '50-51.  After  joining  the 
King's  Mountain  Association  in  1856  she  called  to  the  pas- 
torate Elder  A.  J.  Cansler,  in  '57  Elder  T.  Dixon,  in  '58  the 
church  had  no  pastor,  in  '59  Elder  T.  Dixon  was  again  pas- 
tor and  the  church  was  dismissed  from  the  King's  Mountain 
Association.  She  again  joined  the  Broad  River  Association 
in  1863  and  remained  until  the  session  of  '71,  when  she  was 
dismissed  from  said  body  to  rejoin  the  King's  Mountain;  of 
which  body  she  is  now  an  active  progressive  and  worthy 
member;  having  had  Elders  E.  A.  Crawly,  T.  R.  Gaines,  W. 
Hill,  M.  C.  Barnett,  N.  B.  Cobb,  and  more  recently,  W.  A. 
Xelson,  as  her  pastor;  during  which  time  the  church  has 
been  greatly  revived  and  built  up,  her  present  membership 
exceeding  200  persons.  She  has  an  evergreen  Sabbath 
school  of  240  scholars  well  equipped  and  in  good  progressive 
working  order. 

Most  of  all,  this  church  is  worthy  of  praise  for  the  noble 
efforts  thev  have  made  in  behalf  of  Female   Education,    as 
70 


602  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

manifested  in  the  erection  of  the  Shelby  Female  Seminary; 
which  stands  out  in  bold  relief  not 'only  as  an  honor  to  the 
church,  but  to  the  Baptist  denomination  in  the  section  of  its 
locality. 

The  church  has  a  live  corps  of  deacons  consisting  of  W. 
W,  Green,  L.  H".  Durham,  Thos.  D.  Lattimore,  J.  S.  Wray 
and  J.  A.  Parker.  A.  R.  Eskridge  clerk  of  the  church, 
Shelby  N.  C,  and  T.  D.  Lattimore  treasurer.  W.  A.Nelson 
D.  D.  is  the  present  pastor  of  the  church,  who  proves  a  host 
within  himself  in  point  of  administrative  talent.  Annual 
contributions  to  pastor,  missions,  education  etc.  $1680.93. 

*  State  Line  Church  (Whitaker)  is  located  in  Cleveland 
county  N.  C.  on  the  northside  of  the  line  dividing  North 
and  South  Carolina,  and  a  few  paces  north  of  the  Air  Line 
Railway,  in  the  town  of  Whitaker,  which  is  a  little  south  of 
the  road  leading  from  Shelby  to  Yorkville  S.  C.  via.  King's 
Mountain  Battle  Ground,  about  ten  miles  southeasterly 
from  Shelby. 

The  King's  Mountain  church  of  recent  organization, 
near  the  Battle  Ground,  together  with  several  members  of 
other  churches  around,  finding  this  place  more  accessible 
and  convenient  in  other  respects  for  the  observance  of  public 
worship,  united  together  and  on  the  23rd  of  November  1878 
was  constituted  a  regular  Baptist  church  to  be  known  by  the 
name  and  style  of  the  State  Line  Baptist  church.  The  pres- 
bytery officiating  were  Elders  L.  H,  McSwain,  A.  A.  Mc- 
Swain, T.  H.  Mullinax  together  with  the  deacons  of  several 
churches.  At  the  session  of  the  King's  Mountain  Associa- 
tion in  1879  this  church  was  admitted  to  membership  in  that 
body.  Elder  L.  H.  McSwain  was  called  to  the  pastorate  and 
continued  until  1880;  Elder  G.  P.  Hamrick  succeeded  him 
and  is  still  pastor  of  the  church. 

This  church  when  first  organized  had  62  members,  and 
now  numbers  154;  has  a  good  house  of  worship,  and  an  in- 
teresting Sunday  school  of  seventy  scholars,  superintended 
by  W.  R.  Turner.  Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  L.  M. 
Hardin,  R.  C.  Gladden,  Henderson  Whisnant,  W.  H.  Car- 
roll, F.  H.  Bridges,  B.  F.  Turner  and  E.  B.  McSwain,  Bro. 
Columbus  Wilson  is  the  church  clerk,  Whitaker,  S.  C.  The 
annual  contributions  to  pastor,  missions  etc.  reported  $183. 
The  town  is  improving  and  the  population  increasing.  Why 
then  should  not  the  future  prospects  of  the  church  be  good  ? 

*  Note. — The  name  of  the  church  and  town  has  been  changed 
to  G  rover. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES.  603 

Wall's  Church  is  situated  in  Rutherford  county  1ST.  C. 
four  miles  southeasterly  from  Carson's  Mills,  near  the  Piney 
Mountain  road,  and  was  formerly  one  of  the  Green  River 
churches;  but  joined  the  King's  Mountain  Association  in 
1855.  This  church  was  constituted  by  a  presbytery  consist- 
ing of  Elders  M.  Pannell,  L.McCurrie,James  Webb  and  Jas. 
Crowder  on  the  21st  day  of  September  1844  and  after  joining 
King's  Mountain  Elder  G.  W.  Rollins  was  chosen  pastor 
from  1856  to  '59,  Elder  D.  Pannell  was  pastor  in  '60,  when 
the  church  seceded  and  joined  others  in  organizing  the 
"Constitutional  Association;"  which  lived  until  1866,  and 
the  matters  in  dispute  were  settled  by  a  convention  of 
churches  that  year.  The  church  returned  to  the  regular  body 
in  1867  and  has  remained  a  member  ever  since.  Elder  J. 
H.  Yorboro  was  her  pastor  in  1867,  Elder  Wm.  McSwain 
was  chosen  for  '68  to  '75,  Elder  R.  Poston  in  '76  to  '80,  E1-. 
der  H.  D.  Harrill  in  '81  and  '82. 

The  present  corps  of  deacons  are  brethren  Samuel 
Bridges,  C.  B.  Walker,  J.  P.  Green,  and  B.  Melton.  John 
AVomaek  is  the  church  clerk,  Oak  Springs  N",  C.  The  pres- 
ent membership  of  Wall's  is  128  persons;  no  report  appears 
of  Sunday  school  or  contributions  to  any  object,  but  the 
publication  of  minutes.  The  temperance  and  missionary 
questions  have  heretofore  met  considerable  opposition  in 
this  church,  which  has  doubtless  retarded  its  progress  some 
what  in  the  past. 


Zion  Church  was  one  of  the  Broad  River  churches,  situ- 
ated in  Cleveland  countv  1ST.  C.  and  is  about  six  miles  nearly 
north  from  the  town  of  Shelby;  and  a  mile  nearly  west  ot 
Weather's  mill  on  First  Broad  River.  This  church  was  con- 
stituted on  Saturday  before  the  first  Sunday  in  September 
1816,  by  Elders  Drury  Dobbins  and  Berryman  Hicks,  to- 
gether with  deacons  from  the  surrounding  churches.  Elder 
Drury  Dobbins  was  chosen  pastor,  and  served  until  1847  the 
year  of  his  death. 

Brethren  Samuel  Bailev,  Wm.  Covington  and  David 
Warlick  were  ordained  the  first  deacons;  and  David  Warlick 
the  church  clerk.  This  church  in  1851  was  dismissed  from 
the  Broad  River  Association  and  became  a  constituent  mem- 
ber of  the  King's  Mountain  body  in  its  organization,  and  has 
remained  a  member  thereof  ever  since.  When  constituted 
it  had  30  members,  and  now  has  167.  When  we  take  into 
consideration  the  many  souls  that  have  passed  through  this 
church  to  their  eternal  rewards,  and  the  man}7  others  that 
have  been  dismissed  to  ioin  other  churches,  some  in  the  far 


604  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  CHURCHES. 

west  while  others  have  become  constituents  of  new  churches 
at  home,  we  can  truly  say  that  Zion  has  been  a  "nursing 
mother,"  and  answered  well  the  purpose  other  organization. 
Many  will  come  from  the  North  and  from  the  South,  from 
the  East  and  from  the  West  and  call  her  blessed,  because  of 
the  fostering  care  she  has  exercised  over  them.  Since  the 
demise  of  Elder  Drury  Dobbins  Zion  has  had  several  pastors. 
Elder  T,  Dixon  was  in  the  pastorate  until  1854,  Elder  R. 
Poston  until  '56,  when  Elder  A.  J.  Cansler  was  in  '56,  Elder 
R.  Poston  was  then  pastor  till  y66,  Elder  J.  EL  Yarboro  till 
'67,  then  Elder  R.  Posten  again  until  '70,  Elder  L.  C.  Ezell 
till  '73,  Elder  J.'H.  Yarboro  a^ain  till  '75,  Elder  R.  Posten 
till  '76,  Elder  A.  C.  Irvin  till  '80,  Elder  J,  P,  Styers  till  1882. 

The  present  corps  of  deacons  are  J.  D.  Weathers,  A.  J. 
Irvin,  Daniel  Poston  and  A.  G.  Weathers.  She  has  a  Sunday 
school  superintended  by  S.  L.  Gillespie  of  90  scholars,  and  of 
much  usefulness  in  framing  the  young.  A.  J.  Irvin  is  clerk 
of  the  church,  Shelby,  N.  0. 

Zion  is  the  foster  mother  of  Elders  R.  Poston,  J.  Suttle 
and  A.  (J.  Irvin;  who  have  proved  worthy  and  useful  minis- 
ters ot  the  Kind's  Mountain  Association. 

Annual  contributions  to  pastor;  missions  eta  $157.30. 


Zoar  Church  is  situated  in  Cleveland  county,  N.  C,  on 
the  public  road  leading  from  Shelby  to  Spartanburg,  S.  C, 
about  three  miles  southwesterly  from  Shelby,  and  about  one 
mile  nearly  east  from  Elliott's  bridge  on  First  Broad  river. 

In  the  year  1837  Elder  James  M.  Thomas  of  the  Moriah 
Association  preached  several  times  at  a  stand  erected  for 
public  worship  near  the  present  Zoar  meeting  house  with  ap- 
parent good  success,  whereupon,  several  brethren  meeting 
together  resolved  to  build  a  house,  and  solicited  the  Buffalo 
church  to  extend  an  arm  to  receive  members  with  the  view 
to  the  constitution  of  a  church  of  the  Baptist  faith  and  order. 
The  house  was  soon  thereafter  erected  and  several  persons 
received  and  baptized. 

On  the  7th  of  September  1838,  a  presbytery  consisting 
of  Elders  Drury  Dobbins  and  E.  M.  Chaftin  and  the  deacons 
from  the  neighboring  churches  around  was  convened,  and 
Elder  E.  M.  (Jhaffiri  and  wife  Susan  Chaffiin,  James  Love  and 
Susan  Love,  Elias  Putman  and  Nancy  Putman,  Barnett  Put- 
man  and  Ursula  Putman,  J.  R.  Logan  and  Sarah  P.  Logan, 
Francis  Adams  and  Cynthia  Adams,  Jane  Hogue,  R.  L.  Dog- 
gett,  Esther  Irvine,  Win.  McEntire,  Elizabeth  S.  Alexander, 
Roberts  Putman  and  Susan  Putman,  Maria  Wesson,  Lucinda 
Sanders,  Jemima  McEntire,  A.  J.  McBrayer,  Willis  Putman 
and  Elizabeth  Putman  were    constituted   a    regular  Baptist 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF   CHURCHES.  605 

church  of  Christ  to  be  known  by  the  name  as  above  stated. 
Elder  E.  M.  Chaffin  was  chosen  pastor  and  brethren  James 
Love,  J.  R.  Logan  and  Roberts  Putman  were  ordained  the 
first  deacons,  and  J.  R.  Logan  clerk  of  the  church.  The  fore- 
going members  were  partly!  from  Buffalo,  Zion  and  Antioch 
churches.  \ 

This  church  was  afterwards  supplied  at  various  times 
by  Elders  T.  K.  Pursley,  R,  P.  Logan,  W.  Hill,  T.  Dixon,  J. 
Suttle,  B.  Bonner,  J.  H.  Yarboro,  D.  Hilliarcl,  W.  W.  Gwyn, 
G.  M.  Webb,  J.  A.  White  and  probably  others. 

Although  Zoar  is  a  feeble  church,  she  has  enjoyed  sev- 
eral revivals  and  many  precions  souls  have  been  saved  through 
her  instrumentality.  She  numbers  at  present  93  members, 
and  has  a  Sabbath  school  of  thirty  members,  superintended 
by  Miss  Emily  Iiogue  to  much  profit. 

Her  present  corps  of  deacons  are  P.  D.  Wilson,  S.  W. 
Hughes,  M.  O.  McEntire,  Joseph  Weaver,  A.  R.  Henry  and 
A.  R.  Putman.  S.  W.  Hughes,  clerk  of  the  church,  Shelby, 
N".  C.  Annual  contributions  to  pastor,  missions,  etc'.,  not 
reported. 


THE    ENL». 


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S™,°FNCAT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00022381717 


This  book  may  be  kept  out  one  month  unless  a  recall 
notice  is  sent  to  you.  It  must  be  brought  to  the  North 
Carolina  Collection  (in  Wilson  Library)  for  renewal. 


MTORUBRARY  CENTER 


Farm  No.  A-369 


